From Flat to Fantastic: The Art of Black & White Editing
Leader: Joe Brady
THUR 3:00 - 4:30 P.M. 
Meeting Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Max No People: 30
Turn your bland raw images into bold, timeless black & white masterpieces. Black and white images aren’t just color photos without color - they’re their own language.
In this class, we’ll begin by learning how to recognize which images have the structure, light, and subject clarity to make powerful black and white photographs. You’ll gain insight into what types of scenes lend themselves to monochrome and why.
From there, we’ll explore how to *see* in black and white by focusing on tone, texture, shape,
and light. Using tools in Lightroom Classic, *Photoshop, and Silver Efex Pro, you’ll learn how to transform bland images into bold, dramatic monochrome interpretations. We'll explore
workflows that emphasize contrast control, tonal precision, and the emotional weight that great black and white images can carry. We’ll also study iconic black and white photographs for inspiration and walk through real-world examples with side-by-side edits to reveal the full expressive range of grayscale. This class is ideal for photographers who want to move beyond basic desaturation and create black and white work that is timeless, striking, and deeply personal.
Topics and Techniques:
Choosing strong B&W candidates from your catalog
Understanding tone vs. color in visual storytelling
Using the B&W mix and tone curve tools in Lightroom* Enhancing shape and texture with clarity and contrast
Local adjustments for mood: darkening skies, lightening subjects
Split toning for subtle warmth or coolness
Silver Efex Pro workflows for dynamic range and film looks