The Power of 10 - with Nigel French

Nigel French joins to give a series of 4 60-70 minute sessions, each focussing on areas which people in the community have expressed an interest in improving their knowledge of! I'm so very pleased that Nigel is part of the Camversation community and has been a supporter now for a long time. He has expertise in Photography, design and typology - having several books published on these subjects.

Have a look at some of Nigel's work: https://www.nigelfrench.com/

These can all be purchased individually as they are standalone sessions:

Session 1: 21st December 2024 Working Smart (link: https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/working-smart-with-nigel-french)

Session 2: 18th January 2024 Masking in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom (link:https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/masking-in-lightroom-and-adobe-camera-raw-with-nigel-french)

Session 3: 15th February 2024 No Pixels Harmed (link: https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/no-pixels-harmed-with-nigel-french)

Session 4: 1st March 2024 The Power of 10 (link: https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/the-power-of-10-with-nigel-french)

The Power of 10

10 Practical Uses of a Layer Mask

Layer masking in Photoshop is a powerful technique that offers a multitude of advantages for graphic designers, photographers, and digital artists alike. A layer mask allows users to control the visibility of different parts of a layer without permanently altering the original image. This non-destructive editing method is essential for maintaining the integrity of the original artwork while providing flexibility in the editing process.

One of the main reasons to use a layer mask is its ability to carry out selective editing. By 'painting' on the mask with black, photographers can hide specific areas of a layer, making them invisible. Conversely, painting with white reveals those hidden areas. This allows for intricate adjustments, such as blending multiple images together seamlessly or creating complex compositions without the risk of losing any original data. For instance, if a designer wants to combine a foreground subject with a different background, they can easily mask out the unwanted portions of the foreground layer, ensuring a smooth transition between the two elements.

Another advantage of using layer masks is the ability to refine edges with precision. When working with intricate subjects, such as hair or patterns, layer masks enable photographers to achieve a clean 'cut-out' that would be difficult to achieve with traditional selection tools. The feathering options available with layer masks allow for soft edges, which can result in a more natural look when merging layers. This is particularly useful in portrait retouching, where maintaining the softness of skin tones and hair texture is crucial.

Additionally, layer masks provide a means of experimenting with different visual effects without the fear of making irreversible changes. For example, a photographer might want to apply a filter or adjustment layer to a specific part of an image. By using a layer mask, they can easily control where the effect is applied, allowing for experimentation. If the outcome is not as expected, it can simply be painted black again - over the mask to adjust the visibility, making it a flexible tool for trial and error.

These talks will be recorded and made available for FOUR weeks after the event.

Example images will be available to support this workshop.

A hand-out to support the workshop will be available.