Adobe Books

A lot of books focus on telling you what to do. This is great as it enables you to get the job done.

Far too often people who write technical manuals think that is all the learner requires in order to retain knowledge.

Thank goodness this book doesn't stop there. It tells you WHY things should be done this way in addition to the HOW. I've found this process much more reliable as a means to transmit information in a sticky format.

I've been working with Flash video for years and have found through trial and error how to get videos to work properly.

This book finally explains in plain english things like keyframes, interlacing for web, exactly how the new CODEC works.

Ultimately, every new thing this book taught me was set in cement by the logical explanation of the why.

Very good book that covers all from the beginig to the deploying to better deploy your video content. I am pleased to have gotten this book

As promised, this book offers a lot of food of thought, and provides an excellent framework for creating a professional-quality online video player.

The authors offer a strong argument against using the stock FLVPlayback components of CS3, and if you adopt their methodology (even if you skip Chapter 5 at first), you'll get plenty out of this book. You're sure to find some useful information, even if you don't drink all the design-pattern Kool-Aid.

This is a very excellent book. It cures any intimidation someone might have dealing with video in flash. The chapters were very easy to understand, and the samples were very fun to do. This book does really well at showing the potential and creativity of working with video in flash.

This book is a much-needed resource and road map to creating all kinds of Flash video for the web. Authors Larson and Constantini begin with a chapter on project archaeology and conclude with a chapter on live video. In between, they cover all the nooks and crannies from encoding, the big picture of Object Oriented Programming, dynamic playlists.....in others words: Flash Video from soup to nuts. Coming from a traditional non-web video background in editing and graphics, this book is quite simply the book I'd been hoping would appear once I began to dabble in Flash development. Up to this point, most Flash books usually have a standard chapter or two about video. This book is the whole enchilada and delivers a fantastic "forest for the trees" perspective on planning, creating and deploying Flash video websites. The text is very well-articulated on subject matter that is quite complex. Whether you're an advanced specialist ready to dip right into the Action Script and get your own Flash video ball rolling or you need a quick primer in order to talk the talk with a Flash colleague, this book is your pixel-perfect friend. From a technical standpoint, there is a lot here, but one can browse very easily for quick solutions. From a creative standpoint, there are many inspiring examples and recipes to apply everything from a simple YouTube interface to a more ambitious video wall a la Nam Jun Paik to a website. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book mostly in how it challenged me to approach Flash video as its own art and craft, however new. From cue points to video skins to custom players; the sky's the limit. Let this book be your breath of fresh FLV air.

He received it about 2 weeks after his birthday. I haven't talked to him about how he liked it, so I can't really evaluate it. I know that he was happy to get it. It was on his Amazon gift list. I use that list almost every year for his birthday

This is a very helpful book!!! I am using it for my Typography 1 class in college and it is making my projects so much easier because of the helpful hints and shortcuts...it is one of the best resources that I have or could ask for!

This is just what I was looking for, background, clear explainations, and detailed instruction. I would look forward to any future publications by this author.

I bought it, I like it, I use it, it's worth it. Have read it cover to cover twice. But since this is a book about typography, I can't resist pointing out errors in that vein.

1. There is no example C with figure 7.9, page 92.
2. There is a double-hyphen on page 157 in violation of a guideline on page 158.
3. A spell check would have caught the "areis" on page 212.
4. The hyphenation break on "conservation" violates the very guideline being stated on page 157.

There are other typos, but let me move on. Biggest weakness: the book stops abruptly on p. 262. How about finishing with a wrap-up chapter of some kind? This could include summary-level checklists. Even so, I would still buy it again.

I found this book to be an excellent resource for anyone using text in InDesign CS2. The layout was clear and the content very informative. To connect the examples to the text was confusing at times, and because the numbering was incorrect in some places, I found myself second-guessing when I was not 100% clear about what was going on.

This is a great book if you're still using Photoshop Elements 2.0. I'm glad I got this book, even though I plan to swtich to Elements 3.0 soon. It's easy to follow and comprehensive. Thank you.

If you can ignore the author's attempts to humor you, this is a pretty good book......he takes you thru PE2's paces, with lots of pictures and an accompanying CD with exercises. It's $20 well-spent, since the User Guide that comes with the software is pretty much useless unless you're familiar with the program to start with. Can't go wrong.

What a great find! I have twice worked through all the lesson tutorials, using the book and CD in combination.

Another book kept telling me how important "unsharp mask" was for sharpening the focus of photos. But I could not find how to adjust and combine the three settings in the unsharp mask dialog box. Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 H.O.T. suggested settings which have improved my photos immensely.

Thank you, Shane and Lynda, for producing such a great book. It is worth several times its price.

Whenever I start a new interest, I must buy every related book. When I began digital photography and using Photoshop Elements, I increased my creative library exponentially. No matter what I read, I had a mental block about layers. The CD-ROM exercises and text of this book, finally helped me understand the concepts and use of layers. Perhaps the humor is a bit corny, but the content, hands on training and content make this a must buy for new digital photographers using Photoshop Elements.

Although I have worked my way through this book and learnt the basics quite well, I wouldn't recommend it . The author obviously thinks a good computer book needs a lot of jokes to make it sell. Unfortunately his jokes are so lame that by the end of the book they were driving me crazy.Jokes are only good if they are funny. Shane's jokes are NOT funny!!! He should give up the jokes and just concentrate on teaching the program. Then he will have a really good book!

Deke McClelland is simply the most articulate writer alive on computer procedures. He's clear, witty, and exceptionally knowledgeable. Throw away your manual and use this book instead. And he's accessible. E-mail him if you don't understand something (sorry, Deke).

Most Illustrator books tell you how easy it is to use the program, leaving most of us feeling stupid because we can't figure the darn thing out. McClelland starts by acknowledging that Illustrator can be confusing -- you feel better already -- and goes on to assure you that as you learn the program it will become easier and easier to do more and more complicated things. He then goes on to tell you in clear prose and pictures exactly how these things are done. If more how-to books were written this skillfully, fewer of us graphic artists would suffer depressions.

I have been struggling trying to understand Illustrator and the whole vector thing. Finally, this book explained it in a way I could understand.

Most books just tell you which tool does what. This book tells you which tool does what, and why, and how to tell if you're doing it right, and even more importantly, how to avoid problems.

For instance, I never knew you could drag in between anchor points. But chapter 5 explained the difference between dragging a point or a segment.

Not only that, but I really enjoyed the writing style. Not at all stuffy, but very folksy and fun to read.

I need to use Illustrator to make fancy headlines for my company's newsletter and web site. Finally I can do it without struggling.

I had been using a small corner of Illustrator in my work for about a year, and this book expanded my horizons significantly. I found this one of the better technical manuals I've read. The information is complete, the treatment thorough, and the information easy to access. I read it cover to cover, and after 2 months it still sits on my desk as a quick reference.

The author has a somewhat strange sense of humor, which I enjoyed. I suppose some people might not want off-beat references made to unrelated items, but I didn't mind, and it made the read easier.

Thirty nine pages of this 832 page book comprise the index; I didn't read that. I read the rest of the book; all of it. Every golden word that issued forth from author Deke McClelland's clever mind. Yes, at times, my eyes glazed over, my mind skipped a beat and there was some missing time. I've had dreams about that.

I 'bit the bullet' four years ago with Adobe Photoshop and bought and read one of those three inch books. The type of book that carefully explains how molecules interact in Photoshop. That did the trick for me and I have never regretted it since. Photoshop is now my friend.

I put it off and put it off, but the day came when it was time to find a three inch book for Adobe Illustrator. Deke's book "Real World Illustrator 8" is the book I chose. Am I glad I did.

What can I say about Deke? I've never met him; or her. He knows Illustrator very well or knows someone in Adobe who does. Deke can and does get the message across in a quick, clear and fun manner. He covers it all and then some. Most of all - I learned Illustrator once and for all!

The book will be a constant companion for some time to come. It is arranged in a logical and useful way to both learn from and use in future projects. You can't go wrong buying this book.

Some things I'd like to see added or changed are: - A bit more than two and one half pages on Gradient Mesh - A glossary of terms - Treat Windows keystrokes equally

It was no big deal to quickly change the Mac keystrokes to the Windows control key or alt key. The world is changing and many of us serious digital artists using Adobe products are on Windows not Mac. I bet Adobe knows how many. Everyone may be surprised.

In conclusion I would like to thank Deke McClelland for this book. It is a phenominal accomplishment. Thank you.

I upgrade my Real World Photoshop when I upgrade Photoshop itself. This is the only book that truly covers Adobe's colour management. While it is true that there is very little change from the last edition, those changes are critical for using Photoshop's newest colour management tools. The authors have also made Adobe Gamma setting more reasonable by using a monitor colour temp of 6500k instead of the yellowish 5000k, and by recommending the contrast be lowered to something that looks good instead of full-on, which is really bad on the eyes, if nothing else. Finally BruceRBG is a colour space that works beautifully for inkjet users. I've advised many people to try it and they usually report much easier time going from monitor to print. I notice that Bruce himself says in this edition he does not use it as much as he used to, but I still find it the best colour space for my work -- except for the web. BruceRGB is a printers colour space and has no value in web publishing.
There are no neato effects like in the WOWIE! type books. I consider that to be a plus. Your opinion may vary.
If I were allowed only 2 books on Photoshop this would be one. Katrin Eismann's book on retouching would be the other

This book leads to more questions than answers. The manner in which this book is written is frustrating.

I remember an earlier edition of "Real World Photoshop" that was rather boastful. On the back cover, it stated catagorically that certain effects and filters were NOT included. Not that many of the filters in Photoshop don't have a place; they just don't have a place in the day-to-day production work professionals use Photoshop for.
RWP 6 is no exception. It doesn't include sections on how to use the Dry Brush filter, for instance. But if you want the absolute best advice about color profiling and color management; how to use (and not to use) the Unsharp Mask; how to get great scans, and generally how to more effectively use this graphics wunderkind, Mssrs. Blatner and Fraiser have the best advice in the business.
The first edition of this book I owned covered Photoshop 3, and I've owned each successive edition as Photoshop matured into its current version. Blanter and Fraiser do an excellent job of making sure references to older items or techniques are updated or deleted to reflect new or different capabilities. If you own Photoshop with the intention of earning money with it, invest in some RAM, and Real World Photoshop. Both will make your Photoshop experience faster, more efficient, and more profitable.

I upgrade my Real World Photoshop when I upgrade Photoshop itself. This is the only book that truly covers Adobe's colour management. While it is true that there is very little change from the last edition, those changes are critical for using Photoshop's newest colour management tools. The authors have also made Adobe Gamma setting more reasonable by using a monitor colour temp of 6500k instead of the yellowish 5000k, and by recommending the contrast be lowered to something that looks good instead of full-on, which is really bad on the eyes, if nothing else. Finally BruceRBG is a colour space that works beautifully for inkjet users. I've advised many people to try it and they usually report much easier time going from monitor to print. I notice that Bruce himself says in this edition he does not use it as much as he used to, but I still find it the best colour space for my work -- except for the web. BruceRGB is a printers colour space and has no value in web publishing.
There are no neato effects like in the WOWIE! type books. I consider that to be a plus. Your opinion may vary.
If I were allowed only 2 books on Photoshop this would be one. Katrin Eismann's book on retouching would be the other

I was expecting a complete overview of photoshop techniques. When I did read it, it seemed this book was focused on adjusting color for photos. It is a comprehensive study of the topic, and I learned a great deal about adjusting the color of photos, but a comprehensive walkthrough of photoshop features, it is not.

I have yet to get through all the tips and excersizes, but I am getting there. So far the directions are SUPER easy to follow and a lot of fun. The author is quirky and blunt and I like that. Defintely worth the purchase!

While I like the book, the fact that it is ignorant of Mac (9 or OSX) commands is disappointing. Basically, Photoshop books today respectfully address and discuss both PC and Mac issues. This is standard. All the great Peachpit Press books, for example. If I had known that the author was a PC guy and not going to address any of this, I would not have purchased it. The cover makes no mention of this. Additionally, there are other errors in the book as well (as in directing you to a disk file which is misnumbered).

Maybe this is my pet peeve, but I wasted time today figuring out how to do this stuff on a Mac when I wanted to be figuring out Photoshop techniques instead.

There are other books which are just as good...if not better. Next time I'm sticking with Scott Kelby for this type of book.

Intended user: Beginning to Advanced

I knew just by thumbing through this book that I was going to enjoy the time I spent reviewing it. And then when I read these words on page two of the introduction - "If I had to make a single recommendation about how to quickly learn to successfully use Photoshop, it would be to learn all about those few features that you need to use to get your work done - and ignore the rest." - I said where was this book 5+ years ago? Oh sure there has always been instructional books similiar to this, but most are bible length epics and just as cryptic as the bible itself.

The book comes with a CD-ROM that not only includes:

* 50 sets of "before" and "after" images
* A Photoshop tryout version: 6.0, but hey - beats having to download.
* An ebook.pdf of the book that you can keep on your computer.
* A slide show of all 50 techniques
* A companion webpage: called www.reallyusefulpage.com, and
* You can even email the author himself - right from the CD.

The first six chapters are set up as a Photoshop bootcamp, to help you become successful with the last 44 techniques. Even if you are an experienced user o f Photoshop, I recommend - as does the author - that you complete all six techniques in Chapter 1 before trying any of the other techniques. Then you will have the required knowledge to try any of the other techniques in any order that you want .

Take a Peek at All the Information Packed In This Book:

Chapter 1 - Photoshop 7 Fundamentals - Techniques 1-6:

Configuring Photoshop, Controlling Image Window, Automamating Tasks, Creative Experimentation, Calibrating Your Monitor, and Configuring Basic Color Management.

Chapter 2 - Correcting, Enhancing, and Restoring Digital Photos -Techniques 7-13:

Quick Image Correction, Advanced Image Correction, Increasing Color Saturation, Restoring an Old Image-(my personal favorite), Removing Noise or Grain, Sharpening Digital Photos, and Adding Information to a Digital Photo.

Chapter 3 - Working In Black and White -Techniques 14-19:

(2)Converting a Photo to B&W, Burning and Dodging with Masks, Using Scaling Masks to Speed Edits, Isolating and Extracting Detail using Values, and Selective Focusing.

Chapter 4 - Creative Experimentation - Techniques 20-25:

Hand-Painting a Black and White Image, Creating a Pseudolsolarization, Adding a Traditional Darkroom Texture Screen Effect, Fixing Images with a Digital Graduated Neutral Density Filter, Simulating an Infrared Film Effect, and Creating a Toned Image.

Chapter 5 - Combining Photos in Montages, Collages, and Composites -Techniques 26-29:

Creating Photo Objects, Making a PhotoMontage, Combining Bracketed Photos, and Using a Mask to Create a Collage

Chapter 6 - Fine Art Techniques - Techniques 30-35:

Total Color Transformation, Using Filters to Create Fine Art Prints, Coloring a Digital Sketch, Creating a Pen Ink Sketch Using a Watercolor Wash, Creating a Digital Painting, Creative Use of Filters and Commands.

Chapter 7 - Using Plug-Ins to Add Impact to Your Photos - Techniques 36-41:

Using Image Correction Plug-Ins, Using Grain Surgery to Remove Digital Noise, Convering Color to B&W Using Convert to B&W Pro, Creating Artwork with Buzz.Pro 2.0, Using a Pen Tablet and Pen Palette 1.0, and Using Special Effects Plug-Ins.

Chapter 8 - Making Photographic Prints - Techniques 42-47:

Using Print Preview (Picture Package and Contact), Increasing Image Size to Make Large Prints, Using an ICC Profile When Printing with an Epson 880/1280 Printer, Getting Fuji Frontier Prints Made, Using Shutterfly's Online Printing Service, Getting Lightjet 5000 Prints from Calypso Inc.

Chapter 9 - Creating An Online Gallery - Techniques 48-50:

Creating an Online Gallery, Creating Animations Using Digital Photos, and Creating an Image Map.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone from beginners to professionals who work with Photoshop everyday. Not only is it loaded with detailed, reference information - (and CD) - it's also a [great price]BR>MacMice Rating: 5 out of 5

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Trixie McGuire ...

Disjointed and seemingly written for the Windoze only crowd, give this book a pass and spend your money more wisely elsewhere.

I read almost everything published, books to magazines. As a book for entry level digital photographers wishing to progress, this is the best book. I learned a few things too. Well done.

This book has been very helpful in learning more about Photoshop Elements 2 than just basics. I would reccomend it

I have been using Photoshop Elements 2.0 for a few years now. I consider myself fairly adept with the program and have already familarized myself with all the tools. However, every time one of my graphically inclinded friends sits down with the program, they seem to be able to create their desired manipulations faster and better than I can. I was hoping with the help of this book I would get better at using the tools I had already been using - making me a more efficent and affective user.

Unfortunately, this was not the book for me. This book does a good job of explaining what each of the tools do and how to use them. As another reviewer already stated, it's like using the help section but in print form. The book is easy enough to follow (though it may be a little overwhelming if you're brand new to any kind of graphical software). If you're trying to figure out what everything in the program does, this book is definitely a viable option. However, if you're looking for a book to help you improve using the tools you've already been using, this book will be of little use to you.

This book is exactly what it says it is "A visual introduction to digital imaging". Even though the it was not useful to me, I cannot fault it for not being more than the title claims hence the 4/5 stars rating.

I am only in my teens but my dad got a copy of photoshop elements, a digital camera and and this book. I found it great to start of with and it has helped me gain great marks on all my assignments. I reccomend to all beginners who are starting of with photoshop elements.

This book is definitely not an introduction to digital imaging. What it is, a well organized and illustrated book listing the features of Photoshop Elements and what can be accomplished with it. This book is not something you can follow to perform various digital manipulations. In fact I believe that it is no better than using the help section of the program, which comes free with the program! After trying the book I found free material on several web sites that had good detailed steps to follow. this book should offer typical cases with step by step instructions.

It was the second book I had bought to learn elements. It hit the mark. Perfect. Lots of illustrations, lots of color, and not too much verbosity. A picture IS worth a thousand words. A web site provided has all the pictures available to "play with."
This book has given me a tremendous grasp of Elements in an extremely short time. Philip Andrews has done an incredible job. There may be more for me to learn in Elements but this is without a doubt the best introduction I have found. Before purchasing I thumbed through many books which left me cold. Philip's book truly gets you up and going quickly.

I highly recommend this book with Photoshop elements 6....A great help and easy to understand

Very clear explanations, easy to follow, I'm enjoying learning. I have done some minor things and my confidence is growing. I recommend this book by Philip Andrews strongly.

In college I took a required course to learn what kind of learner I was. I thought it was stupid and didn't want to go. Everyone knows you learn by reading books. What I found out was that I had a much higher retention rate in the visual mode. Made college a lot easier. This book is a good example of a text for the visual learner. Very well laid out and paced.

My one complaint was that it was a bit skimpy on the Organizer. Many of us have a mess of photos that we need to organize. This organizer eliminates the need for sub-folder after sub-folder but the book does not highlight that strength nearly enough.

I highly recommend the book for the new-to-digital-photography set.

***THIS REVEW IS FOR THE CD ONLY***

I really like how the CD explains the PE 6. It shows the entire screen as it helps you through the tutorials. Very helpful to me, one who is new to the PE programs and requires an audio and moving visual way of learning.

The bad part is that the audio on the CD I received was garbled with a distorted sound throughout the disc. Some of the subheadings were worse than others as far as the audio distortion goes.

I contacted Focal Press, talked to a tech guy. He helped me try some things on my computer that did not end up helping with the audio trouble I had with this disc. Later he went over his copy, then emailed me to say that his copy was not effected. I returned my first copy, received a second and it did the same thing in the exact same places. So I returned the second copy as well.

Before returning the second copy, I even tried down loading the free quick time by Apple, which a website for another book had recommended for their audio trouble in hopes it would help this one. It did not help my CD trouble with this book. (I do not have any other trouble with audios with my computer from any other discs. Just the CD that came with this book.)

I then bought the book: How to Cheat in Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 for it's CD. I was disappointed with the only partial view of the screen. This was very limiting since it doesn't show where to click so you can try it for yourself.

If anyone has a tip on how I can get this CD to work on my PC (A Dell Inspiron 6400 please let me know so I can buy another book and try it again.) I learned several things on PE 6 software from the CD that came with this book but can't remember them all. The garble distortion was so annoying! Hopefully your disc will be fine.

(4 stars is for the CD only and it is missing a star due to the audio garble and distortion.)

As the subtitle says, this is an introduction to Adobes' `junior' image editing application.

The book itself is well laid out, with sections ranging from introductions to digital photography and Elements itself to printing, file management and some simple projects.

It's a good book for dipping into - the sections are easy to navigate with a clear contents page and index to help you find your way around.

The graphics used throughout the book are clear and well laid out and illustrate the tools and techniques being described in the text. Screenshots are good and a reasonable size so you can see all the components of a tool or menu.

At the moment, it only covers the Windows version - there's no indication of what will happen when the Macintosh version is released later this month.
- All the keyboard shortcuts are for Windows, and the `Organizer' workspace is fairly extensively covered - the Mac version will use `Bridge' as featured in CS3, so a relatively major rewrite would be required.

However, for users of the previous Windows based Elements version, mention is made where appropriate to equivalent commands in v.5 along with indicators where a particular tool or technique is new to v.6. It should be just possible to apply some of the techniques to older versions of Elements, but I wouldn't recommend buying this book unless you already own or are intending to upgrade to Elements 6.

A CD is supplied with the book which has a number of video tutorials covering the new and updated features in v.6 and some of the projects featured in later sections in the book, along with resources for practising the more complex work-throughs - within the text, an indicator is used to show that content is available on the CD.

The author also has a web site including video podcasts, tutorials, and loads of additional resources, some for previous Elements versions.

I found this to be a very informative book with plenty of material for the new Elements user and a good all round introduction to digital imaging.

Strengths: Very nice glossary and index. Instruction is top notch and instructional tutorials are extremely well laid out and easy to read. The instruction is solid and the screenshots and photos integrate with the instructions. Book can be used as a good resource to skip around with the book or read sequentially. Great instruction in the use of Lightroom software. Even if you don't use Lightroom you may gain valuable ideas from the author and the instructions by using another image processing software like iPhoto etc.
Weaknesses: Vertical titling of the chapter names, down the outside of the pages, is disconcerting. These and the page numbers should have been place horizontally on the top of the page.

Introduction

Interestingly, Photoshop it is said, was never designed for photographers even though it is the best image - processing applications. The highlight of the book is what the software can do for you and how you can apply the software to complete your best photographs. While Photoshop elements was created to fill part of the this void, Lightroom is not focused on graphics but organizing your photographs to make them easy to find, search and use. Lightflow sounds like a version of iPhoto that connects with Photoshop. My main aim was to see whether this tool is equal to or greater than iPhoto or other image processing collection applications so that Mac users and myself can learn about different image collection programs.

The author is the editor of Outdoor Photography and HDVideoPro magazines, has authored several books and his works have appeared in National Geographic.

The books 323 pages cover three part/ sections and 13 chapters. It is nice that the pages have tabs that correspond to chapter selections. However, I do not like that the chapters' titles run down the sides vertically. There was ample room to place these on the top of the pages with the pages numbers as well. I don't like having to turn the book sideways to read the titles. Each chapter has a Q&A (Question and Answer instructions and additional assistance about specifically targeted ways to use the photos (slideshows etc ).

Side notes include: Pro tips, X-ref (additional reference guides within the book). The author has provided nicely sized screenshots (using Macintosh OSX interface) so that photos and screenshots are readable. But what is missing are arrows, circles or additional icons that "can zone in on" the selections to show the instructions for displaying even more clearer. While there are a couple of white arrows and bulls eye icons, its not enough. Still the instruction is quite suitable and for the most part easy to understand as integrated with the tutorials.

Part 1 is about all you want to know about Lightroom, introduction to the Lightroom concept, basics and working with the camera. Part 2 covers the Library Module, image processing presentations possibilities, working with slide shows, printing and working with the web module. Part 3 provides knowledge about Lightroom and Photoshop.

What also makes the text readable is that each page is separated into two columns, uses bold text to highlight the beginning of the instructional paragraphs. Numbers with the paragraphs and spacing of the paragraphs makes for manageable reading.


Conclusions

In many cases, tips are provided for both Windows and Mac operations. The section on Library module including information concerning keywords is well done. The Lightroom allows the creation, storage and use of Keywords as in iPhoto. Folders and collections can also be used with the selection process as iPhoto. The Lightroom interface for the keywords seems a little more straightforward then iPhoto but both seem to operate in the same manner. I like the section on Lightroom modules (ch.6) and the nice screenshots of the tone curves and other basic calibrations. The tonal, color setting and color corrections curve instructions are very well done. I also like way the author provides instructions when working with slideshow module.

While it sounds like a version of iPhoto, Lightroom seems a little more elegant but functions in much the same way. Where the book and the instructions from the author excel is not only how to perform basic functions using the software but more specifically how to take these instructions to the next level. This book is well done and in many ways entices you into trying Lightroom.

The author provides you with the instructions and more ideas to work with regarding photographs. This book is a great guide and resource if you are using Lightroom. If you don't have Lightroom, you might find the instructions can be used with other image processing programs and possibly with iPhoto (instructions don't come with iPhoto as you know). Clear and very well done, you can learn much from this author.

Well written, with clear instructions. Helped me understand Lightroom and get the most out of it. Has made using Lightroom both productive and enjoyable.

This is yet another very lavishly produced Lightroom book. It has lots of colorful illustrations (which are not really necessary), and lots of very old-fashioned "practical advice" based on outmoded practices from times before software like Aperture or Lightroom was available.

On the other hand, it's very thin on advanced features, and on things that Lightroom makes possible, even for a novice.

To give just a few examples: The author suggests (extensively) creating unnecessarily elaborate folder structure, meant to easily recognize what photos are in which folder (he names the folders by state in which photos were taken, and descriptive labels such as Tony's Birthday party). This is absolutely unnecessary, and in fact has many disadvantages, e.g., at the time of making backups to optical media (DVDs).

On the other hand, he merely mentions keywords and declares their use "tedious". But he clearly doesn't understand how they work in the software. There is no SINGLE mention of keyword hierarchies (and how they can reduce the "tedium" of entering multiple keywords), and of the numerous ways to assign keywords: the stamper / painter tool, MULTIPLE drag and drop options, keyword spell check, custom keyword sets, automatic recent keyword feature, or dynamic character of keyword hierarchies which can be easily re-arranged later as the library grows, without any loss of already assigned keywords. No mention of the fact you can easily export or import keyword sets. He points out that sometimes you might assign different keywords when you mean the same (like flower and flowers and plant); yet, fails to mention the fact that the SYNONYMS feature takes care of exactly that problem. Reading the book you would think that Lightroom's keywords work like those in iPhoto or other, consumer-level software (they do not - they are SO much better here).

Similarly, the author says he doesn't use all of available star ratings. He gives an example of using star ratings to winnow out the rejects from a large shoot. That's OK if he wants to do it that way, but this is not the best tool for that purpose. Unfortunately, he does not mention the one tool which WAS meant to do JUST THAT, i.e., the use of pick-flags, especially in conjunction with the "Refine Photos" command (which is meant exactly for that purpose, and works very easily and efficiently, without affecting the star ratings).

The book misses mentioning many basic keyboard shortcuts when they might be useful - to mention star ratings again - readers will not know that it can go much faster if you hold the shift key when you use number keys, which will move you automatically to the next, yet unrated photo. Yes, the author is right that rating, and THEN moving to the next photo is somewhat awkward and slow, BUT of course there is a much faster, and much more efficient way to do this.


That's too bad, because otherwise, this would be a sensible, very visually attractive, and mostly well written intro to the most basic features. Unfortunately it misses too many opportunities to give new users the efficient tools which are at their fingertips, and which they already paid for.

As a serious nature photographer I want to spend my time taking pictures and not processing them on the computer. We all know what a great tool Lightroom is and this book is the tool to learn Lightroom for Photographers. We all want to spend less time at the computer and the same is true for learning new computer software. Rob breaks down everything you need in an easy to read well thought out way that makes sense for photographers. Our needs are different and Rob gets it right with this book. Through each chapter Rob will highlight the need to know stuff through great examples and step by step instructions. I keep my copy right next to the computer and use it as reference piece all the time. Now go out and capture some great images and then use Lightroom to organize & edit them. Great book!

I got both this book and Kelby's "Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers" at the same time as I began to learn Lightroom. Of the two, I found this to be much more helpful and clear. Sheppard's style is clear and his explanations of the tools in Lightroom are quite helpful. He's clearly giving his opinions as to how the tools should be used, but he also reaffirms that these are opinions, not rules carved in stone. His "Pro Tips" boxes are full of good advice about the program, photography, and why two button mice are important for Mac users (perhaps he hasn't yet seen the Mighty Mouse). All in all, an excellent book introducing the power and versatility of Lightroom.

This is a very nice fine art photography book dealing with black and white. The author is obviously very well versed in Adobe Photoshop and his expertise is evident through his writing. The inforamtion is well presented and clearly stated. The images are well done and have a broad appeal to both a professional and amateur.

Well worth the money

I consider this book to be in a class with the best books written on photography.
I especially appreciate the Ansel Adams quote and the way that Maurice Hamilton lets his own gallery speak for itself. The emphasis is not on showing off his own work but rather, on helping the reader advance their own art. My work has improved significantly since my first reading and I will read sections over several times.

Bravo Maurice and thank you, Linnea Nereim

Intrigued by the glowing review of this book by Garth Leach at The Daily Shooter.com, I acquired a copy and experimented with several of the black and white conversion techniques described.

Like Garth, I found this book guided me toward the creation of outstanding black and white images. This book seems geared toward the intermediate Photoshop user but should also be helpful to novice users.

Film photographers have long savored black-and-white photography for its stark alternative to realism, and the stripped down, minimalistic approach to creating an image. Digital photography threatened to push black-and-white photography to extinction, but, thankfully, artists like Hamilton have preserved the spirit of the medium and extended it through the use of Adobe's flagship image editor.

The author shows you the proper way to create monochrome images while preserving -- or enhancing tonality. He explains that a good black-and-white image isn't simply a color image that's been desaturated. I also liked the exploration into reproducing traditional darkroom techniques in Photoshop. This is a must-have book for any serious black-and-white worker.

There is no doubt that the author, Maurice Hamilton, made a great effort to produce a technical book about the finer points of using Photoshop to produce black and white images. It is technical and 'dry', and a hard slog. He explains (at length) some of the detailed procedures, tips and methodology which go to making fine prints. But, the book made me think of some of the Hollywood epics where the idea is grand but the director and the editor let the cast down. I don't care for the high price-low quality production of the book, either. Not that worthy and informational books must be slick and glossy; but for me they must be attractive and 'feel' good. I will keep this book in my reference library, but I do not count it in my '20 best photography books' list!