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

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

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.

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.

A 5-week class for teens, ages 13-18, to gain a solid understanding of the foundations of photography using D-SLR cameras. Students will be taught the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO), concepts in composition & editing, storytelling through photography, and be given weekly assignments that will test their technical and aesthetic skills. A focus is placed on creating projects that are community based, and students will be taken on supervised field trips in San Francisco, as a part of the course.
BRING: D-SLR Camera & camera manual.

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

Fridays, 4:30-7p, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Johnna Arnold
Tuition includes a lab pass for computer workstations.

A 5-week or 2-day intensive class, where students learn to use their D-SLR cameras more effectively and creatively. We’ll begin by reviewing functions of the camera, and move on to processing files in a digital darkroom using Photoshop. Basic workflow is covered, as well as more advanced editing techniques. One class is based in the studio, and one class is held offsite for a shooting field trip. Each week students will get assignments as well as readings to reinforce what is gone over in each class. Technical aspects covered include: RAW format shooting & processing, White Balance Control, Histograms, and High Dynamic Range Shooting. Includes lab pass to computer workstations.
PRE-REQ: Level 1 Digital Photo or equivalent, or a solid understanding of the basic manual controls of a D-SLR or SLR camera: ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Depth of Field and Proper Exposure.
BRING: D-SLR Camera & manual.

Limit: 10 students
Summer Instructors: Johnna Arnold (Sec 3, 4) & Carlos Arrieta (Sec 1, 2)
Fall Instructors: Johnna Arnold (Sec 3, 4) & Carlos Arrieta (Sec 1, 2)
Includes lab pass to computer workstations

This 5 week course will teach you how to import, edit, and output your footage like a professional with iMovie ’09. Learn the fundamentals of video editing and the art of storytelling. Students will work with provided footage and their own footage to learn about continuity, pacing, dialogue, and sound effects. We’ll explore all the features of iMovie ’09 including beat matching, dynamic themes, the precision editor, video stabilization, maps, titles, and transitions. Learn to easily export your finished polished video projects and share them on the internet or on your personal devices. Other topics covered in the class will include shooting tips, video resolutions, compression, codecs, and integration with iPhoto, iTunes, and iDVD. No previous editing experience needed. Familiarity with the MAC platform required. Students should own or have access to a digital video camera with a Firewire connection.
BRING: Headphones and a digital video camera and/or a D-SLR camera with video option.

Saturdays, 3:30-6:30p, Oct 23, 30, Nov 6, 13 & 20
Limit: 9 students
Instructor: Rachel Max
Tuition includes a lab pass for computer workstations.

A 2-day intensive course in advanced shooting and processing techniques. HDRI “high dynamic range imaging” is a technique using camera exposure and software to create images with a greater dynamic range (the range of values between light and dark areas) through the process of tone mapping. Digital panoramic photography is a technique using overlapping camera exposures to “seam” together multiple images into one image with a perceived wide field of view. On day one, learn how to make proper exposures and explore your creativity on location. On day two, learn how to correct and process the images using Photoshop CS4 and third party HDR software.
PRE-REQ: Basic Photoshop and Level 1 Digital Photo, or equivalents.
BRING: Digital SLR or digital camera with manual exposure adjustments and wide angle lens capabilities, and a tripod.

Saturday (shoot off-site) & Sunday (lab day)
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Erika Gentry

This workshop teaches students about color management and how to obtain good color matches across various devices (monitor, scanner, printer, camera, and software). We will cover topics such as ICC profiles, embedded and mismatched profiles, working space, color translation, rendering intent, and the calibration of color devices. We will also discuss color management workflow, troubleshooting, and how to achieve the best solutions for various applications. Although this is a lecture- based workshop, a live monitor calibration will be demonstrated for participants. BRING: A notebook.

Saturday, 10a-2p | Oct 2
Limit: 6 students
Instructor: Cody Williams

This is a hands-on workshop to demonstrate the use of strobe lighting equipment and show you how to create basic lighting set-ups in the studio. We will cover the basic principles of studio lighting which include metering, color temperature and light ratios. This workshop is applicable to both digital and conventional photography. Participants will gain experience using strobe equipment and learn how to shape light to create the effects they desire. All demonstrations will be done with a professional level DSLR camera to show immediate results.
BRING: A basic understanding of manual camera exposure including F-stops and a notebook.

Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Cody Williams

This comprehensive workshop will be held over 3 nights both at RayKo Photo Center and photographing in the South of Market area.  Emphasis of the class will be on evaluating existing lighting situations and exposing specific films accordingly.  Supplemental lighting possibilities will also be demonstrated.  B&W, color negative, and slide films will be compared.  Students will return the following week to discuss their work.
BRING: 35mm, medium format film camera, or D-SLR with full manual control & bulb or time setting (no point & shoot or auto cameras), sturdy tripod, digital watch or timer.  Instructor will email student list in full detail.

Thursday | Aug 12 & 19 | 6:30-11p AND Thursday | Aug 26 | 6:30-9:30p
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Tim Baskerville

In this 3-week workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of location lighting for editorial or fashion photography using the low cost Alien Bee’s kit systems. We will meet in different locations each week, to face different obstacles that may occur during various conditions. Students will also be grouped into teams to experience working with different photographic styles and expanding their own photographic vision as well as gaining experience assisting. Other topics include color management out in the field, fill flash, shooting tethered, digital capture compositing techniques, posing techniques, and light finessing techniques.
PRE-REQ: Complete understanding of manual controls and an optimistic demeanor.
BRING: Mandatory items: D-SLR Camera and Voltage regulator. Optional items: light meter if available, tripod, gel kits, Gaffers Tape

Sundays | 2p-5p | Nov 14, 21 & 28
Limit: 9 students
Instructor: Carlos Arrieta