PHO 106: Photo Retouching
Perfect your images using Photoshop
Nearly every photograph can benefit from retouching, whether it's to correct subtle color problems or make major changes to the subject or background. In this online photo editing course, you'll learn how to turn good photographs into showstoppers. Using Photoshop's tools and filters, you'll learn to make seamless changes, realistically enhancing your images so that no one knows work was done. Photographers and designers will benefit from learning systematic professional routines taught in this course.
Student work by Richard Rivera. Visit the Student Gallery.
About This Course
Project-Based Learning
Practical and fun photo retouching projects include image restoration, glamour retouching, and creative compositing.
What Skills Will I Develop?
Students in this course can expect to learn to:
- Demonstrate a basic proficiency in using a range of professionally used correction tools.
- Make a variety of precise and soft selections.
- Apply techniques for darkening and lightening parts of an image.
- Use specialized techniques for knocking out and modifying a subject.
- Correct color and overall color balance in digital photographs.
- Use tools and filters to remove skin blemishes and smooth skin tone.
- Apply the sharpening routine in appropriate situations.
- Retouch portrait photos using the Spot Healing Brush tool, Healing Brush tool, Patch tool, and Highlight/Shadows command.
- Apply techniques for enhancing the glamour of a portrait photo, with special attention to lighting, skin, lips, and eyes.
- Apply changes to a subject's body shape.
- Remove litter and other small items from a scene that might get in the way or distract from the subject.
- Create a realistic composite photo by superimposing a subject on a background with appropriate shadows and perspective.
What Software and Supplies Do I Need?
- Computer with Internet connection.
- Adobe Photoshop CC or CS6.
- Basic experience in the above software.
Course Outline
The Retouching Toolbox
If you're comfortable with just your favorite Photoshop tools, you may be missing out on some new and enhanced ones that can make retouching work a breeze. In the first week, we explore the techniques behind making accurate selections, selections that produce blended results, and even selections based on custom shapes. Image editing tools for darkening, lightening, healing, and patching photos are explored, as well as techniques for subject knockouts and the indispensable Liquify filter.
Retouching Portraits
When you talk to someone in person, you don't always notice the little blemishes; personality, conversation, and movement distract you. But when you see a portrait photo of a person, you see it all, down to the last detail. In this session, you'll cover techniques for "digital dermatology," handling color and tone, trimming errant hairs, and even a little plastic surgery. Portrait retouching can, at times, be controversial, so you'll also learn when it's best to use these techniques and how far to go with them.
Retouching Products and Scenes
If you're preparing product shots for a catalog, or a landscape for a nature magazine, you know that sometimes things get in the way and the lighting is rarely ideal. This final lecture will take you through techniques for correcting a range of common issues, including changing the color of a product while still keeping it realistic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do The Courses Work?
Our courses are project-based and instructor-led. In each course you’ll complete a series of lectures, projects, discussions, and critiques designed to stretch your creative skills. Weekly assignment deadlines keep you on track, and with no set-logins or Zoom meetings, you can build your studies around your schedule.
Who Are The Instructors?
Our courses are developed and taught by our industry-leading faculty of creative professionals. This means that you’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work. View our Student Gallery for featured student projects.
When Can I Start?
Classes start January, April, and August, and this course can be completed as part of a 15-week term in 8 weeks. College credit from this course can be applied to a range of degree and certificate programs at Sessions College.
How Do I Register?
To register for a program, complete our program application. To register for this course on an individual basis, please contact our admissions team at admissions@sessions.edu. An Admissions Advisor will contact you to setup your enrollment.
| Course Tuition and Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $510/credit |
| Registration Fee* | $200 |
| Total Course Price | $965 |
Registration fees are nonrefundable after 5 days from enrollment.
Is Sessions College accredited?
Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).