Class: Black & White Photography Made Simple: Shooting & Editing (Zoom Class)

NOTE: This class is FREE for anyone who has signed up for the Alaska Photography Cruise in August. Since this is one of the classes we’ll be teaching on the cruise, your registration already covers it.

Join us for a relaxed and practical Zoom class where we’ll explore how to create powerful black and white images—both in camera and in editing. This session focuses on real results, not confusing settings, so you can walk away knowing exactly how to achieve the look you want.

WHY TAKE A BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS?

Black and white photography strips things down to what really matters—light, contrast, and storytelling. In this class, we’ll focus on how to see differently and edit with intention, without getting buried in technical jargon. Whether you're new to editing or have some experience, this approach keeps things simple and practical.

• Black and white photography has been used for over a century to emphasize composition over color—many early photographers relied entirely on light and shadow to tell a story.
• “Noir” style imagery, popularized in 1940s–50s films, still influences modern portrait and street photography today with its moody, high-contrast look.
• Many “bad” photos—like overexposed shots, noisy images, or mixed lighting—can often be salvaged and turned into compelling black and white images with the right approach.

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

Come hang out with us on Zoom as we walk through how to shoot and edit black and white photography in a way that actually makes sense. We’ll cover the why behind black and white images, how to recognize when an image works better without color, and how to bring it to life through editing.
We’ll go through different styles of black and white photography, along with practical tips for shooting with contrast, texture, and composition in mind. During the session, we’ll also walk through editing techniques in both Lightroom and Photoshop, focusing on how to achieve specific looks instead of memorizing settings.
Depending on the group, we can also do some live editing demos—so you can see the full process from start to finish—and we’ll leave time at the end for questions and discussion.

If you’ve ever felt like editing tools are overwhelming or too technical, this class is designed to keep things approachable. The focus is on results, not jargon, so you can follow along without feeling lost.
This class is open to all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or have been editing for a while, you’ll be able to follow along and pick up new ideas. Any camera is fine—even a phone.

IMPORTANT INFO:

• Zoom link will be provided before the class
• We’ll also talk about sharing your work after the class for feedback and critique

RSVP AND PAYMENT INFO:

• If you need to change your RSVP, please post a comment below so others know a spot has opened up.
• Rain or shine, no refunds, no transfers.
• See (our FAQ webpage)[https://houstonphotowalks.com/faq/] for Payment, RSVP, and other questions.
• Organizers may not see emails/texts/comments during events.