You’re looking into the Editopia Course Empower your post production by Two Mann U. On paper, it’s described as a “PhD” level educational experience designed to deconstruct the entire Two Mann Studios post-production workflow. It aims to reveal every single step and technique for maximizing the potential of your photos, no matter your photography genre or current skill level. The main catch? If you use Capture One, this isn’t for you.
What you learn in Editopia
According to the creator, Editopia isn’t just a mini-class or a masterclass; it’s a thorough educational experience. From what’s published, you’re getting a deep get into how Two Mann Studios handles post-production, from start to finish. This includes professionally filmed, detailed editing demonstrations.
The course promises to deconstruct the “entire Two Mann post production spell,” which means you’ll see “every step of the workflow” and “every piece of the puzzle.” The creator emphasizes revealing “every tip n’ trick for pulling maximum potential out of photos.” This suggests a focus on the nitty-gritty details of image manipulation and refinement, rather than just broad strokes.
Beyond the core video content, you also get some important interactive and supplemental materials. There are Live Q&As with Lanny Mann himself, and crucially, recordings of these sessions are available if you can’t make them live. A physical “Editopia Mannual” serves as a guidebook. For more personalized feedback, the course includes coaching and critiques through “office hours.” You’ll also receive raw practice files, which is a big plus for hands-on learning. Plus, there are extra-bonus live demos in an exclusive Editopia group, also with recordings available.
There’s also a mention of a $600 Scholarship if you bundle Editopia with another course called Metanoia. That’s a specific offer, but it tells you this is likely a substantial investment on its own.
Lanny Mann’s background and what it means for your editing
The instructor behind Editopia is Lanny Mann from Two Mann U. His background is frankly pretty intense, and it’s a big part of why this course might be worth considering if you’re serious about post-production. The creator states that Lanny has over 18,000 hours of practice in post-production. That’s not just a lot of time; it implies a mastery of the craft through sheer repetition and dedication.
He’s also performed over 35,000 “artisanal edits.” “Artisanal” suggests a handcrafted, meticulous approach to each image, rather than just batch processing. This detail is important because it speaks to the level of precision and thought you can expect to learn from him. It’s not about speed; it’s about quality.
His studio, Two Mann Studios, has earned 473 international awards. What’s even more significant for this course is that “many [of these awards are] attributed to his editing.” This isn’t just a photographer teaching editing; it’s an award-winning editor teaching his award-winning process. This background strongly suggests that the techniques taught in Editopia are battle-tested and proven at the highest levels of the industry.
Who this course is for, and the skill level it assumes
This is where Editopia makes some pretty broad claims. The creator says it’s made for “photographers of any kind” and lists out almost every genre imaginable: wedding, landscape, portrait, travel, family, documentary, sports, wildlife, street, astro, boudoir, seniors, concert, equine, studio, pet, macro, and commercial photographers. That’s a huge range. It also says it’s for artists who like almost any style: dark & moody, light & airy, black & white, timeless & classic, bold & edgy, soft & subtle, and even hipster & boho.
The course is also explicitly for “all levels” of photographers. This is a bold statement, especially considering it’s described as a “PhD” level experience. If you’re an absolute beginner, it implies the course starts with foundational concepts before moving into advanced techniques. If you’re already experienced, it suggests there will still be plenty of new, complex material to challenge you. For an “all levels” course to also be “PhD” level, it means it probably covers a lot of ground, starting from fundamental principles and building up to highly nuanced, award-winning strategies.
So, if you shoot weddings on a Sony A7 IV and deliver in a bold and edgy style, or if you’re a landscape photographer using a Canon R5 aiming for a timeless and classic look, the creator says this course is still designed for you. The versatility described is a standout detail.
What you need to get started with this course
To follow along with Editopia, you’ll need access to specific software. The course is compatible with Lightroom, Photoshop, and ACR (Adobe Camera Raw). This means if you’re already entrenched in the Adobe ecosystem for your post-production, you’re good to go. The fact that it covers both Lightroom and Photoshop is a strength, as many photographers use a combination of both for different stages of their workflow.
Beyond the software, the creator doesn’t list any specific gear or experience requirements, other than the general “all levels” skill description. However, given that it provides raw practice files, you’ll obviously need a computer capable of running Lightroom and Photoshop efficiently. While it says “all levels,” having a basic understanding of photography principles and how to navigate these programs would likely make your learning experience smoother, even if the course theoretically starts from scratch.
What’s missing, thin, or unclear from the published curriculum
While Editopia aims to be thorough, there are a few things that aren’t explicitly covered or are left a bit vague in the published details. The most obvious limitation, and one that the creator openly states, is that it “does not teach Capture One.” If Capture One is your primary or preferred raw processing software, then this course isn’t going to show you how to use it. You’d need to be willing to switch to or learn Lightroom/Photoshop/ACR.
Beyond that, while it promises “every step of the workflow” and “every tip n’ trick,” the specific, detailed module or lesson breakdown isn’t provided. I can’t tell you exactly how many hours of video there are, or what specific topics are covered in each numbered section. For example, it doesn’t specify if it looks at advanced masking techniques unique to specific software versions, or if it covers color grading for different output mediums (print vs. web). It also doesn’t clarify whether the raw practice files are from specific camera brands or file types beyond “raw.”
The nature of the “coaching & critiques (office hours)” is also somewhat general. While personalized mentorship is a standout detail, the frequency, format, or group size for these sessions isn’t detailed, so it’s hard to gauge the level of individual attention you’d get. Are these weekly, monthly? One-on-one or group calls? That level of detail isn’t published.
Who should skip Editopia
You should definitely skip Editopia if your post-production workflow is built around Capture One and you have no intention of learning or switching to Lightroom, Photoshop, or ACR. That’s the biggest, clearest “skip it” point from the creator’s own facts.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a quick fix, a few presets, or a very basic introduction to editing without much depth, this might not be the right fit. The “PhD” level description suggests a significant time commitment and a serious approach to learning. If you just want a surface-level understanding or a few superficial tricks, this course sounds like it goes far beyond that, and you might find it overwhelming or more in-depth than you need.
If you’re already an advanced editor looking for very niche, specific software hacks for a program outside of the Adobe ecosystem, or if you only need a specific piece of a workflow rather than a full deconstruction, you might find parts of it redundant or not targeted enough. However, the promise of “every tip n’ trick” means even advanced users might find new insights into the Two Mann Studios workflow.
So, should you get it?
If you’re deeply committed to mastering post-production within Lightroom, Photoshop, and ACR, and you want to learn from an instructor with a truly extensive, award-winning background, Editopia looks like a compelling option. It’s for the photographer who wants a thorough, “PhD” level education, not just a quick tutorial. However, if you’re a dedicated Capture One user, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Questions people ask
What software is taught in Editopia?
Editopia teaches post-production techniques compatible with Lightroom, Photoshop, and ACR (Adobe Camera Raw).
Is Editopia suitable for beginners?
The creator states that Editopia is suitable for "all levels" of photographers, suggesting it accommodates both beginners and experienced individuals. It's described as a "PhD" level experience.
What kind of photography genres does Editopia cover?
Editopia covers post-production techniques applicable to a wide range of photography genres, including wedding, landscape, portrait, travel, family, documentary, sports, wildlife, street, and commercial photography, among many others.
Does Editopia teach Capture One?
No, Editopia does not teach Capture One. The course focuses exclusively on Lightroom, Photoshop, and ACR.
Prefer to buy directly from Two Mann U at full price? See the official page.
