Dallas PPA upcoming events

Photoshop Basics to Brilliance with Unmesh Dinda, PiXimperfect (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Dallas Photography Summit

presents

Photoshop Basics to Brilliance

featuring Unmesh Dinda, PiXimperfect

Take your Photoshop skills from foundational to professional in this immersive two-day workshop led by one of the most trusted educators in the creative world.

This hands-on experience is designed for photographers and visual creators who want to move beyond button pushing and truly understand how Photoshop works. You will learn not just how to achieve specific looks, but why the tools and techniques work, so you can adapt them to your own creative style and real-world workflow.

This isn't just another workshop you watch. Here, you do

Follow along step by step in a classroom setup.
Designed for beginners & intermediates.
Create real projects with a guided class.
Master the concepts, make Photoshop your own.

Whether you are new to Photoshop or self-taught and looking to fill in the gaps, this workshop will help you build confidence, consistency, and creative control in your post-processing.

Come ready to learn, ask questions, and leave with tools and techniques you can use immediately in your own work.

Unmesh Dinda is an internationally recognized Photoshop educator and the founder of PiXimperfect, one of the most respected Photoshop education platforms in the world.

With millions of subscribers and viewers across YouTube and social media, Unmesh is known for his clear teaching style, deep technical knowledge, and ability to make complex Photoshop concepts feel simple and approachable. His philosophy centers on understanding how Photoshop works at a fundamental level, empowering creatives to move beyond step-by-step tutorials and develop true creative problem-solving skills.

Unmesh’s work has inspired photographers, designers, and retouchers around the globe to improve their editing workflows, elevate the quality of their images, and gain confidence in post-production. His tutorials are widely regarded for blending technical precision with practical, real-world application, making them valuable for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.

Through PiXimperfect, Unmesh has built a global community of creatives who share a passion for learning, growth, and mastering the craft of visual storytelling. His mission is simple: to help artists not just use Photoshop but truly understand it.

Member price ~~$499~~ Spring Special $349

Non-member price ~~$499~~ Spring Special $449

REGISTER HERE

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WHEN

August 8th & 9th, 2026

WHERE

Grapevine Convention Center at

1209 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051

Refund Policy

The event fee is non-refundable after July 8th, 2026.

A refund will be issued in the manner in which the

original payment was made.

The event is brought to you by the Dallas Professional Photographers Association and is open to both members and non-members.

This is a PPA Continuing Education program

(New Member Orientation (ZOOM) (August 12, 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Member Orientation Program

Get the best value out of Dallas PPA

Some of the topics we will cover:

Dallas PPA's monthly events
Educational resources
Degrees and certifications paths
Navigating the website
Image competition
PPA Community Network structure - PPA, TPPA, DPPA, etc
Making your voice heard
And any questions you might have.

*Even though this program is scheduled to benefit relatively new members,

all members are welcome to attend.

A Zoom meeting link will be emailed after registration.

Register HERE

M2M Program: Making Waves: An Introduction to Underwater Photography with Beth Graeme (August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Most photographers love the look of underwater photos… and then immediately convince themselves it’s too technical, too risky, or too expensive. This class is designed to remove that fear. I’ll walk you through the fundamentals of underwater photography in a controlled, hands-on environment with real models and backdrops. You’ll learn how light, movement, and direction work underwater, how to protect your gear, and how to create images that look intentional instead of accidental. No pressure, no panic, no pretending you already know it all. You’ll leave with real understanding, real images, and the confidence to actually try it.

Beth Graeme is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.), and IPC Silver Award winner with over thirteen years of professional experience. She has taught real estate photography, the business of in-person sales, and, over the past five years, has expanded her own work to include seasonal underwater portrait sessions in controlled pool environments. This class is built from hands-on, real-world experience, focusing on practical techniques and safety. Beth’s teaching approach emphasizes strong fundamentals, clear direction, and creating intentional images in unfamiliar environments.

*** This event is for Dallas PPA members ONLY ***

Registration closes on August 14th

REGISTER NOW

Monthly Meeting: The Art of Black & White Photography with David Downs (September 08, 2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

September Meeting

The Art of Black & White Photography with David Downs

One of the most common questions photographers ask is, “How do you learn to see in black and white?” In this one-hour visual presentation, David Downs will explore how photographers can pre-visualize a scene in monochrome before pressing the shutter, rather than relying on an accidental conversion later. Through a wide range of examples, he will show how light, shape, texture, contrast, gesture, and tonal relationships determine whether an image has strong black-and-white potential. The program will also examine why some photographs succeed in monochrome while others lose their impact when color is removed, as well as common problems such as weak separation, flat lighting, distracting backgrounds, and conversions without clear intent. Participants will leave with practical ways to evaluate scenes, recognize stronger subjects, find inspiration, and develop the habit of seeing the world in tones rather than colors.

1. How to pre-visualize a scene in black and white before taking the photograph

2. How to recognize subjects with strong monochrome potential

3. How light, shape, texture, contrast, and tonal separation affect a black-and-white image

4. Why intentional black-and-white captures are typically stronger than afterthought conversions

5. How to study, practice, and find inspiration to develop stronger black-and-white vision

David Downs is a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, and Certified Professional Photographer with over 14 years of professional experience. As the owner of David Downs Photography and the co-owner of Benton Downs Photography, he creates award-winning portraits, commercial imagery, and fine art, while leading national and international travel photography workshops with over 300 alumni. An experienced speaker at state and local guild conferences, David presents on topics ranging from crafting competitive, merit-worthy images and selling fine art to finding the “artist within,” marketing your work, breaking into galleries, publishing photography books, and mastering travel photography. His engaging, practical style inspires photographers to elevate both their craft and their creative voice.

Pre-Meeting Event: TBD