Overview
Professional image editing demands precision, non-destructive workflows, and advanced techniques that go far beyond basic adjustments. This advanced course builds on your Pixel foundation to teach you the sophisticated methods used by professional retouchers, photographers, and digital artists.
You’ll learn advanced selection and masking techniques, professional-grade retouching workflows including frequency separation, complex compositing with seamless blending, advanced color grading and correction, RAW processing mastery, and production-ready batch processing. Whether you’re retouching for commercial photography, creating complex composites, or preparing images for demanding clients, you’ll gain the advanced skills that define professional-quality work.
Format: 2 Days | VILT or On-Site
Who Should Attend
- Pixel users ready to move beyond basic editing techniques
- Professional photographers seeking advanced retouching skills
- Graphic designers creating complex composites and manipulations
- Anyone who’s completed Affinity Pixel Introduction or has equivalent experience
What You’ll Learn
- Master advanced selection techniques for complex subjects
- Apply professional retouching workflows including frequency separation
- Create seamless composites with advanced blending and masking
- Perform precise color grading and correction for consistent results
- Process RAW files with advanced Develop Persona techniques
- Use adjustment layers and live filters for non-destructive workflows
- Automate repetitive tasks with macros and batch processing
- Prepare images for demanding commercial and editorial output
Course Outline
Module 1: Advanced Selection and Masking Techniques
- Refine selection: advanced edge detection and refinement
- Selecting complex subjects: fine hair, fur, and transparent objects
- Channel-based selections for maximum control
- Creating and editing alpha channels
- Luminosity masks for targeted tonal adjustments
- Color range selections and advanced sampling
- Combining multiple selection methods for difficult subjects
- Saving and loading complex selections
Module 2: Professional Portrait Retouching
- Frequency separation: theory and professional application
- Skin retouching without losing texture
- Advanced healing and cloning techniques
- Dodge and burn for dimensional contouring
- Eye enhancement: sharpening, brightening, and color correction
- Hair retouching and flyaway management
- Body contouring and liquify techniques
- Creating natural-looking enhancements
Module 3: Advanced Compositing and Blending
- Planning complex composites: perspective and lighting consistency
- Advanced layer masking with density and feathering
- Blend modes: understanding the math behind blending
- Blend ranges for luminosity-based compositing
- Matching lighting and color across composite elements
- Creating realistic shadows and reflections
- Atmospheric perspective and depth simulation
- Seamless integration techniques for natural results
Module 4: Advanced Color Correction and Grading
- Reading histograms for precise tonal control
- Advanced curves: multi-point adjustments and channel work
- Color grading workflows for cinematic looks
- Selective color adjustments with HSL and LAB
- Color matching across multiple images
- Working with LUTs (Look-Up Tables)
- Split toning and cross-processing effects
- Maintaining skin tones during color grading
Module 5: RAW Processing Mastery
- Advanced Develop Persona controls and workflow
- Exposure recovery: highlights and shadows
- Local adjustments with gradient and radial filters
- Lens correction and perspective control
- Noise reduction strategies for different scenarios
- Sharpening techniques: capture, creative, and output
- Creating and applying develop presets
- Batch processing RAW files efficiently
Module 6: Advanced Layer Techniques and Effects
- Live filter layers for non-destructive effects
- Filter combinations and stacking strategies
- Creating custom adjustment layer combinations
- Advanced layer styles and effect parameters
- Using blend if/blend ranges for complex effects
- Creating reusable layer effect presets
- Smart object alternatives and linked layer workflow
- Layer comps for managing design variations
Module 7: Specialized Techniques and Tools
- HDR merge and tone mapping for high dynamic range
- Focus stacking for extended depth of field
- Panorama stitching and perspective correction
- Advanced Liquify techniques: mesh warping and reconstruction
- Content-aware fill alternatives and strategies
- Creating and using displacement maps
- Advanced text effects and layer manipulation
- Working with 32-bit HDR images
Module 8: Automation, Batch Processing, and Output
- Recording and editing macros for repetitive tasks
- Batch processing with consistent adjustments
- Creating automated workflows for production
- Advanced export settings and optimization
- Color space management for different output destinations
- Soft proofing for accurate print preview
- Creating export presets for web, print, and social media
- Quality control workflows and final image review
- Archiving and cataloging best practices
Prerequisites & Technical Requirements
- Completion of Affinity Pixel Introduction or equivalent experience
- Solid understanding of layers, masks, and basic adjustments
- Affinity Pixel installed (latest version from Canva)
- Experience with photo editing and image manipulation
Customization Options
This course can be tailored to your specific imaging workflows—portrait retouching, product photography, advertising composites, or editorial image processing. We can work with your actual project files and images, incorporate your color grading standards and output requirements, and focus on the advanced techniques most relevant to your industry. If you have specific retouching challenges or specialized image types, we can adjust the curriculum accordingly.