Mastering Fine Art Printing
Workshop 2025
Dates: September 9-12. 2025
Times: 9:00-5:00ish
Tuition: $1800 Early Bird $1500 or $500 deposit
Workshop Type: In Studio
Location: Langley, Wa (Located on Whidbey Island)
Are you a photographer struggling to achieve the desired look for your images? Have you considered printing your work? Are you printing your work and want to take the prints to the next level.?
Physical prints provide a distinct perspective on composition, editing choices, and content, fostering a deeper connection with your images. By enrolling in our Mastering the Fine Art Print workshop, you’ll receive personalized, hands-on training in creating high-quality fine art prints. We delve into the art of printing, guiding you to produce stunning images that mirror your artistic vision. You’ll also master the skill of effectively evaluating prints and images. This workshop is open to all digital printing enthusiasts, regardless of skill level, offering a platform to learn and exchange new knowledge and skills.
If you’re uncertain about whether this workshop is right for you, rest assured that it’s designed to be a step-by-step journey with personalized attention as required. It’s a perfect fit for anyone eager to enhance their photography and printing skills. Our workshops are tailored for all digital learning enthusiasts, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to refine their shooting and editing skills. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, there’s always something new to discover and share. Join us and elevate your photography to new heights!
The workshop takes place at my personal studio on Whidbey Island, just outside the charming town of Langley. The days commence at 9:00 am and conclude around 4:30 or 5:00. The price includes all necessary paper, ink, and print supplies, as well as a delicious lunch each day.
REGISTRATION LIMITED TO FOUR PARTICIPANTS
What to expect
Step into my studio and home for a four-day, hands-on workshop dedicated to the art of making your best print possible. This intimate experience is designed to help you refine both your technical skills and creative vision. Through in-depth image reviews, lively group discussions, and inspiration from master photographers, we’ll dive deep into what makes a powerful photographic print.
You’ll have plenty of time to work on your own images—experimenting with different papers, surfaces, and print sizes—to discover what brings your photographs to life. Whether you’re fine-tuning a single image or exploring a series, this workshop offers the space, tools, and feedback to help you elevate your work to the next level.
Core Content
Introduction to Basic Color Management
A strong print starts with accurate color. In this session, you’ll learn the foundational principles of color management, including monitor calibration, working color spaces, and how to ensure consistency from screen to final print. This essential knowledge helps eliminate surprises and builds trust in your workflow.
RAW Editing Workflows for Camera RAW and Lightroom
Your digital darkroom is where your vision takes shape. We’ll explore efficient and expressive editing workflows in both Camera RAW and Lightroom—focusing on tools that support tonal precision, color balance, and print-ready output, all while keeping your files non-destructive and flexible.
Basics of Noise Reduction and Sharpening
Striking the right balance between detail and smoothness is key to a successful print. You’ll learn how to assess and apply noise reduction and sharpening techniques appropriate for different image types and output sizes—preserving clarity without introducing artifacts.
Printing Both Color and Black and White
While the principles may overlap, printing in color versus black and white presents unique challenges and opportunities. We’ll explore side-by-side workflows and settings to help you get the most out of your printer, including how to optimize color vibrancy and tonal subtlety in each case.
Maximizing Your Printer and Print Settings
Get the most from your printer by understanding how print drivers, media settings, and resolution choices impact the final result. We’ll walk through best practices for different printers and paper types so you can consistently produce the best output your equipment is capable of.
Soft Proofing
Learn how to use soft proofing tools to anticipate how your image will look on paper before you print. We’ll discuss how to read soft proofs, make necessary corrections, and interpret gamut warnings to bridge the gap between screen and print with confidence.
Print Reviews
One of the most valuable parts of the workshop, these group and one-on-one sessions are devoted to reviewing your prints. We’ll offer constructive feedback focused on both technical execution and artistic intent—helping you refine your work and see new possibilities in your images.
Storing Prints
Best practices for safe handling, storage materials, and environmental conditions to ensure your work remains pristine over time—whether for archival storage, sale, or exhibition.
Understanding Paper Characteristics
Explore surface types, weight, brightness, and how they impact image tone and mood.
Choosing the Right Paper for Your Image
Matching subject matter and intent with paper types for optimal expression.
Creating and Using Custom ICC Profiles
Introduction to building and applying profiles for accurate color rendering.
Image Scaling and Resolution Management
Best practices for enlarging or reducing images without sacrificing quality.
Border Considerations and Print Presentation
How borders, margins, and image placement affect the viewing experience.
Editioning and Signing Your Prints
Professional practices for limited editions and artist signatures.
Archival Practices and Materials
Ensuring your prints last—inks, papers, storage conditions, and framing options.
Troubleshooting Common Print Issues
Banding, color shifts, unexpected tonal shifts—and how to fix them.
Building a Print Series or Portfolio
Sequencing, cohesion, and visual storytelling in print collections.
What you’ll need
You will need a laptop computer and a collection of images to work with during the workshop.
You will also need to bring some existing prints or digital images for us to view on the first day of the workshop to get a sense of who you are as a photographer.
I will provide paper, ink, supplies and snacks used in the studio.
We will send you a detailed information document before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and image recommendations, and more.
Guidelines
We treat each other with mutual respect.
We do not engage in disruptive or unsafe behavior that disturbs others, threaten others physically, or engage in verbal harassment.
We don’t act unreasonably or interfere with others’ use of the facilities (online or in-person) or class time.
When providing feedback, we provide honest, open dialogs about our work and the work of others in a respectful manner.
Silly Dog Studios does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran.
Silly Dog Studios values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of people in our community. Encouraging and protecting diversity creates an environment that promotes freedom of thought and shared learning.
Please note that anyone who violates these guidelines will be removed from a workshop, course, or program. No refunds will be given.
Can I be put on a waitlist?
Absolutely. Life happens and we want to make sure that we can get you in a workshop if at all possible. If the workshop is full, we will take down your name and contact you if a spot becomes available.
Are there any prerequisites for attending a workshop?
For almost all of the workshops there are no prerequisites. In the event a workshop does require some advanced or prior knowledge it will be specifically called out on the workshop registration page. If you are ever concerned about the specific topics or technical requirements for a workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to answer any of your questions so that you can feel great about your decision to sign up.
What do I need to bring?
Each workshop has a different set of needs. Once you register, you will be sent a detailed handout about the workshop or event. The booklet contains details about the workshop content, locations, directions to the studio and complete workshop schedule. It also includes a list of required materials and optional materials.
However, for most workshops, participants need to bring their computers. Digital cameras are required for on-location or shooting workshops. The studio equipment (printers, scanners, etc.) is available for participant use during each workshop. While we run Macs in our studio, workshops are mostly Adobe-centric or universal software centric, so Windows-based PC users should have few concerns about compatibility. I also worked for several years at Microsoft and have lots of Windows experience.
We use a variety of media. If you want to print on alternate substrates, please bring your preferred media.
For online workshops, you only need access to the Internet and a working device to connect to the session via the provided link.
Do I need to bring my own computer?
Yes, you will need to bring a computer. We don’t have computers for you to use. If computers are not required for the workshop, we will let you know in advance.
For smaller workshops or online sessions, many of our attendees prefer just to take notes the old fashion way.
Do you offer payment plans?
Some workshops do have a non-refundable, transferable deposit, but unless noted, a workshop payment is due in full at the time of registration. We do understand that sometimes it makes sense to be able to pay for the cost of a workshop over time. If you want to discuss that as an option, please contact us and we can figure out something that will work for you to be able to attend the workshop.
Do you offer any discounts?
Some workshops do offer an early-bird rate. The early bird rate, when offered, will be automatically calculated in the price. The rate is available for workshops with early-bird pricing until four weeks before the workshop start date.
I also offer a discount for alums and referrals. If you want an alum or referral discount, please get in touch with me before registering for your discount code.
Alum discounts may not be used for any online class or workshops except for the Meaningful Image full-length course.
Do you offer refunds?
For most in-person workshops, payments are due in full at the time of registration. Our approach is that your payment for the program is a commitment to participate, just as it is our commitment to provide the best experience possible. It is a commitment on both our parts.
So, the short answer is we don’t provide refunds on workshops, classes and courses.
If you need to cancel your reservation with more than 60 days’ notice, funds paid are transferable to a future workshop space permitting. With less than 60 days until the workshop, there are no refunds or transfers. There are no refunds or transfers for any reason once the event, class or workshop date has begun. We highly suggest that you get trip insurance to reduce your risk.
