28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Timely and accurate overview., May 19, 2010
This review is from: Photoshop CS5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)
This book is a very good introductory overview of the CS5 version of Photoshop. It is a wide overview of the program, aimed at a wide audience of users who are familiar with the program (or not); users who are photographers of different levels and/or designers (professional or otherwise). With a spectrum such as this, there is little choice but to only touch the surface of each program tool, feature, menu item, filter, procedure, technique, and so on. This book does so admirably.
It touches on almost every subject you might like to get an introductory explanation about, gives you the basic guidelines for use, what to do (and not), options, applicable settings and choices, and helpful illustrations or screen shots on every single page. It is a manual, not a review. It doesn't evaluate the features, only tells you how to use them.
The book probably assumes this is the first time you use Photoshop and that CS 5 is your first version. It doesn't treat "new CS 5" features separately, it simply takes you on a thorough and detailed tour of the current incarnation of Photoshop and, where something is new or changed, a yellow "new in CS 5" icon appears on the margin of the general narrative. This icon, is in addition to the usual iconography of the "for dummies" book like "warning," "tips," etc.
As a fairly competent Photoshop user for just over ten years but a first-time owner of the "Extended" version, I found his introduction to the features and capabilities of this version to be very helpful. The book is well indexed, so I had no difficulty in locating the particular new features I wanted to learn more about. In the process, I ended up reading and learning new things about old features. I found his method of turning a photo into a line drawing much better than the one I'd been using and his sections on using tablets and his top ten tips & tricks very interesting.
There is something for everyone here, which is both a plus and a minus. Whether you want to use Photoshop to make your photos the best they can be; or you want to work with text; or create special effects; or turn your photos into art or create art from scratch; start working with HDR or shooting in RAW; or perform any of the myriad functions of which Photoshop is capable this book will help you get started. It won't go into depth into any of them. Once you know what your needs are or what you want to learn more about, you should get a book which covers your particular needs in depth and detail.
Which brings me back to the first line of my review: This book is a very good introductory overview of the CS5 version of Photoshop.
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not a good photoshop CS5 resource, August 25, 2010
This review is from: Photoshop CS5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)
Poorly written and skips many steps when describing how to do various things. You will quickly get lost trying to do what the book suggests. The author is apparently tired and did not take the time to actually work through each step. This book IS NOT FOR ANYONE WHO IS A NOVICE OR BEGINNER. In fact it is so poorly written I would not recommend it to anyone. A MUCH BETTER book is by Jennifer Smith and the AGI Creative Team Adobe Photoshop CS5 Digital Classroom. That may one of the best books written on this issue as you can watch the video for each chapter and then go through the chapter trying everything. In the end you will completely understand each thing that she is teaching you. Turned out to be a good review and I learned a few better workflow steps. For more advanced issues I utilize Martin Evening Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers. Don't waste your money on this Dummies book or you will be one.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Photoshop CS5 for DUMMIES, September 13, 2011
This review is from: Photoshop CS5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)
This book has been a great find for me not knowing that much about Photoshop I have been able to learn alot that I would have had to go to school for if I didn't have this book. I would say that this is worth the time to read and learn about Photoshop and the things you can do with it. Very pleased with the book.
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