Program presentation
The “Expert in Digital Visual Creation: Photography, 3D, AI, Video” program trains professionals capable of designing and producing high-quality images using the most advanced tools in digital creation.
Combining 3D, video, photography, and artificial intelligence (AI), this comprehensive program enables students to acquire technical, artistic, and strategic expertise aligned with industry expectations (visual communication, luxury, advertising, digital content). Students develop a personal visual language while mastering current professional workflows.
The objectives of the program are as follows:
- Develop advanced expertise in 3D/CGI, including modeling, lighting, rendering, and composing digital images for creative and commercial purposes.
- Refine high-end photo retouching, with a specialization in the luxury sector’s standards (jewelry, cosmetics, watchmaking, etc.).
- Integrate artificial intelligence into the creative process, mastering generative tools (MidJourney, DALL·E, Runway, etc.) to produce innovative images, videos, and narrative content.
- Develop a strong artistic vision, a critical approach to imagery, and the ability to manage a creative project from start to finish, in line with current digital visual issues.
- Understand the complete video production process, from pre-production to post-production, to create professional content tailored to various broadcast formats.
Target Audience
Professional photographers (advertising, event, portrait, corporate…).
Creatives, graphic designers, retouchers, videographers looking to broaden their skillset.
Entry Level
Proficiency in photography (shooting, retouching, workflow).
Good level of Photoshop required (minimum intermediate level).
No prior skills in video, 3D, or artificial intelligence are required — everything is introduced progressively.
Non-native speakers of French or English must provide certified language test results at B2 level in either French or English.
This language prerequisite must be submitted at the start of the program.
Next session: September 2026 – May 2027
Language of instruction: French, English (subject to a minimum number of enrolled students)
Tuition fees (French program):
Students from France/EU: €9,400
International students: €10,600
Tuition fees (English program):
Students from France/EU: €9,800
International students: €10,600
Diploma: Spéos Certificate
Program intensity: 3.5 to 5 days/week depending on the schedule
Course Descriptions: Expert in Digital Visual Creation
Semesters I & II: 6 to 9 hours/week
This course aims to teach participants all stages of the video production process. It covers the technical skills and know-how required of a videographer for commissioned work—from client briefing to final delivery. Theory and practice go hand in hand to enable the completion of a professional-quality video project.
Covered topics:
Pre-production / Production:
How to plan and prepare for a shoot, ensuring smooth project execution.
Includes:
– Writing a script/storyboard/shot list
– Location scouting and obtaining permissions
– Building a team
– Budgeting, quoting, and staying within the budget
– Planning the production
– Managing shooting locations
– Choosing equipment
– Casting (if necessary)
Shooting with video tools:
Covers the knowledge required to select proper tools, formats, and settings for professional video.
Students will learn to:
– Choose appropriate video formats/settings
– Use various types of cameras
– Work with accessories: lenses, stabilizers, audio gear, focus systems, recorders, lights, power, storage, and backups
Post-production Workflow:
Focus on:
– Building an editing and post-production setup (computer, storage, monitors, audio)
– Importing and managing footage
– Editing on DaVinci Resolve
– Sound editing/mixing
– Using music, sound, stock images
– Adding titles/subtitles
– Understanding and managing color spaces
– Color correction/grading/LUTs
– Exporting in proper formats (web, social media, broadcast)
Semesters I & II: 6 hours/week
This course introduces participants to using CGI/3D in both photography and digital image creation. Future “image makers” will build solid foundations in modeling, material creation/editing, lighting, rendering, composition, and integration.
Semester I:
Topics related to the fundamentals of digital image creation via computer tools.
Students will:
– Learn to create digital “hard surface” models
– Understand lighting and rendering (Redshift)
– Learn image-making and post-production techniques
– Explore various tools and their purposes
Participants will gain the ability to make relevant technical decisions for various outcomes, such as camera angle research, set creation, material addition.
Semester II:
Students deepen their skills:
– Advanced modeling, textures, lighting, scenes, effects
– Procedural material creation
– Fluid simulations
– Digital sculpting
– Visual programming
– Short animation creation
Semester I: 3 hours/week
For students already proficient in Lightroom and Photoshop, this course offers advanced retouching, tailored to the luxury sector’s standards (jewelry, watches, leather goods, cosmetics, etc.).
Over 7 weeks, participants will:
– Streamline their workflow
– Master advanced techniques (cutouts, retouching)
– Elevate their visuals to meet luxury industry expectations The course includes practical exercises and professional methods to sharpen precision, efficiency, and creativity. It also introduces AI tools integrated in Photoshop, including generative functions that broaden the creative horizon.
Semester I: 2 hours/week
Following the advanced Photoshop course, this intensive creative course explores AI tailored to future photographers and visual creators.
Using MidJourney and Discord, students learn to collaborate with AI to create impactful visuals.
Topics covered:
– Introduction to AI and machine learning
– Legal and ethical issues in AI-generated visual content
– Full use of MidJourney and Discord
– Advanced prompts: style, light, mood, references
– Creating complex images: hyper-realistic portraits, still lifes, commercial/artistic visuals
– Producing short videos and animated GIFs from generated images
Students learn to:
– Build strong visual storytelling
– Create recurring characters
– Develop a cohesive aesthetic
– Integrate AI into their photographic language By the end, they will have a creative/technical AI toolkit and a mini-portfolio of images, GIFs, and videos.
Semester II: 3 hours/week
This course provides professional, creative, and critical training in generative AI for photography, advertising images, and visual storytelling.
Students gain hands-on expertise in major platforms (Midjourney, Runway, DALL·E, Pika, Magnific, Pimento, Kling, Starlight), advanced prompt engineering, and workflow integration (Photoshop, Canva, After Effects).
Focus areas:
– Legal and ethical considerations
– Artistic direction skills
– Rigorous documentation for intellectual property claims
– Using AI as a creative partner By the end, students can produce professional-standard AI images, develop stylistic variations, create consistent series, and critically analyze their output—while mastering industry tools in luxury and visual communication.
Participants have reserved slots in school studios for working on professional projects:
Weekdays from 4–7 p.m.
Saturdays from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The end of the second semester is dedicated to the set-up of the students’ end-of-the-year exhibition on the school premises – an important event visited by established photographers, picture editors, news and advertising agencies.
The students also have the possibility to exhibit their work online in the web galleries.
Pedagogical approach
The teaching method focuses on real-world practice, essential for skill development.
Courses are taught in small groups for personalized guidance, allowing students to develop their style and artistic sensitivity.
Courses are delivered by renowned professionals and creatives, ensuring strong knowledge acquisition.
Spéos provides students with access to spacious facilities and high-end photography equipment outside of class hours.
Studios are well-equipped with Phase One backs, Foba columns, top-brand flashes, projectors, lights, and numerous accessories for image styling.
Computer labs include Apple systems, calibrated Eizo monitors, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Students can borrow equipment daily: flash kits, audio kits, video kits, and telephoto lenses — for outdoor and weekend use.
- Continuous assessment
- Knowledge tests at the beginning and end of each semester
- Graded semester exams
- Creation of a professional portfolio and end-of-year exhibition
Enrollment and Contact
Enrollment is open year-round based on availability.
Feel free to contact Spéos with any questions about the program.
You are also welcome to visit the school — just schedule an appointment!