Picked up a new PS book

cletus

I just added another book to my list of must-have Photoshop books: Adobe Photoshop CS Studio Techniques by Ben Willmore.

I've only read a small portion of it, but already I feel I've gotten my money's worth. Willmore has done a good job of not only walking the reader through the steps of various photoshop tasks, but he providing clear, informative explainations of why the steps need to happen.

wxwax

Hey Cletus, does it cover stuff not in the Kelby books? Does it have the same easy illustrated step-by-step instructions?

cletus

wxwax wrote:

Hey Cletus, does it cover stuff not in the Kelby books? Does it have the same easy illustrated step-by-step instructions?

Some of the stuff is new to me... It might be in the Kelby books and I just missed it. Other stuff is new ways to do some of the stuff you read about in most Photoshop books. For example there is a killer trick for sharpening that uses the Edit > Fade command.

Willmore also goes into a lot of detail on making the extract filter work... best coverage of the extract filter I've seen.

However, I don't think the book is as good as some of Kelby's stuff when it comes to presenting a "step-by-step here's what to do" procedure. In that regard the Kelby books are probably better for the beginning to intermediate photoshop user. I think the Willmore book would be of better value to more experienced users.

It might be interesting to take a look at How to Wow: Photoshop for Photography which Willmore co-authored with Jack Davis. IMHO Davis' previous books (mainly the Photoshop Wow series) are some of the best step by step photoshop books available.

wxwax

Thanks.

wxwax

Turns out I bought this book even though I'd completely forgotten about this thread. I was in the bookstore, looking for a book that clearly explained Curves. This book has a section that's easy to understand, detailed - and promises to guide me to the promised land.

I'm not convinced all sections are as good as the one on Curves, however. I tried to follow directions for the Path Selection Tool, and found them to be confusing. I think the issue is that he presupposes a level of knowledge that I don't have.

But the Curves stuff is top shelf.

ginger_55

wxwax wrote:

Turns out I bought this book even though I'd completely forgotten about this thread. I was in the bookstore, looking for a book that clearly explained Curves. This book has a section that's easy to understand, detailed - and promises to guide me to the promised land.

I'm not convinced all sections are as good as the one on Curves, however. I tried to follow directions for the Path Selection Tool, and found them to be confusing. I think the issue is that he presupposes a level of knowledge that I don't have.

But the Curves stuff is top shelf.

You pay full price for these books??? I only did that once. I did it to buy the RAW book. And I haven't used it enough to warrant not waiting.

But it was not 50.00.

The book I bought yesterday is on its way back to the store for a complete refund, as we speak........ It will be purchased for 80% less. On Amazon, as used, kind of.

That was a rediculous purchase, and I can always rectify them. What kills me is that magazines are not refundable, and they are so high.

I adore Lenswork. Anyone else???

ginger