DIGITAL PRINTING WORKSHOPS
Eight workshops
are currently scheduled for 2008, through the following organizations:
(click on name to go to class descriptions)
The Ansel Adams Gallery (at Mono Lake, east of Yosemite)
Lepp Institute of Digital Imaging (Los Osos, California)
Calypso Imaging, co-taught with Bill Atkinson (Santa Cruz, California)
All dealing with how to make the best possible prints from your slides, negatives, or digital camera files. And the best way is in the digital domain! If I'm using film in my 4x5 camera, I'll make scans. If I'm using my PhaseOne P45 digital back, I'll use various RAW developing software to "develop" the image. Then—Photoshop to do any further corrections and fine-tuning. With a big digital file of my image, I can now make thumbnails for a web page, print small sample prints, or make big “fine prints” —all from the same digital file. I'll discuss working with various printers, including the Ultrachrome K3 ink printers, the HP Z3100, the LightJet, and others.
Which workshop to take?? All the 3-5 day classes cover essentially the same material. Locations vary, as do facilities and fees charged. The Calypso classes have the advantage of Bill Atkinson as co-instructor, and are also the shortest and most intense. With the longer sessions, the pace is slightly more relaxed. All the classes have received excellent ratings from students.
All the workshops will also receive my 68 page booklet Photoshop Techniques: Effective and Efficient Techniques to Optimize Images. This is normally mailed out about a month before each workshop so that students can get up to speed on these techniques.
The Ansel Adams Gallery - Four and Five Day Classes
Digital Printing for the Fine Art Photographer
at the Mono Inn in Lee Vining, California (just East of Yosemite)
June 24-27 (Sorry - Full) and October 14-18 (Sorry, also full, with waiting list)
* Instructor: Charles Cramer
* Class Limit: 8
* Tuition: $700
* The five day October class will include field
sessions exploring the Eastern Sierra, and Mono Lake,
with field guidance from Charles Cramer.
Charles Cramer shows you everything you need to know to make the finest digital prints from your transparencies, negatives, or digital camera files. From exposing and scanning film to choosing the right printer, Charlie will share the results of extensive testing in his pursuit to make the best possible prints. And beyond the technical details, you will learn ways to make your images stronger and more compelling. This class will expose students to the state-of-the-art in digital techniques and equipment.
Subjects covered will include color management, scanning, workflow, using Photoshop to fine-tune your images, equipment selection and preparing files for Lightjet or Inkjet printing. Students will get to scan, fine-tune and print using their own images on the Gallery's printers. Students should have a good working knowledge of Photoshop. Subjects covered in detail will include:
Using Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom for Digital Camera Files
Getting the best results from Digital Camera Files
Scanning
Color Management (covered in depth)
How to insure consistent results from monitor to final print
How do I color-profile my own monitor, scanner, and printer?
Image Processing
Recommended techniques for working on files
The Master File and adjustment layers
Photoshop selection tools---tips and techniques
Setting density and color balance
Retouching, burning and dodging
Preparation of files for output to various printers
Sharpening
Using the "Sharpen Only Edges" action (included)
Equipment Selection
Printers for proofing and final output
Storage for large image files, CD and DVD writers
Presentation
Archival methods of mounting and matting digital prints
To Sign up , or for more information, go to www.anseladams.com - click on "Photography Workshops".
Digital Printing for the Fine Art Photographer
Instructor: Charles Cramer
Scheduled Session: August 11-15, 2008
Course Fee: $1,100
Presented at the spectacular digital lab at the Lepp Institute
Prerequisites: This is an intermediate to advanced level class. You must be familiar with Photoshop. This would include performing basic tonal adjustments with layers or curves, painting on layer masks, resizing, cropping, and making prints.
This course will cover everything you need to know to make the finest digital prints from your transparencies, negatives, or digital camera files. From exposing and scanning film to choosing the right printer, Charles Cramer will share the results of extensive testing in his pursuit to make the best possible prints. And beyond the technical details, you will learn ways to make your images stronger and more compelling. This class will expose students to the state-of-the-art in digital techniques and equipment.
What You Will Learn
The “Fine Art” in the title just means that you are willing to devote the time and effort to explore and optimize your images to their fullest potential. This class will give you the tools to go beyond your transparency, negative or camera file and imagine the possibilities within your image – tools that will then enable you to make your images stronger. Much discussion will center on critiquing prints (produced both before and during the class) and exploring what makes an exceptional print.
There will be a healthy discussion of color management and how to diagnose if a problem is due to your monitor calibration – or your printer profiles (or both!) The Pros and Cons of many printer choices will be discussed – and demonstrated with actual comparison prints.
A large portion of the class will be devoted to various Photoshop exercises, where you get to try out the favorite techniques and tips of the instructor. Much time will then be devoted to letting the participants utilize what they’ve learned in working with their own images. At the end of the course, you will be able to take home several finished prints, a more effective workflow, a list of recommended equipment, and a greater understanding of how to make your own prints…better!
Who Should Attend?
This is an intermediate to advanced level course for photographers who want to make their images more effective, and make them more effectively. Participants should already be involved in making their own prints – and want to learn how to make them better. Aesthetics, equipment selection and image fine-tuning techniques are all covered.
For more information, and to enroll, go to the Lepp Institute's webpage
Digital Printing for the Fine Art Photographer
with Bill Atkinson and Charles Cramer
For more information on this class, and/or to sign up, email Charles Cramer at cc@charlescramer.com
Dates for 2008: Feb. 29 - March 2, May 2-4, Sept. 19-21, Nov. 14-16Fee for class: $1095, plus lab fee of $50 Class limited to 14
Starts Friday 9 AM, ends Sunday 5 PM (with evening sessions on Friday and Saturday)
“Calypso Imaging, Inc. is pleased to host these workshops at our new digital lab and teaching center in Santa Cruz. We have updated to all Intel-based Macs, flat screen monitors, comfortable task chairs and a large display area. Our LightJet and Epson printers and all facilities will be at the disposal of Bill and Charlie. This is a dynamite learning experience conducted by two of the best photographic artists in the country. Attendance is limited so contact Charlie by phone or email as soon as possible”.
-Joe Levine, President of Calypso Imaging, Inc.
(Visit Calypso's website at www.calypsoinc.com)
Come to the “source” for authoritative answers to your questions. This workshop is arguably the most successful of its kind being offered––having been presented over 36 times since 2001. Attendees have spanned the range from hobbyists, to professional photographers, to engineers from HP, Adobe and the ICC. In three days you’ll learn essentially everything you need to know to make the finest digital prints from your color transparencies, negatives, or digital camera files. Subjects covered will include equipment selection, workflow, color management, scanning, using Photoshop to fine-tune your images, and preparing files for digital printing. Students will get to fine-tune and print using their own images––making up to three Lightjet proofs and, after fine-tuning, two 20x24 prints. A set of Photoshop action scripts for streamlining the fine art print process are also included. This is an intermediate to advanced level class. You must be familiar with Photoshop. This would include performing basic tonal adjustments with layers or curves, painting on layer masks, resizing, cropping, and making prints.
Subjects covered in detail will include:
WORKFLOW FOR FINE ART PRINTING
Use of Photoshop actions scripts
DIGITAL CAMERA FILES
Using Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom
Getting the most of our your digital capture
SCANNING
Purchase vs. service bureau---do I need my own scanner?
COLOR MANAGEMENT (covered in depth)
Using color management to insure consistent results from monitor to final print
Color management software
How do I color-profile my monitor, scanner, and printer?
IMAGE PROCESSING
Recommended techniques for working on files
Making a Photoshop Master file using adjustment layers
Photoshop selection tools---tips and techniques
Setting density and color balance
Retouching, burning and dodging
Preparation of files for output to various printers
Using the “Smart-sharpening” action script (included)
EQUIPMENT SELECTION
Selection of monitor and monitor calibration software
Printers for proofing and printers for final output
Software for image processing
Storage for large image files, CD and DVD writers
Digital cameras
PRESENTATION
Archival methods of mounting and matting digital prints
Students will build a master file, fine-tune, and make prints under the guidance of the instructors. There will also be time for print and image critiques, so students are encouraged to bring images along for sharing with the group. You’ll learn not only the “how” (with Photoshop techniques), but the “when” and “where” to apply these techniques to make your prints stronger and more compelling.
ALUMNI PRINT-MAKING "INTENSIVE" SESSION: June 20-22, 2008 · Fee $1195 plus Lab fee of $75 · Limited to 14 · Same meeting times as above · Includes discussions and demonstrations of handling problem images, with majority of class time devoted to helping students optimize and fine-tune their own images, with extra time on the Lightjet. Prerequisite: Having attended any of Charlie and Bill’s, or Charlie’s previous classes.
BILL ATKINSON When Apple superstar Bill Atkinson signed his name on the die of the original Macintosh, it was in the spirit of an artist signing his work. One of the key software architects of the Mac, Atkinson created most of the Mac’s user interface as well as the first versions of QuickDraw, MacPaint and Hypercard software. Today, Atkinson uses the Mac to follow a lifelong dream: producing flawless, luminous nature photographs. To accomplish that goal, Bill has pioneered many of the techniques, methods, and workflow used for digital imaging, and is considered a master of color management. Atkinson has instructed at the Ansel Adams Gallery Workshops, and has been a consultant to leading digital service providers. Bill’s book, “Within the Stone” was published by Browntrout in July 2004. His work can be seen in many fine galleries, and at his website, www.billatkinson.com.
CHARLES CRAMER Charles Cramer has been photographing the landscape for 30 years. In 1997, he started scanning his original 4x5 inch transparencies at very high resolution and digitally applying the photographic techniques he used in dye transfer printing. He has taught digital imaging for the Ansel Adams Gallery Workshops, Palm Beach Workshops, Anderson Ranch Workshops, and the Lepp Institute of Digital Imaging. Charles Cramer’s landscape work has been published by National Geographic, Sierra Club, and the Yosemite Association. He has been profiled in PhotoTechniques, PhotoVision, and View Camera Magazines. He is also included in the book “Landscape: The World’s Top Photographers”, now available in paperback! His work can be seen in galleries internationally, and at his website, www.charlescramer.com.