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Master Black & White Editing in Affinity Photo

4.8 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 27 ratings
see reviews
Affinity Revolution

Anyone can remove the color from a photo, but how do you create black & white masterpieces?

That's where this course comes in. In these tutorials, you will learn how to create stunning black & white images in Affinity Photo. By the time you finish, you will be a black & white master.

We will start by learning how to remove the color from an image. There are actually a lot of different ways to do this, but there is one technique in particular that is the most accurate for turning a color image into a black & white.

Read more

Anyone can remove the color from a photo, but how do you create black & white masterpieces?

That's where this course comes in. In these tutorials, you will learn how to create stunning black & white images in Affinity Photo. By the time you finish, you will be a black & white master.

We will start by learning how to remove the color from an image. There are actually a lot of different ways to do this, but there is one technique in particular that is the most accurate for turning a color image into a black & white.

After that, you will learn how to control the lighting of your photos. Controlling light is critical for making beautiful black & whites, so we will spend a lot of time learning different lighting techniques. 

Once you know how to control lighting, we will move onto other filters & adjustments you can use to improve your black & whites. We will learn how to blur, sharpen, and more.

And finally, we will finish the course by completing a series of projects together. These projects are designed to bring together everything you have learned, so that you can feel totally prepared to edit your own photos after you finish the course.

This course is a ton of fun, and I know you will learn a lot. So if you are ready to become a black & white master, then please join me in the course. :)

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will learn how to create stunning black & white photos
  • You will learn what to look for when editing a black & white photo
  • You will learn multiple techniques for controlling the lighting of your photos
  • You will learn how to apply filters & adjustments to improve black & white photos

Syllabus

Course Introduction
Welcome!
Download the Exercise Files
Black & White Fundamentals
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores various techniques for controlling lighting, which is essential for creating visually appealing black and white images and adding depth to photographs
Teaches how to apply filters and adjustments to enhance black and white photos, which is useful for refining images and achieving specific artistic effects
Covers sharpening and blurring techniques, which are useful for controlling focus and creating different moods in black and white photography
Includes projects such as castle, balloon, and wedding photography, which allows learners to apply their skills to real-world scenarios and build a portfolio
Features a section on color correction, which is useful for understanding how color information translates into black and white tones and how to adjust them
Requires Affinity Photo, so learners will need to acquire a license or trial version of the software to fully participate in the course and complete the projects

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Mastering black & white editing in affinity photo

According to learners, this course is a largely positive experience for mastering black and white editing in Affinity Photo. Students appreciate the clear and engaging instruction provided by the instructor. The curriculum offers a comprehensive exploration of B&W techniques, including detailed lighting control methods and multiple approaches to conversion beyond simple desaturation. Many find the practical projects and useful exercise files particularly helpful for applying what they learn. While it's a deep dive specifically into Affinity Photo B&W, learners report gaining valuable skills. Overall, it's seen as an effective way to elevate B&W photography skills.
Techniques shown in Affinity Photo.
"This course is essential for any Affinity Photo user serious about black and white photography."
"Make sure you have Affinity Photo, as all the demonstrations and exercises are done step-by-step in that software."
"While it's Affinity Photo specific, the underlying B&W concepts are broadly applicable to editing in general."
Good for beginners and experienced users.
"Even as someone relatively new to Affinity Photo, I found the course easy to follow and incredibly informative."
"It's great for taking your basic B&W skills to the next level, whether you're a beginner or have some experience."
"Perfect for both beginners looking to learn the basics of B&W editing in Affinity Photo and experienced users wanting new techniques and workflows."
Hands-on projects reinforce learning.
"The exercise files provided are great, and the projects at the end really help you bring it all together."
"Working through the three different project examples helped cement all the techniques taught earlier in the course."
"I appreciated having the exercise files to follow along and practice the techniques discussed."
Explains concepts clearly and patiently.
"The instructor explains everything so clearly and patiently. His pace is just right, making it easy to follow along and understand each step..."
"I found the lessons easy to follow thanks to the clear explanations and demonstrations."
"His teaching style is really engaging and makes even potentially complex topics simple to grasp."
Explores multiple B&W conversion methods.
"I learned so many different techniques for black and white editing beyond just a simple desaturation."
"The course covers a wide range of methods, from using curves and channels to split toning and different style effects."
"It shows you multiple sophisticated ways to achieve really stunning black and white looks."
Strong focus on controlling light.
"The section on controlling light and shadow was incredibly valuable and transformative for my B&W work."
"Learning how to shape light in my B&W images using various techniques was a game changer."
"He spends a lot of time showing you how to manipulate light effectively to add drama and depth."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Master Black & White Editing in Affinity Photo with these activities:
Understanding Exposure
Reinforce your understanding of exposure to better control lighting in black and white photography.
View Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on aperture and shutter speed.
  • Practice adjusting exposure settings in different lighting conditions.
  • Analyze how exposure affects the mood of an image.
Practice with Curves Adjustment Layer
Refamiliarize yourself with the Curves Adjustment Layer to master tonal control in Affinity Photo.
Show steps
  • Open Affinity Photo and load a sample image.
  • Create a Curves Adjustment Layer and experiment with the curve.
  • Adjust the curve to modify highlights, shadows, and midtones.
Black and White Photo Series
Create a series of black and white photos to practice the techniques learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a theme for your photo series.
  • Shoot a series of photos based on your chosen theme.
  • Edit the photos in Affinity Photo using black and white techniques.
  • Share your photo series online or with friends.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Lighting Correction Exercises
Improve your ability to correct lighting issues in black and white photos through targeted exercises.
Show steps
  • Find photos with common lighting problems (e.g., underexposure, overexposure).
  • Use Affinity Photo tools to correct the lighting issues.
  • Compare the before and after versions of the photos.
Develop Black and White Presets
Create a set of custom black and white presets in Affinity Photo to streamline your workflow.
Show steps
  • Experiment with different black and white editing techniques.
  • Save your favorite editing settings as presets.
  • Organize your presets into categories (e.g., high contrast, vintage).
  • Apply your presets to different photos and refine them.
The Art of Black and White Photography
Explore the artistic side of black and white photography to enhance your creative vision.
View The Art of Black and White Photography on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on composition and tonality.
  • Analyze the black and white photos in the book.
  • Experiment with different compositional techniques in your own photos.
Help Others with Black and White Editing
Reinforce your knowledge by helping other students with black and white editing techniques.
Show steps
  • Join online photography forums or communities.
  • Answer questions about black and white editing in Affinity Photo.
  • Share your own tips and techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete Master Black & White Editing in Affinity Photo will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Image Retoucher
Image retouchers enhance photographs by removing blemishes, adjusting colors, and improving overall image quality. This course directly applies to image retouchers who specialize in or want to expand into black and white photography. Through the course, Image retouchers can learn techniques for controlling lighting, applying filters, and adding effects such as sepia, noise, and vignettes. Final projects, such as the castle and wedding edits, also can help image retouchers refine their expertise in producing high-quality work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Image Retoucher
Photo Editor
A photo editor enhances and manipulates images to meet the needs of clients or publications. This course is directly relevant to a photo editor's workflow, as it delves into the intricacies of black and white conversion and editing within Affinity Photo. Photo editors can use the skills to master lighting techniques, apply blurs and sharpening, and implementing effects like sepia, noise, and vignettes. The course's focus on projects such as the castle and wedding edits also may be useful for those who want to refine their expertise in producing high-quality black and white images.
See salaries and explore the career path for Photo Editor
Fashion Photographer
Fashion photographers capture images for magazines, advertising campaigns, and catalogs, often working in studios or on location to create visually stunning images. This course helps fashion photographers refine their ability to use black and white photography to enhance the artistic impact of fashion shoots. Fashion photographers can use the course to learn the best methods for turning photos black and white, controlling lighting, and applying various filters and adjustments. Exploring styles ranging from faded shadows and high contrast to vintage effects provides a versatile approach.
See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Photographer
Portrait Photographer
Portrait photographers specialize in capturing images of individuals or groups, often with a focus on capturing their personality and character. This course may be useful for portrait photographers who want to diversify their skill by mastering black and white portraiture. Portrait photographers can take the course to learn the best techniques for controlling lighting, applying filters, and making adjustments to enhance the mood and impact of their black and white portraits. The course's emphasis on projects provides practical experience in portrait retouching.
See salaries and explore the career path for Portrait Photographer
Commercial Photographer
Commercial photographers take pictures for businesses and other organizations, often for use in advertising, marketing, and public relations. This course helps commercial photographers enhance their ability to work with black and white photography in advertising and marketing campaigns. Commercial photographers can use course to learn the best methods for turning photos black and white, controlling lighting, and applying various filters and adjustments. Exploring styles ranging from faded shadows and high contrast to vintage effects provides a versatile approach.
See salaries and explore the career path for Commercial Photographer
Fine Art Printer
Fine art printers produce high quality prints of photographs and other artwork. This course helps fine art printers refine their skill in creating black and white masterpieces. The course teaches different techniques to remove color from an image, control lighting, and apply filters and adjustments to improve black and white photos. With course projects such as applying dreamy glow, simple motion blur, advanced motion blur, and split toning, fine art printers can enhance their ability to create visually striking prints.
See salaries and explore the career path for Fine Art Printer
Product Photographer
Product photographers specialize in capturing images of products for use in advertising, e-commerce, and marketing materials. This course may be useful for product photographers who want to enhance their skill in using black and white photography to showcase the form, texture, and detail of products. Product photographers can take the course to learn the best techniques for controlling lighting, applying filters, and making adjustments to enhance the visual appeal of their images. The course's emphasis on practical projects provides experience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Photographer
Digital Artist
Digital artists create artwork using digital tools and software. A digital artist can enhance their skill set with this course, especially when focusing on monochromatic pieces. The course's comprehensive exploration of black and white editing techniques in Affinity Photo, including lighting control, filters, and adjustments, can greatly benefit a digital artist. Through practical projects, such as creating light beams and fog, or implementing split toning and color pop effects, digital artists can learn to create compelling art pieces. Exploring styles ranging from faded shadows and high contrast to vintage effects provides artists with a versatile approach to their work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Artist
Stock Photographer
Stock photographers create and sell images for use in a variety of commercial and editorial contexts. This course helps stock photographers expand their portfolio with high-quality black and white images that stand out in the stock photography market. Stock photographers can use the course to learn the best methods for turning photos black and white, controlling lighting, and applying various filters and adjustments. With course projects such as applying dreamy glow, simple motion blur, advanced motion blur, and split toning, stock photographers can enhance their expertise.
See salaries and explore the career path for Stock Photographer
Photographer
A photographer captures images that tell a story, document an event, or showcase a subject. This course may be useful for photographers who aim to produce striking black and white photographs, as the course provides instruction on techniques to transform color images into black and white masterpieces using Affinity Photo. Learning to control lighting, apply filters, and make adjustments as taught in this course helps photographers create visually compelling monochromatic images. The course's project-based approach, including the Castle, Balloon, and Wedding Projects, offers practical experience to solidify skill. Photographers can use the skills from this course to build a distinctive portfolio.
See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer
Photojournalist
Photojournalists capture images that document news events, social issues, and everyday life, often working in challenging and unpredictable environments. This course may be useful for photojournalists who want to refine their skill in using black and white photography to create powerful and timeless images. A photojournalist can take the course to learn the best techniques for controlling lighting, applying filters, and making adjustments to enhance the mood and impact of their images. The course's emphasis on practical projects provides experience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Photojournalist
Photo Restoration Specialist
Photo restoration specialists repair and restore damaged or faded photographs, often bringing old memories back to life. This course may be useful for a photo restoration specialist by providing them with the tools to enhance and refine black and white images. Photo restoration specialists can take the course to learn how to control lighting, sharpen textures, and apply various techniques to improve the clarity and quality of restored photos. The skills acquired through this course can greatly improve the quality of restored images.
See salaries and explore the career path for Photo Restoration Specialist
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers create visual concepts that communicate ideas and messages. This course may be useful for a graphic designer who wishes to add depth to their design skills by mastering black and white image manipulation. A graphic designer can take the course to learn to remove color from an image, control lighting, and apply various filters and adjustments. The course's focus on techniques like creating light beams, fog, vignettes, and sharpen textures help graphic designers to elevate their designs and create visually striking effects. Exploring styles ranging from faded shadows and high contrast to vintage effects provides a versatile approach.
See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer
Web Designer
Web designers plan, create, and code internet sites and web pages, many of which include photographs and edited images. This course may be useful for web designers who want to refine their skills in black and white image manipulation. Web designers can use the course to learn the various techniques for controlling the lighting of photos, applying filters, and making adjustments. With course projects such as applying dreamy glow, simple motion blur, advanced motion blur, and split toning, web designers can enhance their expertise in producing high-quality images.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer
Studio Manager
A studio manager oversees the daily operations of a photography or art studio. They may benefit from this course to better understand the technical aspects of image editing, particularly in black and white. The course can help studio managers learn the best methods for converting images to black and white, controlling lighting, and applying various filters. By understanding these techniques, the studio manager can better guide the studio's creative direction, assist photographers, and ensure high-quality output.
See salaries and explore the career path for Studio Manager

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Master Black & White Editing in Affinity Photo.
Cover image
The Art of Black and White Photography
Save
Delves into the artistic aspects of black and white photography, exploring composition, tonality, and emotional impact. It provides inspiration and guidance for creating visually compelling images. This book is more valuable as additional reading to expand your artistic vision. It is not commonly used as a textbook, but it is highly recommended for photographers seeking to elevate their black and white work.
The Art of Black and White Photography
Paperback
Check
The Art of Black and White Photography
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition
Save
Provides a solid foundation in understanding exposure, which is crucial for effective black and white photography. It explains the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, and how they impact the final image. Understanding these concepts will allow you to make informed decisions about lighting and composition, leading to better black and white conversions. This book is commonly used by photography students and enthusiasts.
Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to...
Paperback
$$
Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to...
Kindle Edition
$

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Course image
Rating
4.8 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
2.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Affinity Revolution
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores various techniques for controlling lighting, which is essential for creating visually appealing black and white images and adding depth to photographs
Teaches how to apply filters and adjustments to enhance black and white photos, which is useful for refining images and achieving specific artistic effects
Covers sharpening and blurring techniques, which are useful for controlling focus and creating different moods in black and white photography
Includes projects such as castle, balloon, and wedding photography, which allows learners to apply their skills to real-world scenarios and build a portfolio
Features a section on color correction, which is useful for understanding how color information translates into black and white tones and how to adjust them
Requires Affinity Photo, so learners will need to acquire a license or trial version of the software to fully participate in the course and complete the projects
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