Photography Workshops - at Matte Black Camera

Most photographers struggle in Lightroom not because it is complicated, but because they are guessing. This workshop replaces trial-and-error with a clear, repeatable editing system so you always know what to do next and why you are doing it.

In this guided, hands-on session, we will work step-by-step through a complete real-world workflow using your own images, from import to final export. The focus is on clarity, consistency, and control, so you leave editing with confidence instead of uncertainty.

You’ll learn:

• Import & Organization – How to keep your Lightroom library clean and structured
• Correct Editing Order – Cull → Global Adjustments → Local Adjustments → Export
• Global Editing Technique – Setting exposure, color, and tone with intention
• Local Adjustments – Dodging, burning, and refining details carefully
• Batch Consistency – Keeping your style uniform across a full shoot
• When to Leave it Alone – Knowing when not to edit for a stronger final image

Some photographers freeze when they switch their cameras over to video. The settings feel unfamiliar, the results uncontrolled, and the footage rarely looks the way they imagined. This workshop replaces that uncertainty with a clear, repeatable approach to shooting video that actually works.

In this guided, hands-on session, you will learn the few concepts that truly matter, from frame rates and shutter settings to stabilization, sound, and sequencing. The focus is on clarity and confidence, so you can shoot clean, intentional video with the camera you already own.

You’ll learn:

• Frame Rates That Matter – What to use and why
• Shutter Angle / Shutter Speed – Explained clearly, without jargon
• Audio Basics – Clean, clear sound that doesn’t ruin your footage
• Stabilization Techniques – How to hold and move the camera smoothly
• Shooting Sequences – Wide → Medium → Close → Detail → Action for easy edits

This Creative Lighting Lab is a live studio build and guided shooting experience focused on creating cyberpunk-inspired neon portraits using continuous light and RGB LED lighting.

We'll be building a neon scene together from the ground up, explaining creative and technical decisions along the way. You’ll see how color, contrast, light placement, and exposure work together to create a cinematic, futuristic portrait style.

Once the lighting is complete, participants will have the opportunity to photograph and direct a CyberPunk styled model in a controlled studio environment. This is a hands-on session where you can ask questions, observe adjustments in real time, and apply what you’re seeing directly to your own shooting. This event is designed for a mix of beginners and intermediate photographers.

### What we’ll cover

• Building a portrait lighting setup using continuous and RGB LED lights
• How color choices affect mood and skin tone
• Light placement, contrast, and background separation
• Camera settings and exposure considerations for RGB lighting
• Directing a model and composing intentional portraits

### What to bring

• Your own camera and lens
• A basic understanding of how to operate your camera
• Curiosity and a willingness to experiment

### Event details