The Art of Creative Layering
Online Workshop - Recorded
 
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A Creative Collaboration with David Duchens (Click image or button to be redirected to the purchase page.) Price shows in Euros, including taxes. If purchased outside of Europe, VAT is not included. |
Workshop Description
This recording is from a live online workshop held in April 2026.
It includes the videos (4 hours of recordings), as well as the exercise files and a 128-page PDF document.
You’ll receive the download links shortly after payment (PayPal or credit card).
Course Content
Stephanie's Session Description:
Creative layering techniques, whether in the camera or in the processing phase, provide an amazing opportunity to reimagine the world in new ways. By allowing intuition and imagination free reign to play in any given moment, creativity and artistry shine through in uniquely expressive imagery.
By learning how to create layers using camera-based and processing techniques, you will gain the knowledge and skills to infuse depth, dimension, and deeper meaning into your images.
In her presentation, Stephanie guides you through a discussion of how she uses creative layering techniques in the camera for camera-based images, how she pushes the boundaries of camera-based images by layering and blending them in Photoshop, and how she also incorporates handmade cyanotypes into the layering mix to create very distinct images that blend digital and analog processes.
What You’ll Learn – Highlights
Camera-Based Layering Techniques
- Stephanie's approach to using a variety of multiple exposure techniques in the camera for imagery that can stand artistically on its own
- Discussion about the concept of ‘Gathered Elements’ for use later in Photoshop
- Stephanie explains how these imperfect "Gathered Elements" help take the pressure off the creative process in the moment.
Examples of Creative Layering in Photoshop
- Visual examples of how camera-based multiple exposure images can be brought together in the spirit of creative layering using Photoshop blending techniques
- Visual examples of how handmade cyanotype prints can be layered and blended together in Photoshop to create distinctly expressive imagery
Photoshop Demonstration
- Visual exploration of the process to experiment with layering and blending a variety of image files to see what works and what doesn't work for Stephanie through the process of play
- Discussion about the value of experimentation without expectation and allowing intuition to guide the way forward with the process
- If time permits, Stephanie will also demonstrate how she creates textures from her images that can be used as additional textural elements in the layering and blending process.
Who This Is For
- Photographers of all skill levels who want to create multi-layered images that are full of dimension, depth, texture, mood, and emotion
- Those interested in learning easy Photoshop layering and blending techniques, even without extensive knowledge or experience with Photoshop
- Creative photographers wanting to push the boundaries of their camera-based images
- Anyone interested in exploring the concept of ‘Gathered Elements’ as a way to use less-than-perfect camera-based images as layers for blending in Photoshop
Stephanie's approach in Photoshop is rooted more in the idea of exploration and play rather than being specifically technically oriented, so this isn't about using Photoshop as a technical tool but rather as a creative tool.
Stephanie is not an expert Photoshop user. She uses simple Photoshop techniques to create her imagery and believes that anyone can learn how to do this when approaching Photoshop with a spirit of curiosity and willingness to experiment. By sharing her own processes in Photoshop, she hopes to demystify Photoshop in a way that encourages people to give it a try for themselves.
David's Session Description:
In this session, David guides you through a range of powerful techniques designed to create striking creative and motion effects in your images.
The entire presentation is built around post-processing and the intelligent use of professional software tools. Adobe Photoshop is at the heart of the demonstration, as it offers an exceptional range of advanced features capable of producing truly outstanding results.
Explore in depth several key tools, including motion blur filters (directional blur, radial blur, and especially path blur), with detailed explanations of how they work and when to use them for maximum visual impact. David also demonstrates the stacking effect step by step, revealing how to build dynamic, immersive compositions with precision and control.
Beyond Photoshop, demonstrations are given for how tools such as Nik Collection can simplify the creation of multiple-exposure effects, with a particular focus on the Analog Efex filter and its creative potential.
Finally, David introduces selected features from Boris FX Optics, showcasing additional creative possibilities and professional-grade finishing techniques.
Across the two sessions, you will discover two completely different yet highly complementary approaches — giving you a broader creative toolkit and a deeper understanding of how to bring movement and artistic expression to your images.
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A Creative Collaboration with David Duchens (Click image or button to be redirected to the purchase page.) Price shows in Euros, including taxes. If purchased outside of Europe, VAT is not included |
Reviews for the Course
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Janice H. – I had the pleasure of watching Stephanie Johnson’s and David Duchens’ online workshops last April on The Art of Creative Layering. Having taken workshops from both of them before, it was a great opportunity to enjoy the combined talent of both of these creatives. I highly recommend purchasing this course with the bonus of being able to keep the replay for future reference. |
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Carmen S. – David Duchen’s class with Stephanie Johnson was an amazing class. It was more than I expected. First, Stephanie shared so much information on how she makes her ICM images and how she designs and perfects her designs to create beautiful works of art. Then, in the following session, David shared how he processes and perfects his images to obtain his cinematic & beautiful styled architectural images with light and shadows and everything in between. It was truly a photo class worth taking from 2 experts in their field and very reasonably priced too! I appreciate the classes that David offers and how we can also keep the recordings so we can watch them again whenever we want or need to. This is a real bonus. Thank you David for sharing with us your expertise and helping us to become better creators of beautiful photography! |
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Josh K. – Working with David Duchens again was a genuine pleasure. His creative layering workshop introduced techniques I hadn’t encountered before, and his methodical approach to Photoshop makes even complex concepts feel accessible. He teaches with a confidence and ease that keeps you engaged throughout. I also had the opportunity to work with Stephanie Johnson for the first time. Her guidance pushed my creativity in directions I wouldn’t have found on my own, and like David, her teaching style is clear, natural, and easy to follow. Together they created an excellent workshop experience. I’ll be recommending their classes to my photography friends without hesitation. |
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Frances C. - What an amazing collaboration between Stephanie and David! They both approach their creativity from different angles, but it was also clear that they inspired each other as well! It was definitely one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended, and I came away with lots of new ideas to try out—plus, David and Stephanie’s enthusiasm is totally contagious!! |
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Mallory K. - I loved this workshop! I found both David and Stephanie Johnson to be equally inspiring and informative. These two takeaways mean I’ll continue to benefit from the experience for a long time to come. I can’t wait for the next one. |
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Sharon D. - The workshop with Stephanie Johnson and David Duchens was absolutely wonderful. Each class was very inspiring and |
