Adobe Photoshop CS4: Up to Speed [Paperback]

Ben Willmore (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321580052 | ISBN-13: 978-0321580054 | Publication Date: November 1, 2008 | Edition: 1

Long established as a must-have guide for Photoshop users upgrading to the newest version, Up to Speed goes right to the heart of Photoshop CS4 what has changed, what is new, and how you can get the most out of the features as quickly as possible. Rather than sift through hundreds of pages detailing every last Photoshop feature and function (both old and new), you can go directly to the new features that interest you the most and get the explanations you desire in the classic Ben Willmore style-- intuitive, crystal clear, and in-depth. By focusing on a single topic--what's new in this version--the award-winning author provides precisely what experienced Photoshop users have been clamoring for, in exactly the depth they demand. After reading this book even if you've been using CS4 for awhile don't be surprised to hear yourself say, I didn't know CS4 did that! In addition to learning the new features in no time flat, a welcome side effect of learning from Ben is that you can expect to become a better, faster and more efficient Photoshop user, and few things are more fun than becoming better at Photoshop!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ben Wilmore is the clearest and most concise Photoshop teacher I know. His book is on the top ten list of Photoshop books I recommend to every beginning Photoshop student."
--George DeWolfe Senior Editor: ViewCamera and Camera Art Magazines (www.georgedewolfe.com)
"Ben's sessions at PhotoshopWorld are always standing room only. His latest book provides ample reason as to why he's so popular. He breaks down the complex and arcane side of Photoshop into something that is understandable. And few things are more fun than becoming better at Photoshop. It's a great book."
-Jim Workman
Publisher, PhotoshopUser Magazine
(www.photoshopuser.com)
"Thanks to Ben Willmore's Up to Speed, the journey from one Photoshop version to another has never been faster or easier. Adobe should give this book to every user who buys a copy of Photoshop."
-George Lepp
Columnist Outdoor Photographer Magazine
Owner The Lepp Institute
(www.theleppinstitute.com)
"Ben has a real gift for teaching Photoshop, and the uncanny ability to make difficult concepts seems absolutely simple. I have every book Ben's ever written, and when he comes out with a book, I buy it! Ben has a way of cutting to the chase and explaining things in a way that just make sense. His approach to training has won him legions of fans, and this book continues his tradition of making Photoshop easy and understandable. If you want to really dig under the skin of Photoshop's amazing new features, this is the book to buy! Highly recommended!"
--Scott Kelby
President, National Association of Photoshop Professionals (www.photoshopuser.com)

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1 edition (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321580052
• ISBN-13: 978-0321580054
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #692,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Time Again, November 10, 2008

By 

Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adobe Photoshop CS4: Up to Speed (Paperback)

Every 18 months Adobe issues a new version of Photoshop. Every 18 months Ben Willmore produces a new version of "Up to Speed", describing the new features of the newest version of Photoshop. Every 18 months I write a review saying that, for experienced Photoshop users, upgrading from the prior version to the newest version, this book is the quickest way to learn the new features. It's that time again.

As usual Willmore describes all the new features in clear precise language. If the function of the feature is obvious, he tells you how to set it up. If its application is not apparent, he explains the feature in enough detail to make it apparent. If it's really complex, he delves into the complexity. It's all there and there is not a superfluous word.

Typical was his instruction concerning Camera Raw 5.0. The new plug-in includes the Adjustment Brush, a tool that was brought over from Lightroom 2 that allows for local adjustments in Camera Raw. In 5 pages he provides the most clear and concise explanation of this tool that I've read anywhere. In fact I'd recommend to Lightroom users who may be a bit confused by the Adjustment Brush that they read this explanation. (Unfortunately, Willmore can't explain why the Adjustment Brush works so much better in Camera Raw then Lightroom, but then, neither can Adobe's engineers.)

I do have a single complaint. Willmore notes that some of the new features of the tools, like Bird's Eye View, may not work without the proper video card. What he didn't say was to go to the Adobe web page, where there's a list of the cards that work, and advice that you may need to download new drivers from the video card's manufacturer, and even links. I installed the new drivers and now all the features are available.

Why waste time reading a Photoshop CS4 book that tells you about features that are carried over from CS3? Spend an evening with this short book and you will be "Up to Speed."

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best New Photoshop book each year, if ...., December 6, 2008

By 

Kent C (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adobe Photoshop CS4: Up to Speed (Paperback)

... you've already read at least one of the other 'full featured' books from Deke, Martin, Katrin, Scott, and others, even Ben's 'Studio' book. And any of those authors are good choices if you're just starting out. But if you just want to get up-to-speed on the laterst version of PS, then this is the book to get.

And Ben adds the 'why' as well as the 'how' on the new features, so you'll have a deeper understanding of what has been added. While this book comes with no cd/dvd - there are many tutorials already on the web - I find myself using it as a reference after the first read-through and that is more handy than running and searching through a video to answer a specific question.

If I could give more stars than 5, I would.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Run, don't walk..., January 11, 2009

By 

Cat Lover "Maggie" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adobe Photoshop CS4: Up to Speed (Paperback)

... and get this book if you're upgrading to Adobe Photoshop CS4! Ben Willmore covers ONLY the "new stuff" in his Up To Speed series and this book is well worth its price. It's not a general Photoshop book - there are certainly plenty of those. Rather, this one is for learning how to make the best use of Adobe's latest "enhancements". Highly recommended!