Customer Reviews

Photoshop CS2 Bible

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I couldn't tell which book was going to be the most useful, so I got 3 different books on Photoshop. After looking through each of them and doing some "tests" where I looked up the same subjects in all 3 books to see which author/s explained things better, it was a no-brainer -- the Photoshop Bible for CS2 is the best book on Photoshop out there. The other 2 went back, next day.

If you're someone who has to learn by doing, there are great examples you can follow. If you need step-by-step hand holding, there are procedures to follow. If you need to understand the concept in general before doing something, there's plenty of discussion of ideas and approaches. So any type of learner is covered here. The authors know their stuff and don't joke around forever and tell you all about how wonderful they are, they just tell you what's great (and even what's not so great) about Photoshop and how to make it do what you need it to do. I really recommend this book.

I looked into several Photoshop books before buying this one. I read the reviews, used the "search inside" stuff to read exerpts, and made my choice. Even with all that, buying books online can be a crapshoot - but this one paid off! This is a great book on Photoshop CS2. I've learned a lot already and keep this book right next to the computer so it's there when I need it. I like the style - not too jokey, not condescending - and the authors obviously know Photoshop like the back of their hands, including little things that you never even knew were there. The examples are practical but not oversimplified and the coverage of special effects, web graphics, and restoring photos is great. I'm sold, and recommend this book highly.

My copy must be from the second printing (if there really was a problem with the first run, as another reviewer indicates) because there's no problem with any of the images in my copy. Not only do the images match the text, but the text is thoroughly understandable and enjoyable to read. I haven't bought a Photoshop Bible in a few versions, but I'm glad I got this one. The authors know their stuff and really seem to enjoy sharing it with their readers. It's not all "Wow Photoshop's great!", though, because if a feature isn't what you'd expect or doesn't do what you want easily, the authors tell you and give you good workarounds. Unlike some books on Photoshop, the authors don't seem to be on Adobe's payroll. I recommend this book to all users, because in the 1000+ pages, there's something for everyone. There's foundation stuff for new or self-taught users and plenty of depth for experienced users. Great book.

Between the thorough coverage and the authors' insights, this book can't be beat. I'm a photographer and graphic designer, and I wouldn't consider living without this book by my side in the studio. I don't want to have to take a class, watch a video, or wade through lots of personal commentary. I want to know what something does, how it works, why it's a useful tool/feature (or not, and if not, what to do), and then get back to work. This book is filled with great tips, useful tricks, honest, clear instructions, and great examples. If you can't tell, I recommend this book!!

Overall the PS Bible books have been very good. This one is also.

HOWEVER...There was a problem with the 1st printing of this book. Some of the examples do not entirely or accurately portray what the accompaning text is saying. For instance, a figure that is supposed to show transparency/opacity shows just as a solid color. So you may be scratching your head reading some text and looking at the figure it is referring too and wondering what the heck they are saying.

I contacted the publisher and they conducted an investigation. They deterimined that there was indeed an 'issue' with the printing and they will note this for further printings of it.

If you follow the text as described you will have the results as intended. I still recommened the book. Just keep in mind you may have to rely more on what your reading in some cases then what you are seeing...or wait for the next printing and hope it comes our right.

You won't be disappointed if you purchase this great reference!

Not only did the book impress me, but so did the help that I received from Laurie Ulrich Fuller, one of the authors. When I had a couple of questions, I sent her an email. Usually one has to wait for quite a while to receive a reply if they even do receive a reply. With Laurie I received a reply in less than 24 hours! She was friendly and didn't seem to mind answering my questions. How wonderful it is to find someone willing to help you. No matter how good a book is, it really makes a book outstanding when you can get responses to any questions that that may come up. It keeps one from feeling frustrated.

I rate the book TOPS!

The Photoshop CS2 bible basically harnesses all there is to know about Photoshop. Both Deke and Laurie explain each aspect in a very quick and easy to understand manner. Where this book starts off is where most Photoshop books ignore, this is of course "What Photoshop is". For most it may seem like an old theory, but there really is a lot of valuable info packed in that chapter.

The book is broken in to sections that focus on a specific use "Colors, Brushes, etc..". Having the book in this format allows the reader to jump in at a certain point instead of forcing them to hunt for the information they require. A smaller portion is the fact they even added the keyboard shortcuts for both Mac and PC. Rounding out this book the reader will understand the process of customizing Photoshop which includes combos and menus.

Overall this book is for a beginner to Photoshop or an advanced user that is looking to get up to speed on how the "Pro's" are doing things.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that has even a marginal interest in how to get things done in Photoshop.

The paperback edition (with the yellow cover, so it's clear which book I'm reviewing) covers everything --- all the new CS2 features and tools --- I checked my copy!! The coverage is really effective, very enjoyable to read, technically complete, and has excellent examples. The really good thing is that the authors share their experience and opinions and let you know which tools you will love, which ones don't really do what you'd expect or what Photoshop implies (but the tools are explained anyway, along with tips for making them do cool things). They also tell you how to use a lot of the tools and filters and color/light correction features in combinations you might not have thought of on your own. I learned a ton about the filters (new ones and ones that I know have always been there) and I have already made some great images as a result of what I learned. It's a really great book, and I recommend it to any photographer, graphic artist, web designer, or anyone who uses Photoshop for any purpose. There's something for everyone and you'll absolutely come to rely on this book.

Who said that one book can't contain all information about Photoshop CS2? That person just never had "Photoshop CS2 Bible" by Wiley Publishing.

This book is really amazing. But, please, don't die down when you see this book. Yes, it's big, yes it's thick, but it has everything, absolutely everything that you wanted, want or would love to know about Photoshop CS2.

Take a look at content and you will see everything that waits you ahead in this book. But, again, please, don't get heart attack and just remember - don't cry out before you heart. It contains a lot of information, but this book will really help you in any way that you can imagine.

I work with Photoshop from 4th version (and Photoshop CS2 is 9th) and even i discovered new things from this book. It's very hard to describe all interesting things that you will find in this book, but i will give it a shot. In couple of words you will get acquaintance with painting & brushes, filling & stroking, selections, masks, filters, corrective filters, masking, extractions and much, much, much more.

If you intend to get close with Photoshop, then my advice to you is to keep you copy of "Photoshop CS2 Bible" always near you computer. For a couple of weeks i was intensively worked in Photoshop and every time i needed to remember smth of find information quick - this book never let me down. And it will not let you down.

From this book you will take only the newest and most up-to-date information, that was very carefully organized is topic chapters, on pages you will also find very useful print screens and clear explanation of every subject.

Let's also face the fact that not all people who read that sort of a books are real English-speaking people, so people who are not native English will be also surprised how easy they can read and understand information in it. This book is wrote with very simple language and is apprehensible for absolutely everybody.

Also some very small but helpful pull-quotes are presented for your attention as cautions, notes, tip, cross-references and, of cause, new features. In last one explains an options, commands, that is new or have differences from previous version of program. This book also contains 32 pages of full-color examples that highlights the most important moments that you will use in your work.

I know that many Photoshop users are trying to avoid such features as brushes, because from first glance they seems very complicated, but just read Part II: Chapter 5 and you will see that there is nothing complicated. All you need is just a bit of practice and improvisation- because brushes can be used for much more than simply painting with brush tool and can be absolute godsend in your everyday image-editing tasks.

Remember, different pictures call for different solutions, so just take this amazing book (or buy it), take a deep breath and go ahead - you will be wondered how simple and easy it really is, just a bit a patience and you can do everything you want or dreamed about. Enjoy!

This is a very good book, I learned a lot from it, if you use adobe photoshop, or any software, you know the value of a good manual. It is a lot better than the adobe photoshop help.
To me it was well worth the money.