Photo Editing Essentials 🖼️
A practical editing course focused on image selection, cropping, exposure correction, color balance, light retouching, export settings, and responsible editing habits. Built for beginners and hobbyists across Canada seeking a clean, repeatable workflow.
Beginner friendly
Clear steps and checklists
Tool agnostic
Use your preferred editor
Ethical edits
Clarity over heavy effects
What you will learn 🎯
Organize and import
Folder structure, backups, metadata, and predictable catalog habits for small teams or personal projects.
Select with intention
Contact sheets, flags, and a simple pass system to choose the strongest frames efficiently.
Tone and color
Exposure correction, white balance, contrast shaping, and clean color management without heavy effects.
Retouch and export
Light retouching, crop and straightening, sharpening, and export presets for print and web.
Editing workflow at a glance 🛠️
Backups, folder naming, and metadata templates.
Flagging, rating, and building a first cut.
Horizon, aspect ratio, and visual balance.
Whites, blacks, highlights, and shadow control.
White balance, saturation, and local color tweaks.
Distraction cleanup and gentle skin work.
Sharpening, file size, color space, and presets.
Modules inside the course 📚
Module 1: Setup
Week 1File handling, backups, and import templates that prevent rework.
Module 2: Selection
Week 2Culling methods and quick comparisons to build a strong edit set.
Module 3: Global tone
Week 3Exposure, contrast, and presence adjustments with restraint.
Module 4: Color control
Week 4White balance, HSL, and targeted color cleanup for natural results.
Module 5: Local edits
Week 5Brushes, gradients, spot removal, and subtle skin improvements.
Module 6: Export
Week 6Sharpening, sizes, color space, and organized delivery folders.
Tools and file practices 🧰
You can complete this course using commonly available editors such as Lightroom Classic, Capture One, or another non-destructive RAW editor. We teach concepts first so you can apply them in your preferred software.
- Non-destructive workflow with snapshots and virtual copies
- Color space choices for web (sRGB) and print (CMYK-ready handoff)
- Consistent preset naming and export templates
- Ethical editing guidelines and disclosure best practices
Practice assignments ✍️
One scene, three looks
Create neutral, high-contrast, and soft edits from the same RAW file. Document settings and intent.
Color cleanup
Use HSL or selective color to remove a distracting color cast while keeping skin tones natural.
Delivery preset
Build export presets for Instagram and print, including sharpening and watermark options.
Certificates of completion may be available for learners who finish all modules and submit assignments. Certificates confirm educational participation and do not represent professional accreditation or guaranteed outcomes.
Build a clean, repeatable editing workflow 🎓
Learn a practical sequence from import to export and apply it to any genre you enjoy.
Educational disclaimer
All courses, workshops, resources, and materials are for educational purposes only. Participation does not guarantee employment, income, clients, professional certification, social media growth, or commercial success. Learners remain responsible for their own progress, practice, equipment choices, and creative decisions. Invited specialists contribute as educators and subject matter experts.
Editing Basics FAQ ❓
Do I need specific software?
No. You can use any modern non-destructive editor. Examples include Lightroom Classic or Capture One. The principles apply across tools.
Are RAW files required?
RAW is recommended for flexibility, but lessons also demonstrate JPEG-safe edits and limitations.
Is heavy retouching included?
No. We focus on light, ethical retouching that respects the subject and preserves authenticity.
Can I access this from anywhere in Canada?
Yes. The course runs online, so learners from all Canadian provinces and territories can participate.