129 of 133 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast paced, but deeply informative, December 8, 2005
This review is from: Photoshop Elements 4 One-On-One (Paperback)
O'Reilly is a quality publishing company. You really can't go wrong with them. And this book holds that tradition. The text is tight. The example images are great. The design is innovative. The topics are covered thoroughly. And it shares that with the other O'Reilly book on the topic; Photoshop Elements 4 The Missing Manual.
What stands out with this book is the depth in the description of how each feature works. Filters in Photoshop are complex, and understanding how they work will help you use them more effectively. This book does a better job explaining the function of the filters.
That being said, this book is faster paced than the Missing Manual book. If you understand the basics and are looking for some deeper material, I would pick this book. If you are looking for an introduction I would pick the Missing Manual.
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64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding Book By A Photoshop Guru, December 22, 2005
This review is from: Photoshop Elements 4 One-On-One (Paperback)
'Photoshop Elements 4 one-on-one' by Deke McClelland is simply an outstanding book cover to cover. O'Reilly has some really fantastic Photoshop references out there on the market and I highly recommend adding this gem to your shelf if you use Photoshop on a daily basis. Chock full of hundreds of color photos on high quality pages, this book is a fantastic bargain whether you are a Photoshop ELements newbie or an experienced pro. You can just sense the experience dripping out of this book as you follow along the examples that Deke has put together for you; it's as if you are in the classroom and you are the student right there, ready to soak up all the information that he is giving you!!
It's no secret that Photoshop is one of the most important pieces of software ever made, and it's also one of the most confusing to use and learn. With more math contained within than the 2005 class at MIT, Photshop can be a daunting program for many to use but the author makes the process of learning smooth and fun at the same time. A must-read book for any Photoshop user!
***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
SMILE! YOU'RE ON PHOTOSHOP!, July 7, 2006
This review is from: Photoshop Elements 4 One-On-One (Paperback)
Are you a student or an instructor working in a classroom or vocational setting? If you are, then this book is for you! Authors Deke McClelland and Galen Fott, have done an outstanding job of writing a practical manual that walks you through Photoshop Elements 4, just as if the authors were teaching you in a classroom environment.
McClelland and Fott, begin by explaining how to import and organize image files. Then, the authors examine the Quick Fix mode, which lets you correct the colors in an image by clicking buttons and adjusting slider bars. They also introduce you to the program's most capable color adjustment commands. Next, the authors examine ways to select a region of an image and edit it independently of other regions using the various selection tools along with a few menu commands. Then, they continue by exploring ways to crop, straighten, and resize digital photographs using a small but essential collection of tools and commands. The authors also explain how to use Photoshop Elements' paint, edit, and healing tools to brush color and effects into an image. Next, they explain how to modify the perceived focus of a photograph, apply effects filters, and apply free-form distortions. Then, the authors explore the many facets of building a layered composition in Photoshop Elements, from creation to navigation, from stroking to stacking order, from free-form transformations to four-point distortions, and, from applying blend modes to erasing backgrounds. They continue by showing you how to use Photoshop Elements text and shape tools, as well as ways to edit text and shapes by applying formatting attributes and transformations. Next, the authors explore the worlds of layer styles and adjustment layers, both of which enable you to modify an image composition without harming a single pixel in the original photographs. Then, they explain ways to share your images with other people, whether by printing or distributing the electronic files online. Finally, the authors show you how to use both the Organizer and Editor workspaces to assemble each of five kinds of creations.
In this most excellent book, the author has included over two hours of video instruction on the accompanying DVD. More importantly, every work file you need is provided on the DVD, so you can benefit from a true hands-on experience.
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