Customer Reviews

The Glitterguru on Photoshop: From Concept to Cool

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The title is a bit misleading. When I got my hands on this book I thought I'd learn some cool techniques on retouching as well as how to add glitter and stuff in photoshop. Nope Sorry didn't learn how to add glitter in photoshop.
But what I did learn was this. The basic business of photography from the ground up, that's portfolios, talking to art directors all the way to delivery. That's great, but what if I've already read books on those topics and have experience in that? Well then you get a 100 pages of retouching tips... is it worth it? If you've never done retouching before, then yes. If you have, you might be reading the pages and thinking "hmm, theres a better way to do this". I don't say there can only be one way to do something, but I wanted to read a book on why I should retouch this way not how to do it. That let me down. However, I don't want to let that get in the way, just remember, this book teaches you a lot in just a bit more than 200 pages. It teaches you to be a commercial artist who knows how to deal with the business as well as get the job done. However, if you want something that takes you really really deep in these two topics, then this book isn't for you.

If you are looking for a definitive instruction book on portrait retouching, this is not the book. Readers will find the process of glamour retouching interesting: chopping inches off hips, transplating locks of hair, whitening teeth, etc. But there is not much hard information provided, only broad approaches. However, the book does provide a window into how the actual world of commercial glamour photography operates - including how art directors interface with photographers and retouchers. Troche-Stapp shows how she found a unique niche in a very competitive business. Worthwhile information for someone considering this venue as a career.

I spent a year going to school to become computer certified, only to leave with not having a clue as to what to do next. This book teaches you everything your teacher either did not know or would not tell you.

This book makes it quite clear how to put your ideas into concepts, how to get the job, handle the art directors, and even whom to hire. It also teaches you how to make beautiful images.

It is a one of a kind amazing book, and should be on everyone's shelf. It is not a point and click book, but an inspiring, creative book on how to put your skills to good use.

A must have book for anyone who want to know how to put there skills to work making money. Also great for any student to get their creative juices flowing. For that matter, anyone who just wants to know how make beautiful photos this is the book to have.

I won't lie, I bought this book mainly because of the chapter on preparing female bodies in a manner they like to be perceived. Several females in my life complain about looking fat, having extra flab on their bellies, etc. I was pleasantly surprised to not only receive exactly what I was after but also a wealth of other useful tips and tricks I never would have otherwise found. The author writes in a manner that is clear, concise, but also witty and humorous. While she does dabble into professional photo-shooting and set management techniques that don't really apply to me, I really feel like this book is an essential addition to the photoshop books I already have. I highly recommend this book.

This book is really nothing: not for Photoshop'ers, not for commercial photographers, not digital artists, not digital directs.. really for nobody.. if only you wanna watch pretty pictures for one time, cause don't think you would do it second time (and there is not much to watch at anyway).

I was thinking 2 years before i finally bought this book for 20$!!! It don't worse more then 10$ and only for quality paper. I read this book for 2 days - in total for 4-5 hours not really being in run.

Through all book i found only couple useful tips, but that's it. Nothing more. Couple of retouching tips - but very custom and you don't need to buy this book to find it out.

If you really wanna study retouching - there is one lady's book you need to buy - Katrin Eismann - he is goddess of retouching.

I liked very much last chapters - was laughing very very long. It calls "Advanced Technics" i think. In beginning of article she says smth like "I don't usually use filters", but all this kinda "Advanced techniques" she does using ONLY filter and don't even give alternatives of making it as digital designer. At that place i began have doubt about her real retouching knowledges.

I was even trying to find one of filter she recommended so much, but the only like was to her website, i guess only she knows about it existanse.

They she gives advices of how to attract attention to your work. Notice that book was written in 2003. "When i started...." (it was 80's-90's)... ehm... HELLO, LADY... it's new century... there is such things as spam filters and if you send from unknown address file with attached files, it usually goes to.... RIGHT.. SPAM!!!

But from other hand this woman takes 550$ for essential retouching for children, so she has good manager skills. Unfortunately, book is not about manager skills and about everything a bit, but really about nothing.

And even cover image is made from three and if you have 1 image and you wanna make it look cool - not this case.

In a nutshell... Suzette ROCKS! It's hard to find books that share this much info about the "big picture" of working in this business, but this book totally delivers and even includes some tangible "how-do's," especially regarding fashion image retouching (vs. photo restoration). My favorite part is that the files used in the book are available for low-res download so you can follow along with the examples. Be advised that the examples assume the reader is a moderately advanced user of Photoshop, and by no means include literal step-by-step instructions.

I love it and within the first hour or so I've have already learned enough to make it well worth the price! I look forward to the next one Suzette!

The book "the Glitterguru on Photoshop-From Concept to Cool", has a misleading title. At first glance I thought that this book would go through having a image that was marked up for correction and then go through what it would entail to complete those corrections. But I was pleasantly wrong about this. It does include this, but it includes how to work at the table with the Ad agency/Client to discuss the best shot angles, substitute shots, shooting for specific area of a single shot to be possibly composed at a later time.... the list goes on. And then it goes where I have yet to see any book go for the digital artist. How to decide what to charge the customer, what this should entail, and how to keep within that budget. Very valuable advise for the artist first starting out, even a few tips for a veteran like myself. This is a good addition to anyones arsenal of tools to bring oneself to the forefront of imaging.