Photoshop CS4 for Dummies
Reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher
![](PSCS4Dummiesrevdone_files/image003.png)
Authors: Peter
Bauer
Publisher:Wiley
Publishing Company, Inc. 111 River Street Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
Released:October
2008
Pages:416
$25 USD, 30 CND, 16 GBP
ISBN:9780470327258
Strengths:Well
laid out, easy to use and in color. Price is well worth it. Authoritatively
written.
Weaknesses:No CD.
You will have to find own photos to use regarding the tutorials.
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced |
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Introduction
Photoshop is the premier graphics manipulation application.
From humble beginnings, this program has developed into a “blockbuster,”
getting better and better, adding new features over time. While there are many
graphics programs that can do some of the tasks, Photoshop CS4 offers most
power and flexibility for the graphic novice, intermediate and
professionals. Graphic editors who
use Photoshop will find this book useful for a variety of reasons.
The author is Photoshop World Dream Team Instructor and is
the author of graphic books, a host for video training titles and much more.
His experiences in the field of graphics are displayed in this book and display
his excellent style, knowledge of graphics, capable utilization of the
PhotoShop program for many graphic needs. His reading style is both authoritative and informative. But there is
more within the pages that assist with learning how to use Photoshop and its
complexities.
Users gain a good sense of understanding through the
excellent tutorials and readings. The book has 401 pages, as opposed to 396 pages in the previous version with CS3. Once again five
sections and twenty chapters are highlighted. The pages and tutorials are well
laid out. White space make for
easy reading as the
non-cramped text is very easy to
read. Photos and illustrations are in full color. Tutorials are aided by bold
titles, numbered sections and steps. Like many of the dummies books, there are
icons which highlight tips, new features, warnings, technical information,
remembering important knowledge. Cartoons, which adorn each section, are both humorous and
artistically cute, relate poignantly to a computer/ graphic use life, computer
usage or in another way.
The sections/ parts include: Basic training (warm and friendly introduction to Photoshop
from the beginning), Enhancing for Digital Images (use of color, raw images and
raw plug-in, fine tuning images and dealing with problems), Creating “Art” in
Photoshop (combining images, using vectors, using layer styles, text messaging,
painting fun and using filters), Power Photoshop streamlining your workflow and
extending CS4. Lastly, the Parts
of Ten (Top 10 favorite Photoshop tips and tricks, Wacom tablet information,
Ten reasons to want a digital camera).
Conclusions
I really like this book for many reasons. For one, this book
is a great buy. It is a excellent guidebook, resource guide and readable. Novice users will not “become lost”. The author communicates in concise,
clear and understandable ways covering the strengths and versatility of the application.
The text conveys a remarkable and easy to understand way to use Photoshop for
your graphics needs.
This text will make a fine addition to graphic users
library, especially to those who are in need of a fine resource/guide to learn
about or upgrade skills with PhotoShop CS4. You’ll be up and running in no time
and adding to your graphics
capabilities and knowledge.