Personalized Photoshop Instruction Using Your Own Photographs

Great photos aren’t taken. They’re made. And no other photo-editing program offers the creative possibilities of Photoshop.

Classroom instruction is an excellent way to learn Photoshop, but scheduled classes may not always fit your schedule, location., or your specific needs.

My one-on-one coaching uses a distinctive learn-by-editing approach. Instead of following generic exercises, we begin with your photographs and the results you want to achieve.

Whether you want to make colors more vibrant, correct composition flaws, or create a dramatic black-and-white conversion similar to what I’m showing on this website, we’ll identify what each image needs, apply the appropriate Photoshop techniques and discuss the reasoning behind every adjustment.

You won’t simply learn which tools to use—my goal is to help you learn how to make better editing decisions on your own.

You’ll leave with a stronger photograph and a process you can apply to future images.

Private 90-minute session: $125

Available online through Zoom (*or in person within Chicago Area - add $10 if travel is required)

Learn Photoshop Using Your Own Photographs

Every session is customized around your experience, questions and photographic goals.

Whether you’re learning Photoshop for the first time or trying to solve a challenging editing problem, we’ll concentrate on the tools and techniques that will make the greatest difference in your work.

I can help you with:

• Camera Raw adjustments •Black-and white conversion

• Composition and visual impact •Contrast and tonal control

• Selections and masking •Sharpening and noise reduction

• Layers and adjustment layers •Preparing photographs for printing

• Removing distractions (including wires, people, imperfections etc.) •Creating painterly and mixed-media effects

• Replacing or improving skies •Developing a faster editing workflow

• Dodging and burning •AI image generation

  Beginners are welcome. More experienced photographers can use a session to solve a particular problem, refine their workflow or take an important image further.

How Private Photoshop Coaching Works

1. Send Me Your Photograph

Before we meet, send me the image—or images—you would like to work on. Tell me what you like about the photograph, what isn’t working and what you hope to accomplish.

2. Edit the Photograph With Me

During the session, you’ll share your screen and work on the photograph while I guide you step by step.

Instead of simply telling you which tools to use, I’ll explain why I’m recommending each adjustment.

3. Apply What You Learned

Our goal is not merely to improve one photograph. You’ll learn editing techniques and decision-making skills that you can apply to your other images.

Meet Your Photoshop Instructor

I’m Jim Signorelli, a fine-art architectural photographer and Photoshop instructor based in Evanston, Illinois.

I have taught photography and photo editing at the Evanston Art Center for several years, including courses in Photoshop for Photographers and The Art of Photo Editing.

My teaching style is patient, practical nd easy to understand. I won’t overwhelm you with every feature in Photoshop. We’ll concentrate on the tools and decisions that help you create more compelling photographs.

Read more about me here

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need previous Photoshop experience?

No. Each lesson is adjusted to your experience level. I work with complete beginners as well as photographers who already use Photoshop but want to improve their editing.

Can we work on more than one photograph?

Usually. We can work on as many images as time permits, although concentrating on one challenging photograph often provides the greatest learning value.

Can you edit my photograph for me?

The primary purpose of these sessions is instruction, so we normally edit the photograph together. If you would prefer to have an image professionally edited, ask me about availability and pricing.

What do I need for an online lesson?

You’ll need a computer with the latest version of Photoshop installed, an internet connection and ability to accessZoom. You should also have the original image files you want to work on. The photos you take can be taken with anything from a phone camera, a DSLR or a mirrorless camera.

How much does a private session cost?

A private 90-minute Photoshop coaching session is $125.

Let’s Improve Your Next Photograph

If you have an image that isn’t quite working—or a Photoshop technique you’ve always wanted to understand—I’m here to help.

Private 90-minute Photoshop session: $125

Available online or in person within Chicago area.