Customer Reviews

Photoshop Elements 4 One-On-One

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

 

 

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.

'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

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.

I'm new to Photoshop Elements. Photoshop Elements 4 is my first so I have no background with version 3. Photoshop Elements One-on-One is an outstanding introduction and how-to manual to Elements 4. It starts off with basics and builds on them to some fantastic things that can be done with your photographs. It covers the things like correcting poor shots to being creative. You really shouldn't need another book to learn how to work with Photoshop Elements 4.

Having already studied two other excellent Elements 4 books, I was skeptical about the benefits of owning a third. However, the reviews of "One-on-One" enticed me into making another very wise investment. Wow! The high-definition DVD lessons and the quality printing in the book, combined with really cool hands-on editing projects and an absolute wealth of useful information, well exceeded my expectations. Deke McClelland really knows his stuff and conveys it extremely well using a high quality, in-depth novel approach.

Each of the top Elements 4 training manuals provide "unique" techniques, perspective, and practical applications that differ from one another, as well as place different emphasis on the key topics in varying depths. No one book covers all you need to know to become proficient. Due to this fact and the complexity of Photoshop Elements 4, plan on spending as much on training manuals as you do to obtain the relatively inexpensive software. And most definitely, include Elements 4 "One-on-One" in your arsenol of learning tools.

I have bought numerous books on Elements 4.0 and this is the first one that I really like. Great examples and step by step instructions in the book on advanced features.

I am only a third of the way through this book, but already I have learned a lot about how to use Elements 4. I have used the program for several months and previously used Elements 2 and Elements 3 and didn't realize how little I understood about getting the most from its features. The workbook format, video and lesson files to download are very useful for learning by doing, a far better way to learn than by simply reading. Highly recommended.

This book has been very helpful to me in learning to use Photoshop Elements 4. The lessons are given in a systematic way and Deke walks you through each one. He provides photographs for you to work with that match the pictures in the book so it is easy to compare your products with his. He integrates directions and keyboard shortcuts in all the activities so you learn a variety of ways to access the tools you want naturally and spontaneously. I use the book all the time and learn more each time I repeat an activity. It is a great reference for when I'm trying to do something with my own photographs. The only thing I don't like is he doesn't always explain why you are doing what you are doing and I can't always intuit what it is that tool is specifically best at doing. I wish he would clarify the tools' uses more directly.

The first self study course on Photoshop Elements that really delivers. I was only going to read and do one or two of the lessons, but now I am going back and doing them all. The included DVD/Video is great and full of tips. Over two hours of instructions. Deke McClelland does a super job with the written lessons and the video.

There's so much to like about this book - but what stands out is that the book doesn't cover everything possible. It goes into everyday situations that a normal Photoshop Elements user would run into like sharpening an image, or separating the foreground from the background. Each such task is lavishly illustrated in full color - and explained in small steps that will help you get through these tasks quick. Also, details are not skipped - all through the book you'll find "Pearls of Wisdom" that explain why a particular option works in a particular way. The DVD is amazing - two hours of high definition video that's anchored by the author himself.

Geetesh Bajaj/Indezine.com