I love all the Photoshop books that walk you through step by step and you don't have to use the authors graphics on their CD. I like that I can learn the technique step by step and use my own designs.
I recommend to any one that likes the Down and Dirty Tricks by Scott Kelby to get this book too.
It shows shows you the WHY as well as the How. That's Important:
I saw the review tearing the book down for just teaching lessons. True it teaches you to do things...but if you read the writers Introduction part of the book he explains that too many manuals show you how to do stuff. BUT not how to put the things you learn together and use it practically for day to day work. (and even to use in your portfolio) This authors trying to teach you to think AND learn. Something the previous reviewer missed. I found the book at the bookstore, looked it over from stem to... more info
not so extreme:
"Extreme Photoshop CS" is a mix of all kinds of tutorials for designers and illustrators using photoshop.
It is divided into three parts:
1: realism
2: cartooning
3: advanced illustration techniques
4: retro and vintage art There are 12 chapters alltogether THE REALISM SECTION:
The fishbowl chapter is the best of the realism section. It doesn't look super real but it's a nice illustration. The "text on fire" is awful and doesn't look real at all. Doesn't... more info
Wonderful and inspirational!:
Photoshop has been known for years as one of the most capable and powerful software packages available. Each iteration to the present Photoshop CS version has gotten more and more powerful and feature-rich. For many people, Photoshop is frighteningly hard to learn and use beyond mere photo editing - tonal and color adjustment, cropping, retouching, and the like. However, for those who know how to take advantage of its power, it is an amazing tool for creating original images. Matt Kloskowski,... more info
