PCS: Working Nondestructively in Photoshop with Chris Zaccone
Select a Date
This session with Adobe Certified Professional Chris Zaccone focuses on best practices for working safely in Photoshop while achieving your desired look. The goal is simple: give yourself the freedom to experiment without the fear of losing your work or being unable to go back.
We’ll cover core non-destructive tools like Adjustment Layers for tonal and color control, Layer Masks for precise editing without erasing image data, the History Brush for targeted corrections, and Smart Objects to protect your layers while applying filters and transformations.
This is a demo-driven session designed to help you build a flexible workflow that supports both creativity and control. Whether you’re editing photos or building layered compositions, you’ll leave with a more confident, efficient way of working.
Chris Zaccone
Chris Zaccone is an Adobe Certified Professional and Photoshop instructor. He taught for over a decade at Pratt Institute’s School of Design and has worked professionally as an illustrator and graphic designer.
Over the years, Chris has taught thousands of students across photography, design, fashion, and retail. His approach focuses on building strong, efficient workflows that allow for maximum creative range—without overcomplicating the process. Rather than specializing in one narrow area, he works across a broad set of Photoshop tools and techniques, helping users understand how the pieces fit together so they can create with confidence and flexibility.
More recently, Chris has been working with the latest AI tools in Photoshop, including Adobe Firefly—Adobe’s generative AI model—along with additional partner models now accessible within the platform. His focus is on helping users break through the barrier of prompting to achieve the results they’re actually looking for, while working within smart, safe, production-ready workflows.
Unique Photo Philly
28 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our state-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros. With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Lindsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places as the Lakota Wolf Preserve, Wolf Conservation Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rutgers Football, Longwood Gardens, Festival of Ballooning, and much more. Our technical classes include such topics as basic digital photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlights, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much, much more.
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, most classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo Superstore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004). We also hold classes at our Philadelphia, PA location (28 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
Will lunch or refreshments be included?
Lunch and refreshments are not provided for any classes under 6 hours unless noted.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register early for such classes.
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Unique University Class Cancellation Policy
- Classes costing less than $99 may be canceled up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. For classes costing $100 or more, advanced notice of seven days before the class is necessary for a full refund.
- Requests for cancellation made after these deadlines will be awarded store credit in the amount paid for registration towards a future Unique University seminar or workshop.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of the beginning of a class will not be honored and no refund or credit will be given.
- Cancellations of any class utilizing models will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the purchased price (up to $100).
- Cancellations of any class that includes an admission ticket (including, but not limited to: museums, gardens, shows, exhibits, and special events or locations) may be subject to forfeiture of the admission ticket fee.
** Attention American Express cardholders: If you cancel a registration for a class costing $100 or more, there will be a 3% cancellation fee deducted from your refund or store credit.
Select a Date
Get a FREE $10 Token Back
Good towards in-store purchases.
*NO REFUNDS or rescheduling for any Camera Show classes.
This session with Adobe Certified Professional Chris Zaccone focuses on best practices for working safely in Photoshop while achieving your desired look. The goal is simple: give yourself the freedom to experiment without the fear of losing your work or being unable to go back.
We’ll cover core non-destructive tools like Adjustment Layers for tonal and color control, Layer Masks for precise editing without erasing image data, the History Brush for targeted corrections, and Smart Objects to protect your layers while applying filters and transformations.
This is a demo-driven session designed to help you build a flexible workflow that supports both creativity and control. Whether you’re editing photos or building layered compositions, you’ll leave with a more confident, efficient way of working.
Chris Zaccone
Chris Zaccone is an Adobe Certified Professional and Photoshop instructor. He taught for over a decade at Pratt Institute’s School of Design and has worked professionally as an illustrator and graphic designer.
Over the years, Chris has taught thousands of students across photography, design, fashion, and retail. His approach focuses on building strong, efficient workflows that allow for maximum creative range—without overcomplicating the process. Rather than specializing in one narrow area, he works across a broad set of Photoshop tools and techniques, helping users understand how the pieces fit together so they can create with confidence and flexibility.
More recently, Chris has been working with the latest AI tools in Photoshop, including Adobe Firefly—Adobe’s generative AI model—along with additional partner models now accessible within the platform. His focus is on helping users break through the barrier of prompting to achieve the results they’re actually looking for, while working within smart, safe, production-ready workflows.
Unique Photo Philly
28 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our state-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros. With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Lindsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places as the Lakota Wolf Preserve, Wolf Conservation Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rutgers Football, Longwood Gardens, Festival of Ballooning, and much more. Our technical classes include such topics as basic digital photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlights, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much, much more.
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, most classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo Superstore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004). We also hold classes at our Philadelphia, PA location (28 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
Will lunch or refreshments be included?
Lunch and refreshments are not provided for any classes under 6 hours unless noted.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register early for such classes.
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Unique University Class Cancellation Policy
- Classes costing less than $99 may be canceled up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. For classes costing $100 or more, advanced notice of seven days before the class is necessary for a full refund.
- Requests for cancellation made after these deadlines will be awarded store credit in the amount paid for registration towards a future Unique University seminar or workshop.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of the beginning of a class will not be honored and no refund or credit will be given.
- Cancellations of any class utilizing models will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the purchased price (up to $100).
- Cancellations of any class that includes an admission ticket (including, but not limited to: museums, gardens, shows, exhibits, and special events or locations) may be subject to forfeiture of the admission ticket fee.
** Attention American Express cardholders: If you cancel a registration for a class costing $100 or more, there will be a 3% cancellation fee deducted from your refund or store credit.