Recommended books about photoshop

Written in concert with Adobe's development of the Photoshop Lightroom 2 Beta, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers - by #1 bestselling computer and technology author, Scott Kelby - is the most complete and concise Lightroom "how-to" book for digital photographers of all skill levels.

In The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers, Scott walks readers through the basics of Lightroom use, leading them to a brilliantly devised and super efficient digital photography workflow that dramatically improves productivity and allows photographers to spend less time processing photos and more time shooting them.

Throughout the book Scott shares his personal camera and Lightroom settings, as well as the studio-tested techniques he's developed for his own photography workflow. The book is written in his trademark step-by-step, plain English style, and because he knows what really works and what doesn't, he isn't shy to tell you flat out which tools to use, which to avoid, and why. This allows digital photographers of any skill level to jump right in using Lightroom like a pro from the very start, sidestepping a lot of the frustrations that typically haunt those unfamiliar with new applicationscespecially those as powerful as Lightroom.

What really sets The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers apart from other Lightroom books on the market are the last two bonus chapters where Scott answers the questions, "In exactly what order am I supposed to do things in Lightoom," and "Where does Photoshop fit in to the mix?" Both chapters start with an on-location photo shoot, including full details on the equipment, camera settings, and lighting techniques. Readers then witness as he takes the photos from each shoot through the entire workflow process, to the final output of the 16"x20" prints. And, because he incorporates Photoshop seamlessly right into this workflow, you'll learn some of the latest Photoshop techniques for portrait and landscape photography as well.

If you're one of those people who learns best by actually doing the projects yourself; who learns best without all the complicated technical explanations and confusing jargon, and if you really want to start using Lightroom today to unlock the productivity secrets of "The new digital photography workflow,"---there is no faster, more "straight-to-the-point" or more fun way to learn than this groundbreaking new book, and you are absolutely going to love it!|

I really like this guide, there are so many little details that are unfolded in this book. I like Scott's goofy humor it's right up my alley.

The layout is nice if you follow his instructions to start at the beginning and read it through, if you skip around you may lose some details.
Yes, you can use it as a reference but Scott has a direction he wants you to use.

I would highly recommend this if your new to Lightroom 2, it will save you time and help you gain some great understanding.

Scott made e-mailing from Lr so easy with my Mac, the masking/sharpening technique was an excellent, I use it frequently with portrait work. Theses are just a couple of great things in this guide.

You can't go wrong with this guide, I highly recommend it to new, intermediate and experienced users.

Scott Kelby has done it again.
In The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers, Scott Kelby uses photos from some of his professional photoshoots as examples to take the reader step by step through organizing, developing, and printing your digital photographs. Along the way he points out all of the hidden secrets and nuances that make Lightroom 2 such a powerful package. Things most of us could never discover on our own were we to purchase and use Lightroom 2 without Scott's help.
Because, among other things, Lightroom 2 is a workflow program Scott recommends readers do not "jump around" in the book, but rather, start at the beginning and work right through chapter by chapter. Since it is a 419 page tutorial this seems a little daunting, but believe me, it is well worth the effort.
If you are a digital photographer, whether professional or amateur, and want to use Lightroom 2; do yourself a favor and purchase Scott Kelby's excellent book.
You won't be disappointed.

Scott Kelby has again written a book that makes getting started using Lightroom 2 easy.

I had never used Lightroom before in my life.. I wasn't even sure what all it COULD do. I just knew that a lot of people recommended it so I thought I'd give it a try. I installed the software and then stared at it blankly. I had no clue where to begin. I clicked a few buttons but got really lost really fast. I began to wonder if I'd wasted my money. But luckily I'd also picked up Scott Kelby's book. :)

First of all i LOVE Scott's humor. I love "mental breaks" and always get a chuckle out of his chapter introductions. I read the intro to the book which recommends downloading a video, and his sample files so you can follow along. I think some of the chapter 4 pictures may be mis-filed under chapter 5 though so if you can't find a picture, check another chapter file.

So I stayed up past 1am the first night going through the first 5 chapters. I was hooked and amazed! His book was easy to follow and really got me excited about what this program can do. The first 3 chapters or so are all about organization. A part of me wanted to skip this part, but i didn't.. it's worth a read. It's amazing what they've built into this.. much different than the organizer used in Photoshop Elements. It has ways to compare photos side by side, or show a before and after edits... very cool stuff! Finally I got to the first chapter on developing photos. Good stuff.

I'm only half way through the book, but at least I'm up and running. I know enough to be dangerous. :) Enough to be excited and in love with Lightroom! I love that he even showed you the settings to get that trendy gritty look in your photographs!

I haven't looked at any other Lightroom books but if you're new to Lightroom I can attest that this book is fantastic. it'll teach you step by step the proper workflow to maximize your use of Lightroom! So hurry up and hit that Buy button! :)

Scott Kelby's books teach me in such a way that I end up being much more adept at actually using the software. I'm not a professional, and his step by step methods show me what to do and how to do it as only a professional can.
Makes me a better photographer, and much better at using both Lightroom and Photoshop.
Buy, read and enjoy.

Photoshop Elements 7 includes lots of new tools for sprucing up your photos, like the Scene Cleaner that lets you get rid of unwanted elements and the Smart Brush that makes touch-ups a breeze. But the one thing you won't find in Elements is reader-friendly guidance on how to get the most out of this powerful program. Enter Photoshop Elements 7: The Missing Manual, ready to explain not only how the tools and commands work, but when to use them. With this bestselling book (now in its 5th edition), you'll learn everything from the basics of loading photos into Elements to the new online photo-sharing and storage service that Adobe's offering (for free!) at Photoshop.com. There's so much to Elements 7 that knowing what to do -- and when to do it -- is tricky. That's why this book carefully explains all the tools and options by putting each one into a clear, easy-to-understand context. Learn to import, organize, and fix photos quickly and easily Repair and restore old and damaged photos, and retouch any image Jazz up your pictures with dozens of filters, frames, and special effects Learn which tools the pros use -- you'll finally understand how layers work! Create collages and photo layout pages for scrapbooks and other projects Fix your photos online and synch the changes to your own photo library

As always, author Barbara Brundage lets you know which features work well, which don't, and why -- all with a bit of wit and good humor. Dive into Adobe's outstanding photo editor and find out why this Missing Manual is the bestselling book on the topic.

Don't you think Adobe should provide you with a no additional charge manual for their new product Photoshop Elements 7?

Before you upgrade to Photoshop Elements 7, may I suggest you read the reviews found about the product.

The "Missing Manual" series manuals are a good supplement for what the software makers should provide in the first place. While it may be understandable that the printing of manuals costs a lot, good companies provide manuals online that you can download and print yourself. Adobe is seeking to be or at least become a loser in customer service, now or in the near future.

If you do purchase PE7, then by all means purchase this Missing Manual or another highly rated manual to help you, because you will need it.

So far, this manual has been helpful, perhaps a bit wordy (needed for some), and way more than what you get from Adobe.

This thorough, self-paced guide to Adobe Photoshop CS3--written by the experts at Adobe Systems' is ideal for beginning users who want to learn key Photoshop concepts and techniques, while readers who already have some experience with Photoshop can use this book to learn Photoshop CS3's more advanced features and newest tools. Using clear, step-by-step, project-based lessons, each chapter walks readers through the creation of a specific project, with each chapter building on the reader's growing knowledge of the program, while review questions at the end of each chapter reinforce the skills learned in each lesson. Photoshop CS3, long the industry standard for digital imaging software, offers plenty of new features and enhancements for creative professionals and digital photographers alike. Users can enjoy unrivaled editing with non-destructive Smart Filters, improved curves, and adjustable cloning and healing with Preview Overlay. Increase productivity with Photoshop CS3's streamlined interface and new Photoshop Lightroom " integration. Anyone who wants to create a composite will benefit from the revamped Photomerge¬ tool, which lets you apply automatic layer alignment and blending to your images, while the new Quick Selection tool lets you select pixels not just by color, but by texture and shape as well. And digital photographers will be pleased to know that they can now process multiple Camera Raw images in a fraction of the time it used to take.


Educational instructor notes|created to help teachers plan, organize, and time their lessons|are available for this book (and for other Classroom in a Book titles) at www.peachpit.com/instructorresources.

This is well written. It was delivered quickly and in excellent condition and was the textbook required for class. Thank you.

The book is easy to follow and tells you exactly what to do during the exercises to reach the intended outcome of the photos you are working with. It teaches you one thing then another, building as you go on with what you have done in previous chapters. It also comes with the CD-Rom of the contents you need for use with the book and exercises.

This is a wonderful book and I think it will be very helpful in the classroom.

As a novice with Photoshop, other than Elements, I was looking for something that a beginner could use. This book was just the thing. Broken up into 1-2 hour lessons, it takes the user step by step through each lesson. The included CD with working files and some videos allows the user to see a final product before starting on each lesson.

The only down side to the book, and for some it will be a major downside, is that many of the reasons behind techniques are not well explained.

I had been looking for something that taught the basics and purchased the dummies book a week or so prior. I like doing tutorials online but they always skip steps. This book has been a lifesaver because it gives you the tools and practical applications. This is without a doubt, for this person anyway, the best book out there to actually learn how to use PS. I wish I had seen it prior to purchasing Dummies, I haven't even cracked that book since I go this one. I love the lessons and step-by-step instructions!

Scott Kelby was honored with Professional Photographer magazinefs highly coveted 2008 Hot One Award for The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers. Herefs what Jeff Kent, the Hot One Editor at Professional Photographer, has to say about the book: gIn a how-to published by Peachpit Press, Scott Kelby, best-selling author on Adobe Photoshop, delves into CS3 to uncover the most important and useful techniques for digital photographers. Our judges liked Kelbyfs direct approach with step-by-step instructions. In this new edition, Kelby shares even more secrets from the top pros.h

Shutterbug magazine chose The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers as a Top Digital Book of 2007.| Herefs what Joe Farace of Shutterbug has to say about the book: gScott Kelbyfs name on a Photoshop book is like the Dodge brand on the front of a pickup truck. You know itfs built RAM|or pixel|tough. Combining his famous twisted wit with unwaveringly straight tutorials, Kelby takes you through a detailed tour of Photoshop CS3 by showing how to use the new features. No fluff; just page after page of well-illustrated tutorials showing photographers how to get the most out of the new features, commands, and effects found in the latest version of Adobefs flagship. It will get you up to speed on CS3fs new features faster than you can all by yourself.h

Scott Kelby, the #1 best-selling Photoshop author in the world today, once again takes this book to a whole new level as he uncovers the latest, most important, and most exciting new Adobe Photoshop CS3 techniques for digital photographers. This major update to his award-winning, record-breaking book does something for digital photographers thatfs never been done before|it cuts through the bull and shows you exactly ghow to do it.h Itfs not a bunch of theory; it doesnft challenge you to come up with your own settings or figure it out on your own. Instead, Scott shows you step-by-step the exact techniques used by todayfs cutting-edge digital photographers, and best of all, he shows you flat-out exactly which settings to use, when to use them, and why.

Thatfs why the previous editions of this book are widely used as the official course study guide in photography courses at college and universities around the world, and this new edition for Photoshop CS3 exposes even more of the top prosf most closely-guarded secrets.

Learn How The Pros Do It
Each year Scott trains thousands of professional photographers on how to use Photoshop, and almost without exception they have the same questions, the same problems, and the same challenges|and thatfs exactly what he covers in this book. Youfll learn:

| The sharpening techniques the pros really use.
| The prosf tricks for fixing the most common digital photo problems fast!
| How to get great looking prints (that actually match your screen!)
| A whole chapter on the latest, most requested Photoshop special effects!
| How to color correct any photo without breaking a sweat.
| How to process Raw images, plus how to take advantage of all the new Camera Raw features in CS3!
| The portrait retouching secrets only the pros know about!
| How to add real automation to your work.
| How to show your work like a pro!

Plus a host of shortcuts, workarounds, and slick ginsiderh tricks to send your productivity through the roof! If youfre a digital photographer, and youfre ready to learn the gtricks of the tradeh|the same ones that todayfs leading pros use to correct, edit, sharpen, retouch, and present their work|then youfre holding the book that will do just that.

Every time a new edition of Photoshop comes out, I buy several of the how-to books. Each one contains different useful tips and tricks. Scott Kelby's is always the best, and this is no exception.

For example, have you ever wondered what LAB color is and why you should care? There's a step-by-step illustrated tutorial on how to give your color extra zip using this color mode.

In fact, there are illustrated tutorials on all of the major features of Photoshop. They include screenshots, which many other guides neglect.

Learn how to use layers to simulate filters, how to use shapes to create vector masks, how to create stunning special effects through collaging, retouching, and combining color touches with B&W.

Chances are, if you've seen a stunning digital creation and have wondered how it was done, you will find out here.

The CS4 book should be out soon. Can hardly wait!

From my series of many Photoshop books this is the least helpful. As stated by other readers the author's attempts at lightening the subject matter with humor quickly become annoying. The structure is overly verbose (do I want 2 full pages wasted on a chapter heading and the author reminiscing on song and movie titles?). All procedures are divided in "steps", which are titled "step 1", "step 2" etc. Hence you will not know what a particular step is about unless you read the entire section. For even slightly advanced users this becomes frustratingly annoying when trying to locate the sprinkles of wisdom.

I got CS3 a month ago and have been staring at it wondering why i even bothered to get it. I have been clueless as to how to use this thing. I bought a "CS3 for dummies" but it didn't really help me with my photography. It gave me some basics and didn't walk me through anything. Then it dawned on me how much I've loved Scott's other books. They are my very favorite photography books ever. They give perfect advice to help you through everything. So off to purchase "anything" by him for CS3. I got this book and WOW! Lights started turning on! Step by step in Kelby fashion he leads you through anything you might have a question about. I couldn't be happier. Makes me want to buy everyone of his books in case i run into something else i need help on. Wonder if he does parenting books....LOL. So thanks Scott Kelby for writing this more than amazing book.

A comprehensive book that will be useful for some time to come. I have barely touched on some of the aspects, but they have been very useful. Another humorous slant on things by Scott Kelby! Always a pleasure to read.

Yes, a very helpful book. Not really 4 stars though, however, compared to the author's competition this book almost rocks. First, there is quite a bit of very useful information within the pages. Then, it is written well, with step by step direction which I found easy to follow. Most topics of interest to me were covered, but it was a little difficult to cope with the basic instruction, only to learn later in the book that there was a much better way to accomplish the same thing. You can't expect one volume to provide every bit of what everyone needs and I didn't. Although, I was surprised at the obvious repetition in one or two chapters, and thought perhaps the editing might have been better. Mr. Kelby's style is unique, but his humor which I found tolerable doesn't, at all, detract from the "very helpful" content. Truly, close to 4 stars, and bravo to Mr. Kelby.

Best-selling author Scott Kelby pairs up with Matt Kloskowski to deliver the definitive book on using Photoshop Elements 6 to create the best possible images. With this newest release of Photoshop Elements, Scott and Matt show readers how to work with their images like a pro, from importing to organization to correction to output. Readers will learn all they need to know about the digital photography workflow, as well as the latest secrets of the pros to help them create the best special effects, apply the most useful sharpening techniques, and avoid many of the hassles and problems that are encountered in digital photography (such as digital noise and color halos).

I own an Imac. I've found this book, especially instructions related to printing, close to useless. Why is this so? Because the book is essentially designed for PC users, and details that a Mac user would need are offered as an afterthought. Which is to say they're cursory, poorly organized and often unclear. Photoshop Elements is complicated enough to learn without its capabilities being further muddied by someone who cannot think clearly or is basically uninterested in Macs. Many people, myself included, love using a Mac because we prefer not to spend hours tinkering with a computer (though I did that for years with a PC). This manual defeats the ultimate intent of owning a Mac. Someone needs to write a Photoshop Elements manual exclusively for Mac users. I regret having bought this one.

I bought 2 other books about learning PSE6 and I wish I had bought this one first and I wouldn't have needed the other books.

Kelby always produces a thorough and entertaining look at Photoshop Elements. This is the 3rd of his books I have tried. Each one has had wonderful shortcuts and settings information that make using the Adobe program much easier. You don't have to work through the whole book to learn just what you need to fix a problem either!

this book wasn't helpful for me, i returned it the first day.
it's a good book for getting your photo chops together.
for learning photoshop element moves, i wouldn't recommend this one unless you already have an understanding of photoshop.

This is an excellent book with lots of color photos to guide you through the tasks. Instructions are done in steps which makes it easy to follow.

Long established as a must-have guide for Photoshop users upgrading to the newest version, Up to Speed goes right to the heart of Photoshop CS4 what has changed, what is new, and how you can get the most out of the features as quickly as possible. Rather than sift through hundreds of pages detailing every last Photoshop feature and function (both old and new), you can go directly to the new features that interest you the most and get the explanations you desire in the classic Ben Willmore style-- intuitive, crystal clear, and in-depth. By focusing on a single topic--what's new in this version--the award-winning author provides precisely what experienced Photoshop users have been clamoring for, in exactly the depth they demand. After reading this book even if you've been using CS4 for awhile don't be surprised to hear yourself say, I didn't know CS4 did that! In addition to learning the new features in no time flat, a welcome side effect of learning from Ben is that you can expect to become a better, faster and more efficient Photoshop user, and few things are more fun than becoming better at Photoshop!

Every 18 months Adobe issues a new version of Photoshop. Every 18 months Ben Willmore produces a new version of "Up to Speed", describing the new features of the newest version of Photoshop. Every 18 months I write a review saying that, for experienced Photoshop users, upgrading from the prior version to the newest version, this book is the quickest way to learn the new features. It's that time again.

As usual Willmore describes all the new features in clear precise language. If the function of the feature is obvious, he tells you how to set it up. If its application is not apparent, he explains the feature in enough detail to make it apparent. If it's really complex, he delves into the complexity. It's all there and there is not a superfluous word.

Typical was his instruction concerning Camera Raw 5.0. The new plug-in includes the Adjustment Brush, a tool that was brought over from Lightroom 2 that allows for local adjustments in Camera Raw. In 5 pages he provides the most clear and concise explanation of this tool that I've read anywhere. In fact I'd recommend to Lightroom users who may be a bit confused by the Adjustment Brush that they read this explanation. (Unfortunately, Willmore can't explain why the Adjustment Brush works so much better in Camera Raw then Lightroom, but then, neither can Adobe's engineers.)

I do have a single complaint. Willmore notes that some of the new features of the tools, like Bird's Eye View, may not work without the proper video card. What he didn't say was to go to the Adobe web page, where there's a list of the cards that work, and advice that you may need to download new drivers from the video card's manufacturer, and even links. I installed the new drivers and now all the features are available.

Why waste time reading a Photoshop CS4 book that tells you about features that are carried over from CS3? Spend an evening with this short book and you will be "Up to Speed."

When Photoshop guru Matt Kloskowski was asked why he wrote this book, he replied, gItfs simple: I wanted to write the Photoshop book that I wished was around when I was learning Photoshoph. Youfve always known that layers were the key to understanding Photoshop, and now you have a resource to show you exactly how. With Mattfs clear, easy-to-follow, and concise writing style youfll learn about:

• Working with and managing multiple layers
• Building multiple layered images
  
• Blending layers together
• Exactly which of the 25+ Blend Modes you need to worry about (therefs just a few)
• Layer Masking and just how easy it is.
• Using layers to enhance and retouch your photos
• All of the tips and tricks that make using layers a breeze.

If you want to finally understand layers in Photoshop, this book is the one youfve been waiting for.

Just the product I was searching for.
Matt Kloskowski made this book very easy to understand and the examples are very well explain.

This book is for anyone that wants to learn about Photoshop layers!!

I will keep my finger cross that Mr Kloskowski find the time and write another book in the subject. I WANT TO BUY THE FIRST ONE!


Luis Morales

I bought this book based on the excellent reviews it had in Amazon.com, but it doesn't worth.

Please, do not misunderstand me - it is an interesting (very) introductory book but anyone with basic PS layer understanding will be extremely bored and with a great deception.

IMO it is wiser to spend your time and money in another textbook.

I'm now a slow learner and I've read a lot about layers. I wish that I'd picked up this book at the start! Projects are described in a sequence where each step has two levels - the heading of each stage is actually an instruction which you can follow stage by stage without further explanation and this you might do when using the book as a reference. Within each stage is more explanation and added depth. The same format is used in Scott Kelby's Channels book. The narrative is a bit 'chirpy' like Scott's books and some might find this distracting - I don't. If you want unfunny and useless padding try the average 'For Dummies' book. Millions of trees uselessly died to make them so thick!
I would suggest that the book is especially useful to photographers who need to consolidate their basic or intermediate Photoshop skills.

This is truly an outstanding text. I have completed every exercise and have transferred this knowledge to my own photos to produce fantastic results.Easy to follow and well presented. One of the best texts printed regarding the use layers.
Congratulations Matt!

This book is best written for those that are new to photoshop and don't quite understand the amazing power of layers. But, there are many tips and techniques for the more advanced in later chapters. I would mostly recommend it for someone who is wanting to learn the power of layers.

Master the fundamentals of Photoshop CS4 and then some with One-on-One, Deke McClelland's unique and effective learning system. Adobe Photoshop CS4 One-on-One includes step-by-step tutorials, more than five hours of DVD-video demonstrations, and hands-on projects to help you improve your knowledge and hone your skills. Once you read about a particular technique, you can see how it's done first-hand in the video. The combination is uniquely effective.

Whether you're new to Photoshop or a creative professional interested in the groundbreaking features of CS4, Deke's conversational style and carefully structured lessons guide you easily through the program's fundamental and advanced concepts and techniques. More than 850 full-color photos, diagrams, and screen shots illustrate every key step. With this book, you will:

• Learn at your own speed with 12 self-paced tutorials
• Master Photoshop's workflow and file handling features
• Try out techniques and best practices with engaging real-world projects
• Discover how Bridge and Camera Raw can help you optimize digital photos
• Create beautiful multilayered documents, including posters and flyers
• Test your knowledge with multiple-choice quizzes in each chapter

And more. Written and produced by a Photoshop expert with well over 20 years of experience, Adobe Photoshop CS4 One-on-One simulates a classroom environment that provides one-on-one attention as you proceed from lesson to lesson. You'll learn to use Photoshop faster, more creatively, and more efficiently than you thought possible.

How can you master the fundamentals of Photoshop CS4, with all of its incredible features? Deke McClelland's proven One-on-One learning system offers step-by-step tutorials, five hours of DVD-video demonstrations, and hands-on projects to improve your knowledge and hone your skills. Read about features such as Photoshop's new Adjustments panels in the book, and see how they're used first-hand in the video.

Author Deke McClelland's Photoshop CS4 One-on-One Top Ten New Features Roundup

10) Spring-loaded tools. Temporarily select a tool by pressing and holding its shortcut key. For example, when retouching an image with the healing brush: Press and hold Y to temporarily get the history brush, erase part of your modification, and then release Y to return to the healing brush.

9) The Adjustments palette. Nondestructive adjustment layers (which are independent layers of editable color adjustment) are now handled in a palette. Some folks will love the convenience, others will lament the many changes that were required to accommodate this feature. Mostly, though, the palette aggregates stuff thatfs been there for ages. One new item, Vibrance, enhances color intensity without exaggerating noise.

8) The Masks palette. CS4fs other new palette is largely another aggregator, providing convenient access to old features. Three new items: The wonderful Color Range command can now directly generate masks. Color Range can see base colors based on proximity. And you can blur edges parametrically (meaning non-permanently, by the numbers).

7) The enhanced Bridge 3.0. The Bridge is CS4fs asset manager, permitting you to preview and organize your images. Auto-updating workspaces, a review mode complete with image carousel, full-screen preview, folder-independent image collections, and search-based smart collections are just a few improvements. Oh, and you can assemble multipage PDF contact sheets from the Output panel.

6) Improved toning tools. Paint with the dodge tool to lighten an image; paint with the burn tool to darken. Only thing, the tools used to suck. Now theyfre so good, I actually use them on a regular basis. Theyfre still destructive (meaning they permanently change pixels), but in a good way!

5) Camera Raw 5. Essentially a logically organized and altogether independent color adjustment application, Camera Raw continues to be that top-secret tool that makes every version of Photoshop worth buying. This time, it offers the equivalent of nondestructive and highly customizable dodge and burn. Which you can apply as brushstrokes or gradients. Plus you can add vignettes inside crop boundaries. Itfs like a free copy of Lightroom bundled inside every version of Photoshop. Which given that Lightroom costs more than a Photoshop upgrade, and this is just feature 5 of 10, is fairly significant.

4) Target adjustment tool. Associated with three color adjustments|Hue/Saturation, Black & White, and Curves|the target adjustment tool lets you selectively modify colors and luminance levels by dragging in an image. For example, drag on a modelfs lips to boost their saturation. No need to isolate a hue range. Just drag. Honestly, if you arenft loving this tool within a week, check to make sure you have a pulse.

3) The tabbed-window interface. This feature has already proved controversial, with a few noisy Macintosh users in particular voicing disapproval. But speaking as a cross-platform guy with a decidedly Mac bias, itfs a net-sum gain. You now have the option of docking every image in a tabbed window. Click a tab to switch documents. Drag a tab to reassign priority. Plus, you can drag-and-drop a layer onto a tab to move that layer from one image to another. The tabbed window interface is a masterpiece of design and a thing of beauty.

2) Content-aware scaling. Part of Adobefs advance compositing suite, the Content Aware Scale command lets you stretch or squish low-contrast gbackgroundh elements independently of high-contrast gforegroundh ones. Which means you can bring people together, turn horizontal images into vertical ones, and otherwise transform photographs intelligently. My guess: five years from now wefll all be mocking this feature for what it got wrong. (The degree to which it can mess up certain images is fantastic!) But in the moment, youfre going to be singing its praises. This is Photoshopfs first truly magical feature since the magic wand. And that was 18 years ago, babies. (Okay, the healing brush was also magical. And that was, what, seven years ago? So wefre talking three magical features in two decades. Got to admit, magic is rare.)

1) OpenGL navigation. Forget all that other stuff. Seriously, content-aware scaling? As if. So far as Ifm concerned, Photoshop CS4 offers one and only one new feature: OpenGL navigation. Assuming you have a video card that supports OpenGL (most do), then herefs what you get: Slow continuous zooms. Rotate the view. Get the hand tool, toss the image, and watch it sail across the screen. Hold down H and click and hold for birdfs eye. And by God if every zoom level isnft a thing of bicubically rendered beauty. (No idea what Ifm talking about? Trust me, huge.) OpenGL navigation is so good it makes me hate CS3. Some nights, OpenGL navigation and I open a bottle of wine and just talk about how lucky we are just to have met each other. Itfs that good.

This latest version of Photoshop has a few new tricks up its sleeve and Adobe Photoshop CS4 For Dummies will teach you how to use them. From the basics like getting your images into and out of Photoshop to enhancing, cropping, and color correction, itfs all here!

Youfll get all of the basics of digital images and master the importing and exporting of images. Youfll find out how to create easy enhancements like adding shadows and highlights and making color natural, in addition to learning how to use the Adobe camera raw plug-in. Before you know it, youfll be making beautiful garth with Photoshop by combining images, precision edges, dressing up images, painting in Photoshop, and using filters. You can even streamline your work in Photoshop using advanced techniques. Find out how to:

• Import images and use all the tools and processes
• Reduce digital noise, make colors look natural, add highlights and shadows
• Optimize images for print or the Web
• Edit images
• Explore the Painting function and master the daunting Brushes panel
• Add layer styles
• Create on-screen presentations, contact prints, and more

Complete with lists of ten reasons to love your Wacom tablet, ten reasons to own a digital camera, and ten favorite tips and tricks, Adobe CS4For Dummies is your one-stop guide to setting up, working with, and making the most of Photoshop CS4 for all your digital photography needs.

First, a couple of notes on this title:
--This is a book in the incredible "for Dummies" series and, as such, is a reference book. Please don't expect a lesson-based/for-the-first-time-user or a "cookbook" tips & tricks book. That's not what the "for Dummies" series is all about.
--Use the Index and Table of Contents. Add PostIt¬ notes and bend corners of pages (unless, of course, you borrowed the book from the library). There are some sections of the book to which you will refer regularly, those subjects that pertain to the specific sort of work you do with Photoshop. You could read the book cover to cover (which ensures you don't miss a single joke or cartoon), but that's not what we had in mind when we developed this title. Instead, we recommend that you consider this book to be more like a dictionary or an encyclopedia: when you have a question, look it up.
--"Photoshop CS4 for Dummies" is for smart people. To really take advantage of Photoshop CS4 (and this book) you might also want to use the Index to look up things with which you are already familiar. Who knows? There might be a better/faster/easier/smarter way to do things you already do.

Now, a couple of personal comments:
--I'd like to thank the incredible team at Wiley for making this project one of the smoothest book updates I've ever experienced! Bob Woerner and the rest of the gang, thank you!
--Congratulations to the team at Adobe for putting together another great product.
--Thanks to my colleagues on the "Photoshop World Instructor Dream Team" for always being willing to share insights and ideas.
[...]

Enjoy!
Pete Bauer

Are you ready for a Photoshop book that breaks all the rules? Updated for Adobe Photoshop CS4, this top-selling book breaks new ground by doing something for digital photographers that's rare--it cuts through the bull and shows readers exactly "how to do it." It's not a bunch of theory; it doesn't challenge readers to come up with their own settings or figure it out on their own. Instead, it shows them, step by step, the exact techniques used by today's cutting-edge digital photographers and retouchers, and it does something that virtually no other Photoshop book has ever done--it tells you flat-out which settings to use, when to use them, and why. Including coverage of all the newest features of CS4--such as nondestructive corrections with the Adjustments panel, the new Vibrance adjustment layer, better Dodge and Burn tools, and enhanced Auto-Align and Auto-Blen panoramic features--The Photoshop CS4 Book for Digital Photographers is full-color, graphically rich, and contains project-based examples of every key step in the digital photography process. Integrating all the newest features of Photoshop CS4 into the book's workflow, Scott shows readers how to work with their images like a pro, from importing to organizaiton to correction to output. Readers will learn all they need to know to create stellar images using Photoshop CS4.