When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 8 modules in this course
Together with your instructor, Ally, creator of Affinity Revolution, learn how to transform ordinary color photos into breathtaking black & white masterpieces using Affinity Photo. Whether you're editing portraits, landscapes, or creative compositions, this course will guide you through professional workflows for removing color, shaping light, and enhancing detail to achieve stunning results.
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
* Convert color images into expressive black & white photographs using the most accurate desaturation methods
* Control lighting and contrast to direct attention and create visual impact
* Apply sharpening, blurring, and tonal adjustments to refine your final images
This course is ideal for photographers, designers, and creative hobbyists who want to elevate their editing skills and gain a deeper understanding of monochrome editing. To be successful in this course, you should be comfortable with the basic tools and interface of Affinity Photo.
We’ll work step by step—from exploring tonal conversion methods to completing hands-on editing projects designed to reinforce your skills. Join us and become a black & white editing pro with Affinity Photo!
Instructor bio:
Ally, the creator of Affinity Revolution, has been teaching people how to use the Affinity creative suite since 2016. Through her easy-to-follow tutorials on Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher, she focuses on delivering maximum value in minimal time—making complex tools feel simple and approachable. Ally knows that learning Affinity can feel overwhelming at first, but with her step-by-step guidance, you’ll quickly gain confidence and master the skills to bring your creative projects to life.
Start your journey into black and white editing by learning the fundamentals of tone, mood, and file preparation. You’ll discover the best ways to convert your photos to black and white and prepare your workspace for deeper edits.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 14 minutes
Class Introduction•2 minutes
Black & White Fundamentals•0 minutes
The Art of Black & White•2 minutes
The Best Way to Turn Photos Black & White•10 minutes
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
Project Instructions•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Lighting & Tone Control Essentials
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
Learn how to manipulate light to create powerful emotional effects in your images. This module explores both technical tools and creative techniques to shape light and shadow like a pro.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 24 minutes
Curves Adjustment Layer•8 minutes
Overlay Painting•4 minutes
Lighting Practice Project•3 minutes
The Magic of Shapes•0 minutes
Creating Light•5 minutes
Light Beams•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 2 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Atmospheric Effects & Vignetting
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
Master techniques for enhancing atmosphere in your black and white images. You’ll create depth and focus through vignettes, blurring, and environmental effects like fog.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 14 minutes
Un-Mask the Subject•4 minutes
Creating Fog•3 minutes
Editable Vignette•3 minutes
Blurred Photo Frame•4 minutes
Sharpening & Blurring•0 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 3 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Texture, Blur & Glow Effects
Module 4•1 hour to complete
Module details
Dive into textural and stylistic techniques that elevate your images. You’ll learn how to fine-tune details and create dynamic effects like motion blur and dreamy glow.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 23 minutes
Sharpening Textures•3 minutes
Un-Sharpening•1 minute
Adding Noise•2 minutes
Blurred Vignette•3 minutes
Tilt Shift Blur•3 minutes
Dreamy Glow•2 minutes
Simple Motion Blur•2 minutes
Advanced Motion Blur•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 4 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Combining Black & White with Color
Module 5•1 hour to complete
Module details
Explore the intersection of color and monochrome. This module teaches you how to add expressive toning and subtle color blending to your black and white edits for added drama and emotion.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 10 minutes
Black & White + Color•0 minutes
Sepia•2 minutes
Split Toning•2 minutes
Color Pop Effect•3 minutes
Black & White Trick•3 minutes
When Color Can’t Cut It•0 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 5 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Correcting & Enhancing the Image
Module 6•1 hour to complete
Module details
Refine your edits with targeted corrections and stylistic enhancements. Learn how to troubleshoot common photo issues and apply artistic black and white styles to unify your visual message.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 7 minutes
Color Correction•1 minute
Lighting Correction•2 minutes
Dullness Correction•2 minutes
Black & White Styles•0 minutes
Faded Shadows•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 6 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
High-Impact Styles & Creative Looks
Module 7•1 hour to complete
Module details
Take your black and white editing to new heights by exploring advanced styles. You’ll craft bold, gritty, or vintage edits that demand attention and elevate your portfolio.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 33 minutes
High Contrast•3 minutes
Ultra High Contrast•4 minutes
Gritty Sports Effect•4 minutes
Light in the Darkness•3 minutes
Dramatic Backlight•9 minutes
Vintage•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 7 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Final Projects & Portfolio Practice
Module 8•2 hours to complete
Module details
Wrap up the course with full-length projects that bring together everything you’ve learned. Practice on provided files or your own images, and build portfolio-ready pieces to showcase your black and white editing mastery.
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When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.