The 3-Day Aviation Photography Editing Workshop

DAY ONE REPLAY

Wow, what a start to the 3-Day Editing Workshop! With over 500 aviation photographers joining Rich Cooper & Tom Dalt live, this session was a real buzz and the chat was on fire... 2 hours of aviation photography immersion!

Firstly, we looked at what editing is and why we do it. It was really interesting to see so many saying that they felt editing was time consuming, complicated and daunting... well fear not because that's exactly what we're here for :)

We then had a look at some before & after transformations from Rich's recent shoots, showing photographers the untapped hidden potential of their images!

Next, we explored the importance of shooting in RAW and the difference it makes compared to JPG. If you don't yet shoot in RAW, now is the time to make the switch! It is hands down the best way to get the most out of the gear you already own, allowing you to use editing to unlock a ton of hidden information stored on your memory cards.

Now... it's fair to say that the vast majority of aviation photographers struggle (or have struggled) with finding a solid & dependable editing workflow that simply works for any image. This is where our signature 5-Step Editing Workflow comes in. It is designed to give you a repeatable process, save you time and add purpose to your editing.

We used this 5-Step Editing Workflow in this Workshop and walked you through 2x start to finish edits, showing you just how straightforward editing can be when you have a process to follow. At COAP Online, we're all about simplifying the process, and giving you the shortcuts you need to save time and help you achieve your best ever results.

DAY TWO

POWER UP YOUR EDITING! Day 2 of the 3-Day Editing Workshop transformed ordinary aviation photos into eye-catching content!

We began with a quick recap of Day One's 5-Step Editing Workflow before announcing an exciting competition - one lucky participant will win a FREE place on our upcoming 90-Day Aviation Photography Editing Academy. We provided an in-depth look at everything included in the Academy package: over 70 Lightroom video lessons, 50 Photoshop tutorials, portfolio projects, writing workshops, and a host of valuable resources. The Academy is designed to take you through the basics of editing to creating professional-quality aviation content that stands out in today's competitive landscape.

The session featured a special guest appearance from Steven Wilson, a student from our previous Academy! Steven shared his impressive transformation, showcasing before-and-after examples that inspired everyone - there were so many jaws on the floor! His journey from basic photography to creating professional aviation content in just a few months demonstrated what's possible when you learn the right techniques.

Then we introduced our brand new Content Creator Framework - our practical system for Photoshop that simplifies the entire process:

VISION - Setting your goal and creative direction
FOUNDATION - Applying the tools and knowledge
IMPACT - Elements that transform a photo into standout content

We demonstrated this framework by transforming a Turkish Air Force F-4 Phantom image into a striking 50th Anniversary commemorative poster. The step-by-step process showed how to:

• Cut out aircraft with precision using selection tools
• Create dramatic backgrounds that complement your subject
• Add creative elements like motion effects and textures
• Incorporate typography and graphics that enhance the story
• Build a cohesive piece of aviation content that grabs attention

The before-and-after transformation showed how a good photo can become an exceptional piece of content that could be printed, shared, or even sold.

Photoshop might seem intimidating, but we've simplified it to the essential tools you need as an aviation photographer. Our approach focuses on giving you the shortcuts and techniques to achieve professional results without years of trial and error.

On Day Three, we'll work with YOUR images! Send us your RAW file with the subject "ACADEMY" to [email protected], tell us why you want to win a place in the Academy, and join us for Day 3 to see if you're our lucky winner!

At COAP Online, we're all about simplifying the process and giving you the shortcuts you need to help you achieve your best ever results.

Early-Bird Academy Enrolment NOW OPEN...

Early-bird enrolment for the 90-Day Editing Academy is now open! An exclusive offer for workshop attendees only!

Secure your place in the upcoming Academy with a special early-bird offer - just £47 deposit this weekend with an exclusive £50 discount on the remaining balance1

DAY THREE

It’s been a helluva ride! 

THREE DAYS of pure aviation photography editing, creativity, Q&As, Before & Afters, Workflows, tricks and insight… Wow. 

We began by announcing the lucky winner of a free place on our upcoming 90-Day Aviation Photography Editing Academy - congratulations to Laura!

We then provided an in-depth look at everything included in this comprehensive program: over 70 Lightroom video lessons, 50 Photoshop tutorials, portfolio projects, writing workshops, and a wealth of resources designed to transform your aviation photography.

Special guest and recent Academy graduate James Gresty joined us to share his incredible journey since completing the Academy. Not only has he dramatically improved his photography skills, but he's also been published in Vintage Aviation News! James explained how the Academy changed his entire approach - "The biggest thing the Academy taught me is to shoot with intention. You think about the edit before you even shoot."

The heart of Day Three showcased YOUR submitted images! We carefully selected photos from workshop participants and demonstrated the power of our 5-Step Editing Workflow on each one:

We transformed blown-out shots into dramatic vapor-filled masterpieces
Turned a vintage Soviet SU-22 into a moody cinematic scene
Created a striking low-key edit of an Antonov-12 that preserved its distinctive orange accents
Demonstrated AI removal tools to clean up distracting elements from a Harrier image

For each transformation, we walked through the process step-by-step, showing how setting a clear goal at the beginning guides the entire editing journey. We even revealed some little-known Lightroom features like lookup tables, film grain effects, and profile settings that can dramatically enhance your aviation images.

We wrapped up with a look at the Photoshop skills taught in our Academy, showcasing how to create commemorative posters, tell visual stories of aircraft history, and transform ordinary photographs into standout content that people would proudly display on their walls.

The 3-Day Workshop may have concluded, but your aviation photography journey is just beginning! Workshop attendees can secure their place in the upcoming Academy with a special early-bird offer - just £47 deposit this weekend with an exclusive £50 discount on the remaining balance.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the TON of value delivered in the 3-Day Editing Workshop series - but it doesn’t have to end there! 

// EARLY-BIRD ACADEMY ENROLMENT NOW THIS WEEKEND ONLY!

Early-Bird Academy Enrolment NOW OPEN...

Early-bird enrolment for the 90-Day Editing Academy is now open! An exclusive offer for workshop attendees only!

Secure your place in the upcoming Academy with a special early-bird offer - just £47 deposit this weekend with an exclusive £50 discount on the remaining balance1