CHICAGO IN B&W
AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
Black and white photography has captivated us since the first photograph was recorded in 1825 by Joseph Niepce on a metal plate. While most of us don’t use metal plates any longer, the enthusiasm for the black-and-white process has always endured.
Color in a photograph can be a very powerful visual element, but the color also makes it more difficult to notice other underlying elements such as tone, texture, shape, and form. In black and white, these visual elements become more powerful visual expressions. We will help you see compositionally with a monochromatic eye in this workshop and guide you through post-processing techniques in Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro. This will allow you to create mesmerizing black and white images of your own and the historic city of Chicago is the perfect backdrop to accomplish this.
We’ll spend time with the most iconic photographic gems the Windy City has to offer, including Millennium Park, the John Hancock building, the 1450ft Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the ever-present Chicago skyline from the Adler Planetarium — to name a few. Our field shoots are scheduled around the best times of day so you always have good light. We are available to work with you, answer your questions, and talk you through any challenging situations. In the classroom, we will help you understand the processing software that will take your black and white photographs to a whole new level that even Ansel Adams would be proud of.
Attendees will learn to analyze any scene for B&W possibilities, use the power of HDR processing to maximize B&W opportunities, and use Lightroom and Nik Silver Efex to support your B&W vision.
**We hope you’ll consider extending your workshop experience in Chicago by also joining DJP’s Macro in Chicago workshop to explore the Chicago Botanic Garden while improving your macro knowledge and compositional skills! Receive a $200 discount for participating in both! Details under Registration below.
Overview
August 29 - September 1, 2025
Our workshop begins with a welcome orientation on Friday, August 29 at 9:00 am and concludes after our group slideshow on Monday, September 1 at 6:00 pm.
Enjoy daily lectures, critiques and instructor-led field sessions in the heart of the Windy City. Learn the tools to capture and process visually stunning grayscale images of Chicago’s famous landmarks, including Calder’s Flamingo and the financial district, Buckingham Fountain and Millennium Park. We’ll take in the urban roots of this great city around the Loop and along the Chicago River Walk. From above the majestic rooftop views of Chicago from the John Hancock or Willis Tower are unique perspectives that make for a great urban landscape workshop!
Location Highlights: Chicago River Walk, Millennium Park, the John Hancock Center, Chicago Theater District, Buckingham Fountain, and the stunning Chicago skyline from the Adler Planetarium.
REGISTRATION
Chicago in B&W workshop only
Tuition: $2095
Deposit: $495 due with Registration
Balance: $1600 due May 31, 2025
Want to really elevate your skills? Register for both “Macro in Chicago” and “Chicago in B&W” workshops – and save $200!
Workshop combo (both Chicago in B&W and Macro in Chicago workshops): $3990 ($200 discount!)
Deposit: $895 due with Registration
Balance: $3095 due May 26, 2025
Workshop Details
LODGING
JW Marriott Chicago
151 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
Rates Room choices are based on a first-come, first-served basis. A room block is set up for participants from August 29 - September 1 (4 nights). The rate is $249 + tax.
A booking link to secure your room will be provided upon registration.
TRAVEL
Doug Johnson Photography is not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other emergencies or reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets, or hotel rooms in the event of a course cancellation. Please consider the purchase of travel insurance.
The nearest airports for this workshop: Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).
You are responsible for your own transportation during the workshop. Since parking at the hotel and shooting locations is very expensive, we’ll use local transportation companies (taxis, Uber or Lyft) or the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to get around.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Easy, up to 2 miles, paved sidewalks.
EQUIPMENT & ATTIRE
We want your experience on a Doug Johnson Photography workshop to be extraordinary and recognize that preparation is one important key to success. Should you have any questions about what you should bring with you to a workshop, please feel free to contact us.
For a list of recommended gear and attire, download our Gear & Packing List.
“Doug is a born teacher. He is enthusiastic and patient, and I came away with a much deeper knowledge of black and white photography. The sites we visited were interesting and fun to shoot. I’d be more than happy to participate in another of Doug’s workshops!”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please visit FAQs about Location Workshops.
You can review our Cancellation Policy here.
We are always happy to talk with you about our workshops and what makes a good match for your goals. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Doug at 303-829-2215 or contact us via our online form.
