By Joe Dolittle
In this all-new book review shootout, we put two books to the test. Read on to learn how Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual by Lesa Snider King, and Photoshop CS4 Channels Masks One-on-One by Deke McClelland stand up to our editorial review.
Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual
Photoshop is the world's most widely used photo-editing and graphics program. But with all its fantastic new features and options, the CS4 version can bewilder even the most seasoned professional.
That's where Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual comes in: packed with tips, tricks, and lots of practical advice, this visually rich four-color guidebook teaches you everything you need to know to edit photos and create beautiful documents in Photoshop.
Whether you're an absolute beginner or a power user ready to try some advanced techniques, author and graphics pro Lesa Snider King offers crystal-clear, jargon-free instructions to help you take advantage of these powerful tools--not only how they work, but when you should use them. You'll quickly get up to speed on new CS4 features such as:
- Photoshop's completely revamped workspace
- Smoother image display and quick zoom, including the new pixel grid view
- New Masks and Adjustments panels
- The Vibrance adjustment layer
- Hand-painting adjustments and using graduated filters in Camera Raw
- Enhanced Adobe Bridge
And much more. You'll also find out which features work well, and which aren't worth your time. Written with the clarity, humor, and objective scrutiny that are hallmarks of the Missing Manual series, Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual is the friendly, thorough resource you need.
Connected Photographer's evaluation
Photoshop CS4 is packed with wonderful new features, but if you're a long-time Photoshop user, even the basics will make you nuts. For example, did you know opening multiple files in multiple windows works entirely differently than anything else? You may not have needed a Photoshop manual in a very long time, but if you're using CS4 for the first time, you will - and if you're a long-time Photoshop user, you'll definitely need a manual. And what's better than a manual? A Missing Manual, of course. This one's another well-written Missing Manual from our friend at O'Reilly.
Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual by Lesa Snider King, published by Pogue Press, is 796 pages and has a retail price of $49.99. We give Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual a rating of 4 out of 5.
RATING: 4 STARSPhotoshop CS4 Channels Masks One-on-One
Coming to terms with alpha channels (or masks) is the most sure-fire way to boost the quality of your work in Photoshop. But masking isn't easy-in fact, the elusive alpha channel has been described as the least understood feature in Photoshop's enormous arsenal.
Now, you can master masking with Deke McClelland's unique and effective learning system. Through step-by-step text lessons, DVD-video demonstrations, and real-world projects, you'll learn how to select and composite highlights, shadows, clouds, fabric, feathers, glass, flame, lightning, eyes, all varieties of hair, and then some. Deke's expert advice and guidance is like working with a personal coach. With this book, you will:
- Learn at your own speed with 12 self-paced tutorials
- Try out techniques and best practices with engaging real-world projects
- Get more than 850 full-color photos, diagrams, and screen shots that illustrate every key step
- See exactly how it's done in real time with five hours of all-new video instruction
- Test your knowledge with multiple-choice quizzes in each chapter
And more. Photoshop CS4 Channels Masks 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.
Connected Photographer's evaluation
There's blue tape on the cover. You can never go wrong with blue tape on the cover. Seriously, though, Deke McClelland is one of the masters and this is a very challenging topic. What better way than learn from a master. This is well-worth the fifty bucks.
One money-saving tip, though. You can buy a month of Lynda.com training for $25, so if you're just buying the book for the 3 hours of Lynda.com training advertised on the cover, save your money and sign up on her site. But if you want a very instructive book, this is a must-read.
Photoshop CS4 Channels Masks One-on-One by Deke McClelland, published by Deke Press, is 497 pages and has a retail price of $49.99. We give Photoshop CS4 Channels Masks One-on-One a rating of 4 out of 5.
RATING: 4 STARS