How It Works

As explained on the previous page, you do this at home on your computer.  I use a free facility called LogMeIn that lets me see your computer screen just like I was looking over your shoulder.  I call you on the phone and tutor you.  I can see exactly what you're doing in your photo editor and talk you through each lesson.  LogMeIn can connect me to any computer anywhere in the world, but I can only make phone calls within the US and Canada.

There's another free program called Skype that will let me talk to you over the internet anywhere in the world.  I've tutored a chap in Oslo, Norway this way and it worked fine.  I'm a 70 year old married guy who speaks only English. 

The Classes

This is only a beginner course -- just enough to get you started.  Typically, I begin by having you select some of your photos you would like to improve.  From these I choose ones I think will illustrate the methods I teach.  This way, while learning, you're creating results that are meaningful to you.  I feel this holds your interest and makes the experience more rewarding.  Normally, we will enhance all the photos you selected, or until you feel confident you've learned how, and can do the rest yourself.  Usually while working on the pictures you have chosen we touch on most methods/techniques that I teach.  At the end of the course I cover any techniques not covered in this way.

I need to establish a regular schedule to avoid conflicts, and manage my time.  Times and schedules are flexible, but the most common plan is eight, two-hour sessions.  Two each week, at mutually convenient times, for about four weeks.  I will encourage you to do a little homework -- to try the things you've just learned without me there to guide you.  I've discovered students rely too much on me to prompt them when I'm there. 

The Programs I Teach

I have only done this with the programs PhotoShop versions 5.5 thru CS3 and PhotoShop Elements versions 3 thru latest.  If you haven't gotten a program yet please discuss the options with me before choosing. PhotoShop is expensive but Elements is reasonably priced.  The advantage of starting with Elements rather than products from other vendors is, if you get serious about the "Digital Darkroom" it's easy to progress to the full PhotoShop. 

To get started, email me here
 

The Results

The pictures below were done by my students, either during the course or afterward on their own.  Most are chosen to illustrate improvement, not because they're calendar quality photos.  I've just begun to post these and will add more as I can get them. 

Or, in case you need to give it
to me for a before/after for
this page. :)