User Group Bookshelf User Group BookshelfPhotoshop, image Processing, graphics, illustration, photography, retouching
Back to INDEXUGN Home PageSubmit Review
Just when you think it's safe to go back into Borders, the puns have reemerged from the people who brought us "Down & Dirty Tips." This is another "gotta have" item from the Killer Tips collection.
After finally making the jump into the full Creative Suite from Adobe, I was really enjoying the new advancements from all of these products. In realizing that there was clearly more at my disposal from visiting with Photoshop SIGs in User Groups and reading MacDesign magazine, I was on a quest to find the right book for my needs. Once again, Kelby (with a little help from his friends) delivers easy to follow, interesting and useful ideas that both remind you of some great things you may have loved from previous releases of PS, but also that make life easier by showcasing the incredible upgrades in the CS realm.
Like all of the "Killer Tips" books, the look and feel of this book is impressive. Beautiful panels of great hot-points (in fact, the introduction calls the whole book a collection of sidebars) are inviting and beg to be "dog-eared." The screen shots are appropriate examples of every item and it is all presented in a way that makes this the go-to-guide at your Mac-side.
This is a book for people with at least a modest familiarity of the terms and general use of Adobe's Photoshop. Killer Tips uses some terms that a true novice may need a PS glossary to understand. This is hardly a dislike since it is not a beginners' guide. There are a few redundant items regarding preference fixes and image sharpening, but it really depends on which methods are appropriate to the need(s). Some of these tips are also featured in Kelby's other similar titles, but I found it helpful to see a few things that I knew reinforced in this book. The reader needs to assume the right degree of subjective preference when attempting a few of these things and that is appropriate and a good thing in my opinion.
While there is a relatively large number of newer books outlining the CS suite, David Blatner's "Real World Adobe Photoshop CS" is about the closest. Blatner's book is more explanatory and outlines some methods in a more classroom-like style. "Killer Tips" is just that and gets to the coolness right off the bat. I would certainly recommend having both since each provides some excellent information.
Anyone who wants to learn some of the real benefits of upgrading to CS or to find some great hidden, and not so hidden, features of Photoshop CS should own this book. From straightening scans to placing type in a perfect circle and then reaching into managing metadata and some "undocumented" features, I found Photoshop CS Killer Tips to approach this great product in a like-minded way to my own. Easy to follow, fun to read and even explaining a few old dog tricks that can now be done in new pup fashion. A wonderful reflection on Kelby, Felix Nelson and Adobe, themselves.
Reviewed by Daniel East, founder and president of The Mid-Atlantic Macintosh User Groups Team (MaMUGs); a panelist on "PC Talk Radio;" a live speaker/presenter and a freelance columnist for several Mac publications.
Adobe Photoshop CS Down & Dirty Tricks
by Scott Kelby - List Price: $39.99 , Price: $27.99 You Save: $12.00 (30%) Paperback: 336 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.71 x 10.14 x 7.98; Publisher: New Riders; 3rd edition (October 2003)
under this topic, or in the
User Group Bookshelf
If you would like to review a book for the User Group Bookshelf, just contact the Editor, or if you would like to submit your own book or book review use our Reviews input form.
Check out the latest articles in the
User Group Library; catch up on the
MUG NEWS, or check out the latest
Shareware / Freeware Downloads.
Books for graphic designers, illustrators, desktop publishing, photography, web design, programming, and for specific image editing digital photo software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator go to the Designers' Bookshelf.