Blue Room Photography

 I booked a place on this course thinking that I could use Photoshop fairly well, week 1 changed my belief I learnt how to set up and make of many features in Adobe Camera Raw. Moving on I learnt ways to make a selection in Photoshop and easier than the methods I knew. Then we were shown how to use Levels Adjustment Layers and how much could be done with them, tips and tricks that were hidden in plain sight. In one session we explored Curves, what a tool. Throughout the entirity of the course Jonathan displayed a professional but extremely friendly manner, no question went unanswered this was by far the best photo editing course I have ever taken and was great value for money. Can’t wait to start the Advanced Course, I could not rate this course any higher. If you are even thinking about a photo editing course I would recommend you stop thinking and get this course booked. 5* course and then some. 

David

 Your course has been the best for me as you provided such a structured step by step approach and I am enjoying the learning. Absolutely brilliant... 

Lucy

 Jonathan’s 5-part workshop series is delivered in a friendly way, and with great clarity. Each session builds on what you’ve learnt from the previous ones, revealing more and more exciting features. Jonathan uses his own images to illustrate the talks, but also encourages us to play – to surprising and great effect. (NIK Collection) 

David

 I would recommend Jonathan and his courses to anyone who is looking for ways to improve their images or who want to experiment – it’s great fun! 

David L

 The sessions were well structured and contained many examples of how each application could best be employed. Delegates were encouraged to contribute fully, and no question seemed too trivial for Jonathan; all were answered fully. I learnt a great deal from the sessions and found them to be both enjoyable and informative. I would have no hesitation in joining further sessions with Jonathan in the future.” 

Malcolm

 I have done a few of Jonathan’s workshops and each one has been delivered in a very relaxed easy to follow way. I gained a lot of useful knowledge and tips from each workshop which has given me more skills to enhance my own images 

Lorraine G

 “I can thoroughly recommend the Pastel Workshop. It’s very well organized, emails contained lots of information and downloadable images for you to use. The course is delivered at a steady pace, giving lots of instruction that is easy to follow and sharing useful Photoshop tips along the way. Jonathan’s relaxed and friendly manner puts you at ease and was on hand throughout the period between workshops to answer any problems I was having. By the end of the workshops I now understand the methods for creating a Pastel image and look forward to putting them into practice.” 

Jayne

 I have attended several workshops presented by Jonathan under the auspices of RPS & and others, I would recommend Jonathan as a learner centred tutor with excellent communication skills, empathy and exhaustive knowledge. His attention to detail and enthusiasm ensure an engaging, valuable and enjoyable experience. These workshops are for anyone who wishes to understand the theory & practice of utilising Photoshop software to produce beautiful & varied images 

Isabella

 I enjoyed the course you tutored on the Nik software collection as I found the course friendly, well organised and well presented giving me an insight on how to get the best out of the programme. Having owned the Nik software for sometime without making use of it I enjoyed learning about each of the modules. 

Rob

 Hey, just a big thanks for bringing back my MoJo. Photoshop was a place I feared but now..........it's a place I play. 

Dawn

 I am a long-time subscriber to Nik but rarely used it. When I did use it, it was mainly on Color Efex and an occasional dabble with Silver Efex but some experienced club photographers steered me away from Silver Efex in favour of manual adjustment via Photoshop. However, on an off chance I got a place on Jonathan’s course at the last minute when someone had dropped out. I had little to lose except a few Friday mornings. I can say that now at the end of the course another journey with Nik filters is starting. I have seen the power of its tools and use of the control points throughout its parts. It a different process but just a couple of tries make you see the versatility of the Nik package when used as part of a workflow. The lessons were geared to an introduction to the main parts of the package, settings, and basic use but with an emphasis on the use of control points being the main ‘selling point’ of Nik as part of a photographer’s workflow. Time was spent on developing the usage of the parts of the package focussing on the specialities of the products with the total package. Plenty of working examples to follow. Jonathan even went as far as to cover all the variants of the package including the older versions so that everyone was catered for. During the course, the pace picked up but of course the main earlier lessons were referred to and reinforced as we toured our way through that package collecting gems like Sonic the Hedgehog collecting golden rings. There was always something new and eye opening so that by the end of the lessons we were eager to get out there and start to get the value out of the Nik package. Jonathan was always on hand to offer support if needed and now I can take his advice rather than the experienced club photographers who haven’t had the benefit of a good Nik education – yet. I can thoroughly recommend the course. I’m happy now that I have a powerful tool in my armoury, and I know how to use it. Now for some more practice. 

Robin P

 I found the recent course that I attended on Zoom carried out by Jonathan to be very informative. The pace of the course was very good and allowed each subject to be delivered over a number of weeks in manageable sessions, allowing the information to be taken on board and practiced throughout the week before the next session. The working example supplied made learning very easy. Thank you for an excellent course. 

Len

 I attended the first presentation of 'The Nik Collection with Jonathan. Session one took us through the basics applicable to all modules then each week we took a deeper dive into specific modules with live examples of editing. Jonathan provided copies of the images so we could practice at home and we were also encouraged to submit our own images. The group was small enough to be informal and friendly and Jonathan's presentation style helped with that with everything explained very clearly. At the end we could submit an image fully edited in Nik that Jonathan then went through and commented on. Altogether a very worthwhile course, I'm getting a lot more out of Nik now. 

Dave B

 I have just signed off from the last of this series of Photoshop for Photographers workshops, led by Jonathan Vaines. I have learnt so much about this amazingly powerful software and will be spending a lot of time, re-watching the workshops, alongside the demo images, plus my own and trying out the fabulous techniques we have been shown. Jonathan is so knowledgable and has an incredibly calm and clear way of describing how to use the software to best effect. Two hours for each session was just right, meaning we could get into each particular topic in detail without being completely flooded with information. I have signed up for the advanced course and am hugely looking forward to it! Thank you 

Sarah