Strengths: Well laid, easy to use and in color. Price is
well worth it.
Weaknesses: No CD.
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 all the time. While there are many graphics programs that can do
some of the tasks, Photoshop is the one that offers the most power and
flexibility for the graphic professional. Now with the latest version,
Photoshop CS3 has arrived at the next level. Using all the functions is not
always easy. To meet that need, a guide for this version, Photoshop CS3 for Dummies,
has been published. And many Photoshop users will find this book useful for a
variety of reasons.
The
author is a 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 shows his excellent style,
knowledge of graphics, and the Photoshop program.
The
book spans 416 pages in five sections and twenty chapters. The pages and
tutorials are well laid out. There is much white space so the text is not
cramped and is very easy to read. Photos and and illustrations are in full
color. Tutorials are aided by bold titles, numbered sections and steps. Like
many of the dummies books, there are also icons which highlight tips, new
features, warnings, technical stuff, remember(ing important information).
Conclusion
I
really like this book for the many reasons. It is guidebook, resource guide and
is very readable for the novice to the advanced. There is a fine and well done
section learning about and using RAW images (Chapter7), fine tuning fixes
(Chapter8), using images in text messages (Chapter13), a well laid section on
using unsharp mask and working with filters which includes an excellent table
(Chapter15).
Recommendation
This
book is a great buy for many reasons, This book is more then a “dummies” book.
The author communicates in concise, clear and understandable ways covering the
strengths and versatility of the application while conveying a remarkable and
easy to understand way to use program for your graphics needs. While this is a
short review, I want to let you know again that this text will make a fine
addition to graphic users, especially to those who are in need of a fine
resource and guide to learn about or upgrade skills with photoshop CS3. You’’ll
be up and running in no time and learning more graphics capabilities. That’s
why I am ending this review short because not only is well done and I have
said much already but I want to start using and learning now and gain some more
new insights myself.
