Customer Reviews

Photoshop in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you haven't used Photoshop before, this isn't the book for you. It (thankfully) assumes that you have a decent grasp of the software. I've used Photoshop for four years, and I thought I knew all there was to know -- but this book showed me how foolish I was! Photoshop is one of the most twisted, convoluted, and counter-intuitive programs ever. This book knows it, and presents the most complete and organized item-by-item descriptions I have ever seen. The Common Uses section puts every tool and command into its right context. The Common Errors clarified many mistakes that until now I had no idea how to address (it's like the author had been looking over my shoulder). The Special Notes section is filled with life-saving tidbits. Any of the step-by-step items in the 100-page Techniques Appendix is worth the price of the book alone. True, there are many, many cross-references ("to do this, see this, but to do that, see that...") But that's how Photoshop works! You can't do one thing without knowing another! Anyone looking for an easy way out should stick to their old MacPaint program. Anyone looking for serious, hardcore info should buy this book. Highly recommended.

(From Amazon.co.uk) 6 crowns! Not really a Photoshop fan, me! As a web-designer I don't need the power (whatever the "cleverer" folk tell you!). I come from PhotoPaint and there is one big problem - lack of decent "look-up" literature! This book is good enough to make me a convert!

Detailed descriptions of all functions, menu by menu (tutorials kill me), is what I need next to my keyboard when a deadline is making me sweat - and this book provides it all! Not for beginners, but then neither is Photoshop (and if you're sensible get Paint Shop Pro to learn imaging, then switch). Like other books in the Nutshell series, this is comprehensive, to the point and ONLY! a few hundred pages (not 1301) - a real desktop reference. I'll keep you posted if I DON'T find something in it ;-)

Highly recommended for users familiar with Photoshop or other professional packages who know already what they are looking for and want to know where to find it - fast! If O'Reilly do a Nutshell on PhotoPaint I might switch back...

After buying >£30 books on Photoshop and lots of other computer subjects I've changed my mind on all those padded monsters - you don't need them. This book is simply the best Photoshop book I've seen. Its so handy I keep it right on my desk and dip in and out when I get stuck - which is often. There's so much information here written in a tight style and small font which I love. If you're a beginner then it probably isn't the best choice and Donnie O'Quinn's short, sharp and to the point method of writing (typical of O'Reilly books) is great for the intermediate/expert who doesn't want the hand holding just the good stuff. They should do more of these 'Nutshell' books they are simply all you need after you have some experience of the product.

(From Amazon.co.uk) Without a shadow of doubt, this is the best photoshop book of them all. A unique desktop reference and helpful guide in one. All tools and intricate features of photoshop are well documented. This book is not for a beginner but if you use photoshop on a daily basis, your bookshelf will be a healthier place with this addition.

The book "Photoshop in a Nutshell" contains a comprehensive reference to all operations of Photoshop 5. Every tool, every control and every menu item is described in detail. All dialog boxes are illustrated and all items explained.

This text is an excellent reference manual. It is very well written. The language is precise and to the point. Each chapter has a brief introduction of the covered feature set and some special notes. In most cases the authors provide a list of common errors on a per chapter or even on a per command basis. Very helpful.

I was not completely happy with the last part of the book that covers common techniques. Although the selection of techniques is rather useful, it is quite hard to follow them step by step. Too little information, cross-references and explanations are given here.

Overall the book serves it's purpose of a reference manual very well.

As a long time Photoshop user and professional digital artist, I have found that most Photoshop books spend more time relating little stories than telling you about Photoshop. Photoshop in a Nutshell does *NOT* teach Photoshop: that isn't the goal (if you want hand-holding, you need to look elsewhere!) It gives you the facts about every filter, menu, tool, and palette in the program. My only complaint: The copy that I looked at only covers Photoshop 4... is there an update for the new features in PS5?

I knew I was getting a reference guide and not a verbose book of lessons and such, and that's what I wanted. I want just to be able to look up what I want to do and get a quick explanation of it, without having to read a tome of design suggestions. Based on the reviews I read here, I thought that's what I was getting, and was relieved such a thing existed. But the descriptions aren't nearly clear enough. I am just starting out on Photoshop, though I can't imagine that any task that is unfamiliar to anyone would be easily learned from these descriptions. A description will commonly say, for example, "click on the ______," without even sayng where that thing can be found. I have to go searching for the tool it is presupposing I can find. If I could find it I wouldn't need the book. I looked up basics, cropping and resizing, things I think a person could have just told me about in a minute, but it became a search for the keys the book is telling me to click on. Pictures of the interface would be a huge help. I regret that this book isn't easier to use, it was such a good idea.

If you're trying to find information on an element or function of Photoshop, it is more than likely covered in this book. I've found this to be a valuable addition to my reference library...

Very helpful if you use or are learning to use Photoshop!

(from Amazon.co.uk): 6 crowns! Not really a Photoshop fan, me! As a web-designer I don't need the power (whatever the "cleverer" folk tell you!). I come from PhotoPaint and there is one big problem - lack of decent "look-up" literature! This book is good enough to make me a convert!

Detailed descriptions of all functions, menu by menu (tutorials kill me), is what I need next to my keyboard when a deadline is making me sweat - and this book provides it all! Not for beginners, but then neither is Photoshop (and if you're sensible get Paint Shop Pro to learn imaging, then switch). Like other books in the Nutshell series, this is comprehensive, to the point and ONLY! a few hundred pages (not 1301) - a real desktop reference. I'll keep you posted if I DON'T find something in it ;-) Highly recommended for users familiar with Photoshop or other professional packages who know already what they are looking for and want to know where to find it - fast! If O'Reilly do a Nutshell on PhotoPaint I might switch back...

I have been waiting since Photoshop 5 came out! I wish they would do books like this for all the programs I use. I *highly* recommend the one for Photoshop 4, and I am ordering the new one right now!