New England School of Photography

From capture to process and enhancement to output, our digital arts courses take you through the full range of digital image making. Utilizing our modern digital classrooms and labs, students will learn the latest techniques to build a body of work for print, web and digital presentation.

Digital imaging workshops are small allowing for personal, hands-on instruction. Each workshop consists of 12 classes, each three hours long—one night a week for 12 weeks unless otherwise indicated. These workshops include both lecture and lab time. You will have access to the appropriate facilities—including the digital imaging classrooms, lab and scanning room, color printing rooms and black and white darkrooms.Digital images facilities are available to workshop students after 5 p.m., Monday–Friday. Weekend (Saturday–Sunday) access to the NESOP digital imaging facility can vary based on usage; for weekend hours, please call    (617) 437-0149 Access to these facilities is based on your workshop status and your compliance with the policies and procedures regarding use of our facilities.

Click here to view the current workshop schedule.

To download a printable registration form, click here.

Digital Arts Course Descriptions

The following is a list of workshops that we currently offer at NESOP and have offered in the past.  If there's a workshop in which you are particularly interested, please let us know!

• Digital Workflow

• Photoshop I: Imaging Tools and Techniques  [ Offered Spring 2008 ]

• Photoshop II: Advanced Layers, Masks and Channels  [ Offered Spring 2008 ]

• Web Design for Photographers  [ Offered Spring 2008 ]

• Digital Printing

• Collage:  From Traditional into the Digital Age

• Advanced Digital Printmaking

[Digital Workflow ]
In this workshop, the student will learn to process a raw file and create an organized workflow. Through hands-on experiences, the student will learn digital workflow techniques from capture to output. The students will work in Adobe Lightroom, a powerful tool built for photographers and by photographers to help solve the challenges of the digital workflow. Participants will learn to process raw files, keyword, and batch process. The course will cover methods for archiving, backing up files, and creating an organized library of images. Students will output contact sheets with captions, basic proof prints, and even discover the creative potential of Lightroom. To get the most out of this class it is recommended that students have an external hard drive that they can bring to class.

Photoshop is both a technical and creative tool. In this workshop, students will not only learn the tools in the Photoshop tool box but also learn techniques to use them in both professional and creative ways. Participants will master the basics of the digital darkroom, including resolution and basic scanning, color and contrast controls and master selection tools. And through discussion, demonstration and hands-on application, they will learn tools and techniques for retouching, digital hand coloring, layers and type. If you are a beginner or a self-taught user, you will find this class gives you a solid foundation and creative insight, going beyond the basics to help you get the most out of Photoshop.

[ Photoshop II:  Advanced Layers, Masks and Channels ]

This is the continuation of Photoshop I. The workshop begins with a review and further exploration of layers, then continues with more advanced work using adjustment layers, clipping groups, paths and quick mask. An extensive amount of time will be spent on using channels for a variety of technical and creative purposes such as gray scale conversions, selections, creative effects and masking. During this class, the student will work on creating images using more advanced techniques and begin to use the computer as a creative tool for their own personal style. The class will include critique and discussion time for problem solving and so students can learn from each other's projects as well as their own.

Prerequisite:  Photoshop I

[ Web Design for Photographers ]

This workshop builds on the experience gained in the previous classes. It will introduce students to how Photoshop is used in conjunction with other web software. Starting with Photoshop to make web graphics and using actions to simplify the process. Then moving on web preparation and animations. We will discuss web galleries, templates and in Adobe Dreamweaver learn to make a great looking web site in just a few simple steps. There will be a discussion of service providers and how to upload. By the end of the class all students should have a functioning web site ready to upload.  This class is an introduction to web design, recommended for photographers who want to make and maintain their own site. 

Homework is required as students will be using their own images and graphics in a step by step process each week.

[ Digital Printing ] 

In this class, students will learn to make high quality ink jet prints. Images can come from digital cameras or scanned film. Students will learn the technical skills of using Adobe Photoshop and color management to print with profiles, make test strips and refine the print. Through assignments and critiques, students will not only learn to print, but will develop their eye to see color and make interpretive choices in contrast, tone and saturation. Class time will include printing time on our Epson 2400 printers. Students will supply their own ink and paper. Supplies will be discussed on the first night of class.