Looking to work professionally as a photographer? Pick up key skills you will need on this practical course from camera systems, lighting solutions, paperwork and software workflow.
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This is a practical course on the core skills required to become a commercial photographer. Taught by an expert within the field, you will learn a range of techniques and processes including lighting, capturing, file management, retouching and processing images as well as efficiently dealing with the paperwork involved.
What will we cover?
A photographic shoot using studio flash lighting
File handling and processing in Adobe Lightroom, followed by advanced editing techniques in Photoshop
Colour management across the whole process from image capture to output
Print production and finishing
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Light and shoot a person using studio flash
Confidently interact with and pose a person.
Capture and output images using a colour-managed workflow.
Process images for web and print using the most common industry software packages.
Use advanced Photoshop techniques to retouch skin blemishes.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a relatively advanced course and NOT suitable for beginners. You will be expected to have complete control of the manual controls of your camera, a good knowledge of computers and a basic knowledge of image manipulation programs e.g. Photoshop or Lightroom. This is an ideal follow-on course from Fashion Photography, Beauty Retouching and Studio Lighting courses.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through a practical photographic shoot with demonstrations, individual support and group feedback, followed by software demonstrations and exercises with support. Please note, we will be working on Apple Mac computers but the programs used are cross platform and the differences are minor.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your manual camera to the classes; you may also wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of digital SLR and mirrorless cameras Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony), tripods and lenses which are available to you during the hours of the class. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note PC-formatted hard drives can be read by Apple Macs, but not written to).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Areas that cross over with the skills from this course are Studio Lighting, Dramatic Lighting, Lightroom, Photoshop, Beauty Retouching and Fashion Photography.
Ed Gregory is a multi-talented Entrepreneur and photographer. As the owner of Edwin James photography and Picturesnap photography, Ed has over 32 years of experience in Hair and Beauty, Fashion, commercial photography, as well as family portraiture, events, and high-end wedding photography. Each of the businesses covers different aspects of this portfolio. He is an expert in shooting in Natural light, Mixed-light, and studio lighting and holds full professional qualifications with the MPA, BIPP, and the Guild of photographers. Ed's photographic and award-winning retouching and image-making have received accreditations and awards by all of the above national and international governing bodies mentioned. Teaching and Learning are a massive part of Ed's Life, and he feels it's essential to pass on knowledge. His background in education started in 1998, delivering HNC photography to London Students. Joining the CityLit team was a natural progression that has allowed him to give back some of the fantastic knowledge and experience he has accumulated over his long career. Software expertice in retouching using - Photoshop - Lightroom - Creative Cloud
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/photography-commercial-practice3030718Photography: commercial practicehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/d/ed_copy.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Photography theory, talks & discussions22851132170217051228511321702<p>Looking to work professionally as a photographer? Pick up key skills you will need on this practical course from camera systems, lighting solutions, paperwork and software workflow.</p>003030643Photography: commercial practice129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/d/ed_copy_1.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-09-23T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceSep 2026Art & designVY606129129Photography: commercial practice129129129Ed Gregoryphotography-commercial-practice/vy606-2627<p>Looking to work professionally as a photographer? Pick up key skills you will need on this practical course from camera systems, lighting solutions, paperwork and software workflow.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-23 00:00:00<p>This is a practical course on the core skills required to become a commercial photographer. Taught by an expert within the field, you will learn a range of techniques and processes including lighting, capturing, file management, retouching and processing images as well as efficiently dealing with the paperwork involved.</p><p>Looking to work professionally as a photographer? Pick up key skills you will need on this practical course from camera systems, lighting solutions, paperwork and software workflow.</p><ul><li>A photographic shoot using studio flash lighting</li><li>File handling and processing in Adobe Lightroom, followed by advanced editing techniques in Photoshop</li><li>Colour management across the whole process from image capture to output</li><li>Print production and finishing</li></ul><ul><li>Light and shoot a person using studio flash</li><li>Confidently interact with and pose a person.</li><li>Capture and output images using a colour-managed workflow.</li><li>Process images for web and print using the most common industry software packages.</li><li>Use advanced Photoshop techniques to retouch skin blemishes.</li></ul><p>This is a relatively advanced course and NOT suitable for beginners. You will be expected to have complete control of the manual controls of your camera, a good knowledge of computers and a basic knowledge of image manipulation programs e.g. Photoshop or Lightroom. This is an ideal follow-on course from Fashion Photography, Beauty Retouching and Studio Lighting courses.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>You will be taught through a practical photographic shoot with demonstrations, individual support and group feedback, followed by software demonstrations and exercises with support. Please note, we will be working on Apple Mac computers but the programs used are cross platform and the differences are minor.</p><p>Please bring your manual camera to the classes; you may also wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of digital SLR and mirrorless cameras Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony), tripods and lenses which are available to you during the hours of the class. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note PC-formatted hard drives can be read by Apple Macs, but not written to).</p><p>Areas that cross over with the skills from this course are Studio Lighting, Dramatic Lighting, Lightroom, Photoshop, Beauty Retouching and Fashion Photography.</p>PhotographyPhotography theory, talks & discussionsvirtual129129129VY606NONEWed23/09/26 - 30/09/2618:30 - 21:0018:3021:002 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEd GregorySome experienceAvailable courses2026-09-23T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Art & design129129Photography: commercial practicephotography-commercial-practice/vy606-2627<p>Looking to work professionally as a photographer? Pick up key skills you will need on this practical course from camera systems, lighting solutions, paperwork and software workflow.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-23 00:00:00<p>This is a practical course on the core skills required to become a commercial photographer. Taught by an expert within the field, you will learn a range of techniques and processes including lighting, capturing, file management, retouching and processing images as well as efficiently dealing with the paperwork involved.</p><p>Looking to work professionally as a photographer? Pick up key skills you will need on this practical course from camera systems, lighting solutions, paperwork and software workflow.</p><ul><li>A photographic shoot using studio flash lighting</li><li>File handling and processing in Adobe Lightroom, followed by advanced editing techniques in Photoshop</li><li>Colour management across the whole process from image capture to output</li><li>Print production and finishing</li></ul><ul><li>Light and shoot a person using studio flash</li><li>Confidently interact with and pose a person.</li><li>Capture and output images using a colour-managed workflow.</li><li>Process images for web and print using the most common industry software packages.</li><li>Use advanced Photoshop techniques to retouch skin blemishes.</li></ul><p>This is a relatively advanced course and NOT suitable for beginners. You will be expected to have complete control of the manual controls of your camera, a good knowledge of computers and a basic knowledge of image manipulation programs e.g. Photoshop or Lightroom. This is an ideal follow-on course from Fashion Photography, Beauty Retouching and Studio Lighting courses.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>You will be taught through a practical photographic shoot with demonstrations, individual support and group feedback, followed by software demonstrations and exercises with support. Please note, we will be working on Apple Mac computers but the programs used are cross platform and the differences are minor.</p><p>Please bring your manual camera to the classes; you may also wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of digital SLR and mirrorless cameras Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony), tripods and lenses which are available to you during the hours of the class. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note PC-formatted hard drives can be read by Apple Macs, but not written to).</p><p>Areas that cross over with the skills from this course are Studio Lighting, Dramatic Lighting, Lightroom, Photoshop, Beauty Retouching and Fashion Photography.</p>PhotographyPhotography theory, talks & discussionsconfigurable