Free-Edit Live & Online: Monochrome and Infrared

Join me, Luke Tscharke, for a free, interactive online editing session focused on black and white, with infrared editing in the mix as well. This hour-long Zoom session offers a behind-the-scenes look at my editing process as I work on previously unseen photos from my landscape photography around Tasmania, images I think will work in monochrome.

A lot of the craft in black and white happens before any sliders move, in choosing which images suit a monochrome treatment at all. I'll open by talking through how I make that call, what I look for in tone, shape and light, then get into the edit itself, working in real time and making the decisions on the spot.

In my view, black and white is largely a matter of taste, and mine runs to deep blacks, bright whites and a good spread of tones between them, with the contrast optimised to suit each image. I'll also share before and afters of some of my award-winning images, with the ideas behind each edit, so you leave with approaches you can try on your own work.

We'll cover techniques like the black and white colour mixer, where you choose which colours in the original become light or dark tones, contrast adjustments and tonal balance specific to monochrome images, dodge and burn for enhancing texture and detail, local adjustments using masks and brushes, and the infrared channel swap. I'll be demonstrating my workflow using various tools, including Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, and discussing some of the plugins and additional software I use to enhance my images. While some familiarity with photo editing software would be beneficial, all skill levels are welcome to join and learn.

Free Edit Live & Online: These Zoom sessions show you the true process of how a professional photographer edits, reflecting the real world rather than a curated scenario. If you are looking for a more structured tutorial session keep an eye out for my paid online tutorials here on Sony Scene.

The session is designed to be casual, friendly, and relaxed. You're welcome to simply watch and listen, or actively participate by asking questions throughout the edit. Even if you don't shoot in black and white or infrared much, it's still worth tuning in to learn about shot selection and tonal control in landscape photography. You can always apply these techniques to other images. At the end of the session, we'll have a brief Q&A to address any additional queries.

This session is open to all photographers, regardless of the camera brand you use. Whether you're new to editing or looking to refine your skills with black and white and infrared images, you'll have the opportunity to pick up tips and techniques that you can apply to your own workflow.

Session Details

• Topic: Free-Edit Live & Online: Monochrome and Infrared
• Date: Tuesday, 20th October
• Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM AEDT
• Platform: Zoom (registration required via provided link)
• Cost: Free
• Spots available: 50
• Recording: The session may be recorded by the host for review and process improvement. Participants are also welcome to record their own local copy for personal use. No replay will be published. Zoom notifies all attendees when a recording is in progress.

Important: Zoom registration is required to attend this session. After booking through Sony Scene, you'll receive a separate email with the Zoom registration link. Please complete this registration to secure your spot.

Register now to secure your spot in this free session.

If you'd like help with your own images, my one-on-one mentoring sessions are on my Sony Scene profile.

• Editing is live and exploratory, however we'll likely cover:

  • Choosing the images that suit black and white or infrared, and how I cull a folder down to them
  • The black and white colour mixer: deciding which colours become light or dark tones
  • Raw file processing in Adobe Lightroom for tone and contrast, aiming for deep blacks, bright whites and a good spread of tones
  • The infrared channel swap
  • Dodge and burn techniques for enhancing texture and detail
  • Local adjustments using masks and brushes to control tonal balance
  • Preparing monochrome images for print and social media

• A reliable internet connection
• Zoom software installed on your device
• Optional: Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop if you want to follow along
• Optional: your own images you're considering for black and white or infrared
• Prepare any questions you have about black and white or infrared editing