Digital images of your work are valuable assets that can help you

• Document your work over time

• Promote your work and brand

• Sell more work at higher prices

• Gain access to galleries and collectors

• Exhibit at better art shows, festivals and competitions

• Create derivative products such as Giclee’s and note cards

However, your digital assets are a double-edged sword.  The quality of your digital image says a lot about you as an artist and your work.  Having high quality digital images and how you manage those assets can provide tremendous value to your art business.  But low quality and poorly managed digital assets can actually be very detrimental.  This half-day class can help you get the highest quality images at an affordable cost and then manage those digital assets to create real value for you.

We’ll start with the end in mind - what do you want to do with digital images of your work?  Or, put another way, what do you want your digital images to do for you?  The answer could range from having a set of high-quality images for submitting to galleries, selling your work through an online store and/or creating derivative works for sale.  We'll discuss the range of possibilities and the implications of each, including the potential costs in terms of time and/or money.  Having good images that meet your objectives is not free.  It's never as cheap and easy as pulling your smartphone and snapping a pic.

Then we'll discuss digital imaging fundamentals including image quality, color spaces, file types and sizes, image resolution, etc.   The rest of the class will provide an overview of the digital imaging process:

• Image capture - using your camera, phone or scanner and light to create high-quality images

• Image processing - optimizing image files for use and fixing capture mistakes

• File management - storing, finding and backing up your image files

• Using your images - creating digital files for use on the internet and printed output such as giclée’s

In each section, we'll discuss the necessary tools, tips, tricks, caveats and costs.  Then we'll put it all together by suggesting "recipes" for different types of work and for what you want to do with your images.  By the end of the class, you'll have a better understanding of how to create or acquire high-quality images, as well as how to manage and use those images to create value for you without breaking the bank or taking too much time away from art making.

Class length: 4 hours.  Cost: $50 per person.  You’ll receive a summary document to reference in the future.

For more information, please email Mark at markbgardner@outlook.com or call 360-472-0191.