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Course for Beginner and Practicing Photographers: Individual Training in Photography and Retouching in Brussels

Have you bought a camera, mastered the basic settings, and are ready to transition from amateur snapshots to professional visuals? My intensive course is designed specifically for those with minimal experience who are looking for structured knowledge and practical experience in the studio and on location.
I am Dmitry Derkach, a commercial photographer in Brussels, Belgium. I will share my expertise so you can confidently work with light, models, and, crucially, process images quickly and effectively.

Studio Photography Training

The studio is your laboratory, where you have full control over the light and are not dependent on the weather. In this module, we will explore how to create professional volume and shape using two key types of lighting. You will learn to work with continuous light (for visual control) and powerful flash light (for "freezing" motion and achieving maximum sharpness). This skill is indispensable for catalog and portrait photography in Brussels.

Mastering Studio Light: Continuous and Strobe

We will master both types of studio lighting so you can confidently work in any professional studio in Brussels.

  • Continuous Light (Constant Light): We will study the operation of LED sources. This is the ideal tool for beginners as it allows you to see the result in real time.
  • Practice: Creating soft and hard shadows using modifiers (softboxes, stripboxes).
  • Strobe Light (Flash): We will understand how to synchronize flashes with the camera and use their power for your individual tasks.
  • Lighting Schemes: Practical training on basic, yet effective schemes (one-point, two-point, three-point) for creating a volumetric portrait.

On-Location Training

The key skill of a professional photographer is the ability to adapt to any lighting conditions offered by the beautiful nature and architecture of Belgium. At this stage, we will learn not only to "read" natural light but also to transform it using artificial sources. This will give you the confidence to work with clients in the most unpredictable locations in Brussels and beyond.

On-Location Shooting: Natural Light and External Flash

You will learn to work with unpredictable natural light — a key skill for a photographer in Belgium, especially when working with clients on external shoots.

  • Understanding Light: How to find the "golden hour," how to use shadow for portraits, and how to turn "harsh" midday sun into an advantage.
  • Controlling External Flash (Speedlight/Godox): We will learn to use a portable flash off-camera (Off-Camera Flash) to balance it with natural light (Fill Light). We will master wireless synchronization.
  • Portraits on Location: Practice in iconic spots in Brussels with coaching on posing, model interaction, and quickly switching between natural and artificial light.

Retouching Training (From RAW to Finished Image)

Retouching accounts for 50% of the final image quality. I will show you how to achieve a professional look without spending hours on it.

Lesson 1: Working in Adobe Lightroom

Lightroom is your first and most important tool for working with RAW files and batch processing.
  • Import and Cataloging: Fast importing, sorting, and organizing shots (a must-have for large commercial projects).
  • Basic Correction: Working with white balance, exposure, shadows, and highlights.
  • Color and Tone: Creating your unique color profile (Color Grading) and applying presets.

Lesson 2: Basic Retouching and Cleaning in Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is the surgical tool for finalizing the image.

  • Layers and Masks: Understanding layers and masks for non-destructive retouching.
  • Skin and Object Cleaning: Fast removal of defects, working with Dodge and Burn techniques, frequency separation, working with hair, eyes, lips, etc.
  • Liquify: Fundamentals of shape correction (body, clothing, hairstyle).

Lesson 3: Automation, Plugins, and Time Saving

The most valuable lesson is how to set up a workflow so that retouching takes minimal time.

  • Creating Actions: How to record and apply repetitive actions (e.g., final sharpening, conversion to Web-size) with one click.
  • Useful Plugins: Overview and integration of plugins for accelerated skin retouching.
  • Q&A: Detailed breakdown of your practical questions and common mistakes.

Ready to Elevate Your Level?

The training module is flexible, and the number of lessons can vary from 1 to 10 or more, depending on your current level and goals. I practice an individual approach to ensure the most effective and fast results for every student.
If you want your photographs to meet European standards for commercial photography, it's time to invest in your education.
Book your personal shooting and retouching course in Brussels today
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