Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z: Tools and features illustrated ready reference [Paperback]

Philip Andrews (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240520653 | ISBN-13: 978-0240520650 | Publication Date: August 29, 2007 | Edition: 1

Photoshop users of all levels need access to the crucial information in a flash. Techniques books provide the step-by-step instructions and how-to advice but this easy to navigate, dip-into guide provides quick answers to the inevitable 'what does that do?' questions that all too often bring progress to a grinding halt.

The full colour A to Z format covers hundreds of tools, features and menu options clearly and succinctly, with cross-references to related topics, screen shots and illustrative examples to help things fall into place. A new techniques section delves deeper into key areas, providing more instruction on essential tasks in an easy, step-by-step format. Fully updated with new CS3 features throughout, this is the Photoshop desk reference to adorn every digital image-maker's shelf.

* Intuitive A to Z format and clear, concise definitions make this the ideal desk reference guide to Photoshop's multitude of tools, options and features.

* Find the explanations, answers and practical advice you need to quickly get on with the task in hand - don't waste time looking anywhere else!

* Fully updated for CS3, with source images from the book and supporting tutorials provided on the accompanying website: www.photoshop-a-z.com.

* Intuitive A to Z format and clear, concise definitions make this the ideal desk reference guide to Photoshop's multitude of tools, options and features.
* Find the explanations, answers and practical advice you need to quickly get on with the task in hand - don't waste time looking anywhere else!
* Fully updated for CS3, with source images from the book and supporting tutorials provided on the accompanying website: www.photoshop-a-z.com.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for previous editions:

"Philip's work here is true to the diligence and consistency I've come to expect from his writing; his descriptions and tutorials are delivered to you in an easy, approachable style rarely found in software instruction."
Bryan O'Neil Hughes, Adobe Photoshop Product Manager

"Each section is expressed clearly with simple but highly effective and user-friendly illustrations...These are definitely books you should have to hand while working at your computer."
Amateur Photographer

"Some books you can never get into, some seem to fit like an old glove. To me this is certainly one of the latter. As far as I can see every action you are likely to make as a photographer is covered...This book is a must have, easy to follow reference that will guide you through CS2's many tools and commands."
Royal Photographic Society Digital Imaging Group magazine

"A thorough guide to Adobe's recent Photoshop CS2 release, this book...acts as an effective reference tool thanks to its easy to follow A to Z layout."
Computer Arts

"If you find the help feature in Adobe Photoshop a bit sparse, then this book could be an easy to use supplement."
Photoshop User

"If you ever wanted a quick reference guide to the mass of tools in Photoshop, then this is the answer...Keep it to hand as a quick and easy guide."
Which Digital Camera

"As the name suggests, this is a handy and easy to use reference for all things Photoshop. Designed in an index format, Bargh's informative book is well-illustrated and a valuable asset for all getting into digital imaging."
Better Digital

"The book provides a visual representation of various features within Photoshop accompanied by succinct, punchy text, which enables you to learn fast and efficiently. Whilst many Photoshop books are tomes difficult to read and understand, this book, with its easy and intuitive layout makes learning a breeze... Overall, this book is an invaluable reference tool that should adorn every desktop when working in Photoshop. Highly recommended."
John Shaw, Digital Photo and Practical Photographer

"... this handy and simple-to-use paperback ... is a perfect adjunct to ... any other technique book dealing with Photoshop."
Professional Photographer

"There are stacks of guide books on Photoshop and I'd feared this would be another that is useful but impossible to navigate. The reality was a pleasant surprise, with the author honestly appraising some of the more esoteric features ... of all the Photoshop self-help guides I've come across, Peter Bargh's book is the easiest to use."
Amateur Photographer

"The book makes an excellent visual reference guide and should prove very useful for the beginner through to the advanced user."
Digital PhotoFX

"The more we used this book, the better we liked it. This isn't the ultimate Photoshop book - and it isn't meant to be - but we can't think of any other that provides such quick and concise reference information."
Digital Photographer Magazine

About the Author

Philip Andrews is Adobe Australia's official Photoshop and Elements Ambassador. He is an experienced photographer, author, magazine editor and online course creator. He was previously a lecturer at the Queensland School of Printing and Graphic Arts, Australia and Nescot, England. He is a beta tester for Photoshop, an alpha tester for Photoshop Elements and a Photoshop specialist demonstrator for Adobe Australia. Contributing numerous articles and videos to AdobeTV and the inspirational browser, Philip is a leading source in adobe information and instruction. Philip is also co-founder of photo-college.com an online photography training college. He's a regular contributor to several magazines including Shutterbug, Amateur Photographer, Australian Photography and Better Photography, he is senior contributing editor for Better Digital, columnist for What Digital Camera and Co-editor and publisher of Better Photoshop Techniques magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (August 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240520653
• ISBN-13: 978-0240520650
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,175,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a useful reference book, December 22, 2007

By 

Earl J. Mcgehee "earl49" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z: Tools and features illustrated ready reference (Paperback)

Photoshop is not known for it's easy user interface or help files. There are many tutorial books that take you step-by-step through common tasks, but this is finally the book to let you quickly look up all those little things you can't remember. The book starts with about 20 pages of step-by-step summaries of common tasks (importing photos, selection techniques, retouching, etc) then the remainder of the book is an alpha listing of every Photoshop feature. Each feature has a consistent format showing a small before and after photo, the menu path for the command, the shortcut key for the command, what versions apply, "see also" and where needed a screen shot of a dialog box. There is no index - it's not needed. this is a handy size and it stays out now when I am using Photoshop.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My only choice for a desktop reference!, December 12, 2007

By 

Shan Canfield "Mama Shan" (Nashville, TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z: Tools and features illustrated ready reference (Paperback)

Philip Andrew's "Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z" is my choice for a great desktop reference. Even though I am an Adobe Certified Expert, I still can't remember everything. This book allows me to quickly lookup something, and get a concise description or function as well as having excellent image and screen shots.

It is the "perfect" size for me, in dimension and number of pages! Excellent binding, image quality, and pages. I have to mention this because I am so tired of buying a book that falls apart within a couple of weeks or has such "off" color in the images, that it makes you wonder if the author actually knows what they're talking about. Not the case here...the quality is top notch!

This is not a "how-to" book but, as an instructor of Photoshop, I highly recommend this book as a reference companion to any how to book, whether you are a beginner or an expert.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anyone can pick up a few tips, February 24, 2008

By 

luvmoose "Artist-Photographer" (Maine) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z: Tools and features illustrated ready reference (Paperback)

Even a casual reader can get tips from this book because a single topic is covered just on that page. If you have a question about a technique or are unfamiliar with some of the terminology, this is a great reference book.