This 2-day weekend workshop introduces the fundamentals of Lightroom and gives tips & tricks on how to professionally develop your digital images. Focus is on setup, workflow, organization, image management, rating, editing, non-destructive image processing, and delivery of images regardless of output type. The course includes open lab time to work on your own images. Lightroom puts the focus on images being processed and managing large volumes of images. Flash galleries, websites, and self-published books can be made from this single program, which works seamlessly with all Adobe and Macromedia programs.
BRING: 25 Unprocessed images – RAW or JPEG

Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Erika Gentry

This 4-week class will survey a variety of non-traditional techniques that expand artistic possibilities for darkroom photographers. In the darkroom, we’ll try altering negatives, photograms, painting with light, Sabattier prints (aka solarizition), applying chemistry with brushes, altering prints in tea and coffee, and Liquid Light emulsion. Outside the darkroom, we will discuss various films including infared and cross processing for unusual color rendition. All students with basic film processing and printing skills are welcome to enroll.

Wednesdays | 6:30-9:30p | Nov 17, 24, Dec 1 & 8
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Audrey Jones
Tuition includes lab pass to B&W group darkroom and roll film processing.

This 5-week course provides accessible, practical tools for getting your work into the world. Topics include developing a portfolio, writing about your work, budgeting, pricing, and marketing. We will explore both commercial galleries and alternative art spaces. Hear first hand from a selection of art professionals about what they look for in submissions, when to get model releases, and how to hang your photos straight. Learn how to plan an exhibition from press release to reception and take away real templates to support your practice.

Nov 10, 17, Dec 1, 8, 15 (no class Nov 24
Wednesdays | 6:30-9:30p | Limit: 6 students
Includes lab pass for computer workstations
Instructor: Sita Kuratomi Bhaumik

A special workshop designed for teens, ages 13-18, to learn the foundations of traditional B&W photography. They will learn to make exposures with a 35mm camera, process film, and create prints in RayKo’s spacious B&W group darkroom. The intent of this course is to engage students through shooting assignments based on community and supervised field trips. In this course students will be given technical skills and gain an understanding of the aesthetic possibilities photography has to offer. No prerequisite.
BRING: 35mm film camera with manual controls.

Two scholarships available, call or email to inquire about details.

Thursdays | 4:30-7p | Nov 11, 18, Dec 2, 9, 16 (no class Nov 27)
Class Limit: 10
Instructor: Luis Mendoza
Tuition includes lab pass to the B&W group darkroom and roll film processing.

This 5-week class is designed for anyone with basic darkroom skills who would like to advance to the next level. Emphasis will be on creating a new body of work consisting of images that are related in a meaningful way. The bulk of class time will be spent on supervised printing with breaks for critique and demonstration of various printing techniques.
PRE-REQ: Relatively recent darkroom experience.
BRING: B&W negatives and photographic paper.

Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Barry Umstead
Tuition includes lab pass to B&W group darkroom.

This 5-week hands-on class introduces participants to basic B&W photography procedures. Students will learn how to meter for proper exposure, process their film, and print their own images, with emphasis on darkroom time and personal attention.
BRING: Film camera with manual controls (digital cameras not appropriate).

Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Barry Umstead
Includes lab pass to b&w group darkroom and roll processing room

Students will be introduced to digital camera operation, RAW, file management in Bridge, Photoshop corrections and tools, and discourse surrounding digital photography as art. We will cover digital printing, including paper options, color management, and the process of evaluating print accuracy and quality. In addition to technical demonstrations, lectures on historical and contemporary photographers, periodic critiques, and weekly digital darkroom and print time, students will learn a work flow that can be recreated independently outside of class.
BRING: D-SLR camera, camera manual, and device for storing images (hard drive of at least 20 gig-note additional storage is likely to be necessary)

Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Meghann Riepenhoff
Tuition includes a lab pass for computer workstations as well as discounts on paper and printer rentals

This 5-week mind-opening course will introduce you to color materials and darkroom printing skills. Learn to create the images you desire by establishing a firm foundation in color theory and darkroom technique. Printing demonstrations and individual critique will be emphasized while covering topics that include art history, night photography, artificial lighting, alternative color processes, and more! Tuition includes lab pass to the color group darkroom.
PRE-REQ: Beginning Darkroom Experience.
BRING: Color Negatives & Color Paper.

Wednesdays | 6:30-9:30p | Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 & Nov 3
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Audrey Jones
Tuition includes lab pass to color group darkrooms

Building on the skill set established in Color Printing I, this 2-day intensive class will heighten sensitivity to color, enable faster and more accurate color distinctions, and enhance overall print quality. Topics covered will include large printing (30×40 and mural), mixed lighting, problematic negatives, and more. We will have group critiques, look at contemporary and historical artists that use color in unique ways, and discuss color as both a formal and conceptual tool in photography. Students can expect ample one-on-one time, both for assistance with printing and for dialogue relating to their art. Students are encouraged to come with negatives and a love for the exciting, magical act of making art in the pitch black! Tuition includes 10-hour pass to private color rooms.
PRE-REQ: Color Printing, level 1.
BRING: Negatives, examples of prints from past work, idea of what one wants to focus on for the workshop. Students are strongly encouraged to email instructor prior to start date to discuss projects in order to get the most from this class

Saturday & Sunday | 10a-5p | Aug 28 & 29
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Elizabeth Bernstein
Tuition includes access pass to group darkrooms, and limited access to color private & mural darkrooms.

A 5-week class that explores the questions all photographers ponder. What makes an effective photographic composition? Why is one picture better than another? We see so many images every day, what makes a photograph stand out? In order to answer these questions and many others, we will examine the principals of composition and look at photographs that have withstood the test of time. Students will be given assignments and learn to edit, sequence, and critique their own work as well as their classmates’ work.
BRING: 35mm or Medium Format camera (digital or film) and 5-10 prints/examples of your work.

Mondays | 6:30-8:30p | Nov 15, 22, 29, Dec 6 & 13
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Meghann Riepenhoff
Tuition includes lab pass to group traditional darkrooms or computer workstations.

Do you want to make your photographic images large, but don’t know how. Our workshop serves as an introduction to making large-scale B&W mural prints. You will get a demonstration and print in our lovely B&W mural darkroom during this 5-hour workshop. Learn to achieve professional looking results with tips and tricks from an experienced professional.
PRE-REQ: Intermediate B&W darkroom experience
BRING: B&W negatives

Sunday | 10a-3p | August 22
Limit: 4 students
Instructor: Johanna Case-Hofmeister

Work with personalized guidance to explore alternative digital printing materials, create your own alt process digital prints in this new lecture, hands-on, and mentoring course using the digital liquid emulsion, InkAid. We will begin with an overview of various digital printing processes such as printing on backlight film, aluminum and copper, kozo, gampi, and washi papers, then transition into various ways to present photographic work. You will be strongly encouraged to experiment with blending techniques or creating your own process. The best part of the class is you will work 1-on-1 for half an hour a week with the instructor, to get personalized guidance with your images. Class time will be a combination of presentation of current work and testing done during the week, critique & feedback on artistic as well as technical elements, and open lab time for continuing the process. Outside class time for preparing materials is a must. Students are not required to meet with the instructor weekly, but are highly encouraged to do so.
PRE-REQ: Digital Master Printing or Intro to Digital Printing and basic Photoshop.

Thursdays | 6:30-9:00p | Oct 14, 21, 28, Nov 5 & 11
Limit: 6 students
Instructor: Mia Nakano
Includes digital lab pass: scanners & workstations, and B&W darkroom pass for coating.

A 5-hour hands-on workshop that covers the details of B&W digital printing. Walk through converting color images to B&W in Photoshop, discussion of inks, papers, normal printer drivers vs. RIP software, and more. Paper and inks are supplied. This course combines lecture and lab time to familiarize students with the newest printing and conversion techniques, and the small class size allows for fluidity in materials presented.
PRE-REQ: Basics of Photoshop Layers.
BRING: Three-8×10″ COLOR images on disc.

Saturday | 10a-3p | November 13
Limit: 4 students
Instructor: Cody Williams

A 5-hour hands-on workshop that shows you how to take your digital images from computer screen to print. Get a basic overview of color management and get experience using consumer and high-end professional printers. Topics covered include monitor calibration, soft proofing, ICC profiles, inks, papers, color spaces, and more. Paper and inks are supplied.
BRING: Six-8×10″ Color image files

Saturday | 10a-3p | November 6
Limit: 6 students
Instructor: Cody Williams

This is a two-part intensive course, consisting of a one-day excursion to the abundant wilderness north of San Francisco, and a one-day image processing and printing session at RayKo. Inspired by the rich history of landscape photography in the Western United States, this course will bring students to the landscape where we will explore intermediate photographic techniques with digital cameras. Topics we will cover include depth of field, selective focus, macro techniques, mixed lighting, long exposures, low light photography, and shooting moving subjects. The unique opportunity to be immediately submerged in situations requiring these shooting techniques will allow students to apply course topics and receive instant feedback and supplemental instruction. The goal of this shooting time is to bring the best possible results to the computer so that the Photoshop techniques we learn are used to tighten great images rather than ‘fix’ troubled shots.

The last half of the course will be at RayKo, where students will learn digital image processing in Photoshop, including curves, layers, and printing. The class will also engage in critical discussions regarding composition, editing and sequencing to create a small body of work, and overall image quality.
BRING: DSLR with full manual exposure controls, beginners understanding of their camera, a tripod, a shutter release cable, and a willingness to experiment and explore in the wilderness of Northern California.

Saturday (shooting) & Sunday (lab day), 10a-6p, Dec 11 & 12
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Meghann Riepenhoff

You’ve got some beautiful images – but how do you properly prepare them for output as beautiful pigment prints? Using Photoshop CS4 tips and tricks as well as understanding the relationship to archival printers will help you unlock the gorgeous print you have been waiting to output! See through the eyes of master printer and award-winning instructor, Erika Gentry, and gain a broader understanding of the technical artistry of digital printing. Workshop topics include basic corrections, best practices for B&W image conversion, tone control with levels and curves, dodging and burning, layer masking, sharpening, and using the advanced black and white print driver controls for Epson printers. Paper and ink will be provided and examples of various paper substrates will also be available.
BRING: Six color or B&W image files in RAW, JPG, TIFF or PSD format.

Limit: 6 students
Instructor: Erika Gentry

Albumen printing is a contact-printing process that dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. Albumen prints are made by hand-coating Albumen (egg whites) then recoating with silver for contact-printing B&W negatives under a UV light-source. Albumen prints are capable of rendering a spectacular range of tones and detail and are considered by many to be the pinnacle of silver-based printing. In this workshop, students will learn the chemistry and techniques behind this printing method from beginning to end, as well as scanning and digital negative creation and reproduction. Topics to be explored include processing solutions, paper types, coating paper, exposure, processing and toning of prints. Each participant will have the opportunity to make multiple prints and/or time to refine and experiment. RayKo will provide chemistry and some paper for all classes, but if students want to experiment with other papers, toners, or ideas, be prepared to buy more materials.
PRE-REQ: Traditional B&W experience, basic understanding of Photoshop.
BRING: Two images, RAW digital files, or B&W film.

Mondays | 6:30-9:30p | Dec 6, 13 & 20
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Carlos Arrieta
Tuition includes lab pass to computer workstations.

A 3-week, hands-on course in which we take our traditional silver print cues from 1889 while utilizing modern technologies to create magnificent Kallitype, (Comparable to Platinum Palladium) prints. We will cover scanning film, maximizing digital capture, and post-processing techniques in order to create robust digital negatives specifically to contact print Kallitypes. In the dark room portion, students will learn about appropriate materials, coating papers, UV light exposure strategies, and possibly experiment with toning options. Learn how to merge the newest digital techniques with one of the oldest photographic processes out there.
PRE-REQ: fundamental B&W traditional print experience, basic understanding of Photoshop.
BRING: digital or film images

Sundays | 6:30-9:30p | Dec 5, 12 & 19
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Carlos Arrieta
Tuition includes lab pass to computer workstations and partial access to B&W private darkrooms.

This four-session course will introduce you to the world of taking your digital files from scans or digital camera images and outputting them onto transparency film for traditional silver gelatin darkroom printing. Lecture will cover scanning, post processing, digital negative creation, and printing. In the lab portion we discuss basic darkroom techniques that can still be applied to this process despite being a contact printing process.
PRE-REQ: Basic understanding of Photoshop Curves & Layers
BRING: Film negatives and/or RAW files, B&W paper of your choice, and a notebook.

Tuesdays | 6:30-9:30p | Oct 26, Nov 2, 9 & 16
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Carlos Arrieta
Tuition includes lab pass to computer workstations and B&W group darkroom.

A 5-week or 2-day intensive class, with a focus on students gaining a solid understanding of their D-SLR cameras. Each student will learn to use focus, depth of field, and exposure to attain the desired effect when taking (making) a picture. One class session will include a field trip to photograph in one of the most diverse and interesting places in San Francisco, the SOMA Arts District. There are weekly shooting assignments that will be critiqued on a technical and artistic level in class. Students will also learn to upload images and gain an understanding of basic photo-editing. Includes a lab pass for computer workstations.
BRING: DSLR Camera & manual.
This is our most popular course and always fills, so sign up today!

Limit: 10 students
Summer Sessions: Johnna Arnold (Sec: 5, 9, 10, 11), Carlos Arrieta (Sec: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8), Cody Williams (Sec: 2, 7, 12)
Fall Sessions: Johnna Arnold (1, 5, 9, 12), Carlos Arrieta (3, 10), Sita Kuratomi Bhaumik (4, 8), Cody Williams (2, 6, 7, 11)
Tuition includes access pass to computer workstations.