Advanced Photo Editing and Exporting Course

Lesson 1 • Understanding Digital Image Fundamentals

Covers pixels, resolution, bit depth, and color modes. Establishes the technical vocabulary needed for every editing decision in the course.

Lesson 2 • Color Theory for Photo Editors

Explains hue, saturation, luminance, and color relationships. Applying color theory enables intentional, visually coherent edits.

Lesson 3 • Navigating the Editing Workspace

Introduces the layout of a professional photo editor, including panels, toolbars, and menus. Efficient navigation reduces editing time and errors.

Lesson 1 • Levels and Tonal Range Control

Explains input and output levels for setting black and white points. Precise levels adjustments maximize tonal range without clipping.

Lesson 2 • Contrast and Tone Curve Mastery

Introduces the tone curve as a precise contrast tool. Students apply S-curves and custom curves to achieve professional tonal depth.

Lesson 3 • Exposure and Brightness Adjustments

Covers exposure sliders, brightness controls, and their effect on image data. Proper exposure correction preserves detail across the tonal range.

Lesson 4 • Dodging and Burning Techniques

Applies localized lightening and darkening to guide viewer attention. These techniques add dimension and polish to tonal corrections.

Lesson 1 • White Balance Correction

Covers auto, preset, and manual white balance methods. Accurate white balance is the foundation of all subsequent color work.

Lesson 2 • Creative Color Grading Workflows

Applies color grading techniques used in cinematic and editorial photography. Students build a repeatable grading workflow for consistent results.

Lesson 3 • Hue, Saturation, and Luminance Controls

Teaches targeted HSL adjustments for individual color channels. Selective color control enables precise corrections without affecting the whole image.

Lesson 4 • Color Balance and Split Toning

Introduces color balance tools and split toning for shadows and highlights. These techniques create mood and stylistic consistency across images.

Lesson 1 • Advanced Masking with Hair and Fur

Applies Select and Mask, channel-based masking, and edge refinement for complex subjects. Mastering fine detail extraction is critical for compositing work.

Lesson 2 • Layer Masks for Non-Destructive Editing

Covers creating, painting, and refining layer masks. Masks allow precise localized edits while preserving original image data.

Lesson 3 • Selection Tools and Techniques

Introduces marquee, lasso, magic wand, and quick selection tools. Accurate selections are the prerequisite for all mask-based editing.

Lesson 4 • Layer Fundamentals and Blending Modes

Explains layer stacking, opacity, and blending modes. Layers enable non-destructive, flexible editing at every stage of a project.

Lesson 1 • Skin Retouching Best Practices

Teaches frequency separation, texture preservation, and natural skin editing. Retouching skin without destroying texture is a key professional skill.

Lesson 2 • Eye and Teeth Enhancement

Applies targeted brightening, sharpening, and color correction to eyes and teeth. Subtle enhancements elevate portrait quality without looking artificial.

Lesson 3 • Liquify and Warp Adjustments

Introduces the Liquify tool for reshaping and refining subject proportions. Used with restraint, these tools enhance composition and subject presentation.

Lesson 4 • Healing and Cloning Tools

Covers the healing brush, spot healing brush, and clone stamp for removing distractions. These tools form the core of any retouching workflow.

Lesson 1 • Unsharp Mask and Smart Sharpen

Covers amount, radius, and threshold controls in Unsharp Mask and Smart Sharpen. Precise parameter control produces clean, artifact-free sharpening.

Lesson 2 • Noise Reduction Methods

Teaches luminance and color noise reduction using built-in and dedicated tools. Effective noise reduction preserves detail while eliminating grain and chroma noise.

Lesson 3 • Output Sharpening for Different Media

Covers sharpening strategies for screen, print, and social media output. Matching sharpening to the output medium ensures optimal final image quality.

Lesson 4 • High-Pass Sharpening Technique

Applies the high-pass filter on a separate layer for non-destructive sharpening. This method offers precise control and easy adjustment after the fact.

Lesson 1 • Background Replacement Techniques

Covers extracting subjects and placing them on new backgrounds seamlessly. Realistic background replacement requires precise masking and color matching.

Lesson 2 • Blending Exposures and HDR

Applies exposure blending and HDR merging to extend dynamic range. These techniques recover detail in both highlights and shadows simultaneously.

Lesson 3 • Creative Filters and Texture Overlays

Introduces filters, textures, and overlays to add mood and style. Creative effects are applied non-destructively for maximum flexibility.

Lesson 4 • Compositing Workflow Fundamentals

Establishes a structured approach to planning and assembling composite images. A clear workflow prevents errors and speeds up complex multi-layer projects.

Lesson 1 • File Naming, Organization, and Delivery

Covers systematic file naming, folder structures, and client delivery methods. Professional organization prevents file loss and streamlines client handoff.

Lesson 2 • Print Export and Resolution Standards

Teaches PPI requirements, TIFF and PDF export, and print color profiles. Meeting print resolution standards ensures sharp, color-accurate physical output.

Lesson 3 • Batch Export and Automation

Applies actions, droplets, and export presets to process large image sets efficiently. Automation reduces repetitive tasks and ensures consistent output settings.

Lesson 4 • Export Settings for Web and Screen

Covers JPEG, PNG, and WebP export settings optimized for digital platforms. Proper web export balances file size and visual quality for fast loading.