COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Expressive Print is an intensive, craft-focused workshop designed for photographers who want to move beyond competent files and create prints with presence, depth, and emotional resonance. Using either Adobe Photoshop or Affinity Photo, students will learn a disciplined, repeatable workflow for transforming digital captures into refined photographic prints.
The course begins with global tonal architecture—establishing density, contrast, sharpness and separation using Layers, Curves, and Levels. Participants will learn how to shape luminosity with precision, control highlights, build rich shadow structure, and maintain midtone integrity. Emphasis is placed on non-destructive editing through adjustment layers to preserve flexibility throughout the process.

From there, we move into local tone control. Students will explore advanced dodging and burning techniques to guide the viewer’s eye, sculpt form, and enhance dimensionality. Flashing—subtle highlight restraint and shadow opening—will be introduced as a method for compressing contrast while preserving drama. These techniques are approached not as gimmicks, but as expressive tools rooted in the traditions of darkroom printing.

The course concludes with our favorite approach to black-and-white conversion. Participants will learn how to translate color relationships into tonal structure and produce monochrome prints with clarity, atmosphere, and authority.

By the end of the workshop, students will have a complete tonal workflow and a finished print that reflects both technical control and personal vision.

Class is limited to 6

Students must bring::
Laptop computer
Photoshop/Affinity Photo
Location:
John Craig Photography,
112 North Broadway
Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10am - 3pm
Price: $150.00