Learn Photoshop: Get started with the basics and open a whole new world of photo retouching!

  • Step up your creativity through step-by-step instruction by a professional designer and experienced educator

  • Learn the interface and fundamental aspects of Photoshop for photographers

  • Enhance and correct photos using basic tone, colour and other adjustment tools

  • Effectively work with Photoshop layers, masks and selections

  • Correctly resize, crop and save your images for web and print

  • Edit different genres using sample images in the classroom under guidance

About the Basic Photoshop Course (Photoshop 101)

We cover Photoshop’s interface and layout extensively while focusing on the key aspects related to photo editing. Learn the fundamental aspects of photo editing through step-by-step instruction, from basic retouching to making your images ready for print or web use.

Course details

  • Small and friendly classes with a maximum of 12 people.
  • Photoshop for beginners. Learn basic to intermediate aspects of photo editing using Photoshop.
  • Class material: Image files covering various genres, Photoshop actions, video tutorials, cheat sheets, a step-by-step guide covering all the reference edits done in class and more.

Those of you who want to be serious photographers have to edit your work. You are going to have to understand what you are doing. You are going to have to not just shoot, shoot, shoot. To stop and look at your work is the most important thing you can do.

Annie Leibovitz

Key aspects

The most important aspects covered in the Photoshop 101 Course:

  • Overview of Photoshop’s interface, layouts and toolboxes.
  • Interfacing images from Lightroom to Photoshop.
  • Setting up Photoshop and optimise the interface for photo editing.
  • Work with third-party plug-ins.
  • Making selections, using layers and masks.
  • Fundamental retouching using levels and curves.
  • Introduction to dodging and burning.
  • Cropping and resizing images for web, screen and print.
  • Adding text, logos and borders.
  • Professional sharpening techniques.
  • Basic editing for beauty portraits, landscape and wildlife images.
  • Basic frequency separation.
  • Removing unwanted elements and adding elements.
  • Basic deep etching techniques.
  • Adding textured overlays.
  • Basic colour, tone and mood.
  • Creating an action in Photoshop.

Who is this course for?

Photoshop 101 is an introductory course designed for photographers who have little or no experience with Photoshop.

Course duration

2-Day weekend workshop.

Requirements

  • You will need a computer or laptop with a working copy of Photoshop 2020 or higher.
  • If you do not already have Photoshop, we recommend Adobe’s Photography plan (20GB) for $9.99 per month, which include Photoshop, Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and 20GB of cloud storage. Please note that subscribing to the Photography plan will not automatically install Photoshop and you will have to install it separately from the Creative Cloud App.
  • You can get the Photography Plan (20GB) here.
  • Attendees should have basic computer skills and be able to navigate their desktop and file system, copy and paste, select files, etc.
  • At least 20 GB free disk space for course material.
  • If you are in the process of buying a computer or laptop, we strongly recommend that you read the article The Best Computer for Photo Editing. Feel free to contact our office if you need advice.

Beyond the Basic Photoshop Course

DPC offers an Advanced Photoshop Course for photographers who have completed the Basic Photoshop Course or have already mastered the Key Aspects listed above.

Cost

R3 100 per person. R600 discount for ex-DPC students. Lunch and refreshments included.

Upcoming Basic Photoshop Courses

  • Dates to be announced