The Glitterguru on Photoshop: From Concept to Cool [Paperback]

Suzette Troche-Stapp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2003

Suzette Troche-Stapp, "the glitterguru", one of the most successful and sought-after photographers/digital artists today, has written the book she wishes had existed when she started working professionally. Here, she divulges her secrets culled from years of producing commercial digital art, from how to think about images, setting up images at photo shoots, retouching secrets, to composing an entire business package. She covers the entire process of image creation and development from start to finish (from concept to cool!). Reading this book is like shadowing Suzette throughout her career -- both from an art and business perspective. If you're on a professional path with Photoshop -- whether just starting or already on your way -- this book will inspire and educate you. The book is geared toward both photographers and digital artists and is chock-full of all the gems Suzette has learned along the way. Suzette's spunk combined with the eye-catching images and design make this book as fun and visually appealing as it is practical. Check out the sample material and you'll get the idea. glittergure on Photoshop: From Concept to Cool was the Winner of the Designer's Bookshelf award for Most Exciting New Photoshop Book

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you’re easily put off by purple pages festooned with hearts or photos of babies dressed like fairies, you might just miss out on this trove of practical advice on running a successful digital imaging business. All dolled up like a preteen’s diary, The Glitterguru on Photoshop may look flimsy at first glance, but the information within will benefit anyone who shoots images for major ad campaigns (or aspires to) and uses Photoshop for simple touch-ups or complex compositing.

It's clear that author Troché-Stapp knows her stuff. In addition to commanding five-figure fees for her work as a digital imager, she is a contributing editor for PEI (Photo Electronic Imaging) magazine, and, in her role as an advice columnist, she is familiar with the real world problems people face. Her book discusses how to work with clients on a concept, prep for the photo shoot, create the image, and deliver the finished work in a professional manner and the proper format. The real nitty-gritty of being a professional photographer/digital imager is covered here, from interviewing models and creating a Web site for your business, to estimating your fee.

Retouching tips include performing digital "cosmetic surgery" (like slimming down a thigh and adding voluminous hair) and using Photoshop’s adjustment layers, channels, and filters to achieve these affects. There's also lots of advice on seamlessly compositing backgrounds and props into images. The book ends with three case studies: a cover shoot for PEI; an image created to sell as stock; and a "portrait" of Troché-Stapp’s husband as a computer-chip-brained borg. Except for the above-mentioned tips, this is not a Photoshop how-to manual. It’s more of a supportive outline on how to earn a living from your Photoshop creations and it may be just be the pat on the behind your business needs. --Angelynn Grant

From the Back Cover

Suzette Troche-Stapp, "the glitterguru", one of the most successful and sought-after photographers/digital artists today, has written the book she wishes had existed when she started working professionally. Here, she divulges her secrets culled from years of producing commercial digital art, from how to think about images, setting up images at photo shoots, retouching secrets, to composing an entire business package. She covers the entire process of image creation and development from start to finish (from concept to cool!). Reading this book is like shadowing Suzette throughout her career -- both from an art and business perspective. If you're on a professional path with Photoshop -- whether just starting or already on your way -- this book will inspire and educate you. The book is geared toward both photographers and digital artists and is chock-full of all the gems Suzette has learned along the way. Suzette's spunk combined with the eye-catching images and design make this book as fun and visually appealing as it is practical. Check out the sample material and you'll get the idea. glittergure on Photoshop: From Concept to Cool was the Winner of the Designer's Bookshelf award for Most Exciting New Photoshop Book

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (October 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073571133X
• ISBN-13: 978-0735711334
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Creation to CASH, November 19, 2003

By 

L. Badten "Larry Badten" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Glitterguru on Photoshop: From Concept to Cool (Paperback)

After taking a few moments to break my testosterone-induced mental-block against the hearts adorning the pages of chapter one, I discovered a wealth of information not found elsewhere.

This is not a mechanical how-to book, with `click-here, click-there' instructions. Plenty of those already line the shelves.

This work is most definitely different; the author takes us on a journey through the creative processes, methods in set-up, shooting, and digital imaging as well as sharing the practical business skills used by one of Photoshop's leaders. This level of insight is rarely shared by elite insiders. The Glitterguru generously reveals the experience, insights and techniques employed to create unique art that demands top dollar. She then divulges the business savvy that turns these works into cash.

Pro or hobbyist, if you want to hone your skills in running a photo shoot, getting really creative with digital imaging, or making a living from these skills... buy this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but not on Photoshop, December 11, 2003

By 

Feeferlump "[e-mail]" (Henderson, NV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Glitterguru on Photoshop: From Concept to Cool (Paperback)

I found this book was very interesting, but that the title was misleading. "The Glitterguru on 'Photoshop'". If you are looking for a book on Photoshop, this is not it. There are some helpful hints, but very little to do with the actual electronic digital imaging program itself. It is a wonderful book on photography, setting up studio shots, preparing for a shoot, how to manage a business in this field, as well as a very small part on Photoshop. It is very helpful, not just for those looking to get started in photography, but for those in the business as well. They might pick up a few good pointers as while reading through.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More about Photography Business than Photoshop, January 29, 2004

By 

V. Maciulski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Glitterguru on Photoshop: From Concept to Cool (Paperback)

This book wasn't exactly what I expected, but I found it to be interesting anyway. It is more for the person who wants to do professional photography and/or serious retouching of photos for publications. Troche, aka the Glitterguru, gives diagrams on lighting set-ups for photo shoots and LOTS of info on retouching photos, including color photos for each example.

The author goes into detail about how freelancers get contracts for and produce images for various purposes. The chapter on pre-production tells you how to nail down the concept, create a shot list, gather your team, cast a model, get props, get storyboards to crew, doing lighting set-ups and test shots, etc. Sounds kind of like making a movie.

She also has a chapter of advice on how to deliver your finished product to clients. (RGB or CMYK, print or digital, etc.) And, there's a good section on the business of photography and digital imaging. It covers marketing, estimating a job, copyright issues and more. There is even information on how to deal with art directors and other creative types.

Suzette has a significant on-line presence at http://glitterguru.com/suzette/index.htm. You can find examples from the book on there.

If you are starting out in the business of photography or editing digital images, or are just thinking about it, this would be a good book to read. It will give you a look at what's involved, and advice on how to make money in the business.