Customer Reviews

Photoshop 6 Photo-Retouching Secrets

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

(...) JUST A FEW OF MY FAVORITE TUTORIAL CHAPTERS INCLUDE...

Cloning Tips and Tricks — I loved the tutorial where Scott totally clones out a young woman sitting on the grass in front of a barn. He literally removes her and rebuilds the fence slat-by-slat, and plants new grass where she was sitting. When he gets done with the retouching you can't even tell anyone was sitting there or that the barn was not built that way originally. (Most of us have cloned, but there are a few tricks to be learned to make the finished product look more authentic.)

Digital Plastic Surgery — Digitally perform surgery. Learn how to remove aging wrinkles, repair a crossed-eye with a normal eye, give a young woman a nose-job, brighten yellowed teeth, remove braces, blemishes, red eye, and more.

Repairing Damaged Images — This chapter was of special interest to me as I had take a bunch of pictures about a year ago. The batteries were going in my digital camera, and I did not realize this, until I looked at the pictures and there were horizontal line covering the entire photo. It almost looked like venetian blinds. Had I had this book I could have saved the images instead of having to delete them because of the imperfection.

-- Here you will find four tutorials.

How to Clean Up LineArt — The best part of this chapter was to learn how to turn any graphic — whether it is a photograph or a Photoshop image that you created earlier — into LineArt. I completely changed the look of graphic images I created more than a year ago to look like brand new original creations. What a find this is. To me, this was worth the price of the book.

Other Retouching Dirty Tricks — This chapter is a catch-all for all the tutorials which do not fall under any specific category. Learn how to:

- Bring back lost color in the shadows of a photo Create a Polaroid effect out of a digital photograph or image, by creating a border around the photo and/or image, and them making it curl as if it was sitting on a table — with a shadow on the table

- Create a glamour photo effect, by making the photo look soft and dreamy, and a little blurry

- Create motion effects to backgrounds

Create a background vignette effect — This one is cool, instead of removing the background of the image as is done traditionally in a vignette, the background is kept in and put in a blurred state.

- Add starbursts — I always wondered how to do this

- Change color quickly — Another cool trick. Change the color of an item or part of one in a photograph or image on a whim

- Photo-Collaging Techniques — What would any book be without at least a few tutorials about using the layer mask feature to create a collage or to add an object to an existing photograph or image and make it look like it was there originally. Here you will learn both techniques.

MY MOST FAVORITE CHAPTER

In the work that I am doing with my Judaic Greeting Cards and Graphics, and my newly created World Trade Center Tribute Greeting Card site, the chapter *How to Clean Up LineArt,* has been the most exciting, inspirational, and invaluable. I have always wanted to know how to take an ordinary image and/or photograph and turn it into LineArt. I had no idea this feature would open up so many creative doors to me. To me... this *one chapter* was *worth the price of the entire book.* I took some of my original images, created last year, and followed Scott's instructions. In seconds I was able to change the images so dramatically/drastically — by turning them into LineArt — that I was able to use them this year as new originals. I kid you not! From the time I learned how to convert to LineArt, everything I work on I try to change to LineArt — Just to see if I can. Sometimes, I can't... but most of the time I can. And what fun it is when I can!

What I find so intriguing about Scott's books is they are created in easy to understand language. Each tutorial comes with step-by-step instructions, with an abundant amount of companion illustrations. No guessing here. His books are created in the same easy manner with which he teaches in person. As a visual learner these books are for me! (I suggest, if a Photoshop Seminar Tour comes to your city, you take the time to attend — Whether you are an individual or a company, this is a MUST! You will NOT be sorry you did. I attended the one in July in NYC, and I still can't get over the excitement of seeing what can be created in a matter of minutes with the right skills, knowledge, and just a little bit of imagination.)

THE BOOK'S PHYSICAL FEATURES INCLUDE:

- Color and black and white examples
- Large screen shots of images, photos, and dialog boxes
- Readable text in dialog box screenshots — most important feature
- Heavy paper stock — I used a yellow high-lighter to mark a specific passage and it did not go through to the other side.
- Easy to follow step-by-step directions, and descriptions
- Novice to professional accommodated in one book
- A huge mix of feature tips and tricks -- Something for everyone

I cannot find anything wrong with this book -- I am truly a believer in Scott Kelby's style of teaching. (Anything or anyone that makes my life easier, and inspires my imagination is a welcome resource to me.)

IN SUMMARY:

If you are serious about learning Photoshop, I suggest you get this book ASAP. Don't waste a second of your creative time! When the book arrives, work through one tutorial or chapter a day, or just thumb through and use it for the features you need to know at the moment. It's your choice! No matter how you use the book, you will find that you have learned more than you ever dreamed possible. You will have learned a multitude of cool tricks, program shortcuts, and well as keyboard shortcuts — for Mac and Windows — and how to use these tricks to enhance your ordinary everyday functions, images, and/or make them into new designs in a matter of seconds, or minutes -- Think of the time you will save coming up with completely new designs! The possibilities are endless, as it is just you and your imagination.

This book is a clean, concise and meaty work of art. How's that for an opener? By clean, I mean that the presentation is not cluttered with too many words or unnecessary asides. Graphics are only what's necessary, large and clear. The process flow is exact and each tutorial is full of the type information I look for. Needless to say, I like this book very much.

As a proud owner of Scott Kelby's "Photoshop Down and Dirty & Tricks", I was anticipating another gem coming from Scott's laptop. I was not disappointed. "Photo Retouching Secrets" covers material that can also be used in non-photo related graphics. If you have a damaged photograph this is the place to come for assistance. As the back cover says, "...No boring chapters...just how to repair, enhance, and retouch photos like a pro!" I think if I read enough of Scott's books I'll become a Photoshop pro.

From Cloning Tips to Digital Plastic Surgery, from Getting Your Color on Track to Photo-Collaging Techniques you will find what you need. Add to this dozens of good down and dirty tricks along the way and you'll have a Photoshop adventure. Folks, Photoshop is truly amazing and in the hands of a guru it becomes a magic show. Scott may not like the title of guru, but I thought that "The Grand Potentate of Photoshop" was a bit much.

Scott is so good with Photoshop that I wonder sometimes are those real pictures of him on the book covers. Regardless of whose picture that it is, I recommend you buy his newest book and have some learning fun. Once again, thank you Scott Kelby for your time and efforts in producing another permanent tool in my Photoshop toolbox.

As a member of the NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals), I was already familiar with the great work of Scott Kelby. I eagerly looked forward to the release of this book and I must say I was not disappointed. True to Scott's style of teaching, this book is easy to follow, contains skills you want to learn and has very appropriate artwork throughout.

Several of the reviewers have mentioned the quality of the images contained in the book. I have to admit that when I first looked at the book, I thought "What? These are old photos in bad condition. Why don't these look like stock photography images?" Then I thought about it and realized - that's the point. I know from experience that the most challenging and frequently occurring photo-retouching projects are usually bad images that contain many problems like color fading, scratches, tears, etc. I think Scott knew this was the case and used images that are worse case scenario so you could see the difference his techniques make even on really bad photos! That to me was important because it made me realize how really good his techniques are since they even made some bad images look a lot better!

Some of the flesh tones in the book are a bit on the orange side. I think it was the printing process. Regardless, the layout of the book and the lessons contained within it are top notch and well worth purchasing!

This book is meant for people with an intermediate to advanced knowledge of Photoshop 6. If you are a beginner, this doesn't mean you cannot buy the book, but I warn you that you might want to get a grip of the basic functions of Photoshop before you tackle this subject matter. It is easy to get overwhelmed when you use this program because it does SO many things.

The book contains the following techniques (in parenthesis is the number of lessons in each category): CLONING (4), INCORRECT EXPOSURE (2), DETAILING (1), SHADOW CORRECTION (4), SHARPENING (1), DIGITAL PLASTIC SURGERY (9), REPAIRING DAMAGED IMAGES (7), COLOR ADJUSTMENT (6), CROPPING & STRAIGHTENING (6), WORKING WITH GRAYSCALE (6), CLEANING UP LINEART (5), SPECIAL EFFECTS (6), COLLAGING (5) and STUDIO & ADVERTISING TECHNIQUES (5).

Once I got into the Photoshop 6.0 program, I began to drown. I've spent over 200 bucks collecting a variety of how-to-do-this-with-Photoshop books. All of them are sort-of readable and relevant to some degree.

Scott Kelby's approach in Photo-Retouching Secrets is the most Earth-bound approach. He is the author of many of the books on the basics of digital retourching...here, he goes straight for what I needed...step by step to do this or that. How do I shine up someone's teeth or get rid of a pimple or bring out a grayed photo? He is very impressive how little he asks me to understand about the technical stuff and how much he can get me to act like a pro.

Scott, you are super. Thanks. --marv

I have this book and I find that it is excellent for retouching tips and tricks. I too have seen Scott live and on several of his Photoshop videos so I knew that the book was just what I needed. I was not disappointed.

I'm kinda baffled by the comments about image quality because my copy of the book is just great. It shows the images I need to see quite clearly and I can follow the directions with the excellent step-by-step guidance.

For all the money I've made and time I've saved by following Scott's teachings (including techniques in this book) I'm just glad I don't have to pay royalties to Mr Kelby... I owe him alot!

I'd even venture to say that this book is worth many times the cover price to just about anyone who retouches pictures using Photoshop.

I bought Scott Kelby's Photo-Retouching book for Photoshop 7 and then looked at the sample chapters in this book. I realized that this book covers information that the other one doesn't and ordered this book as well. There is more overlap than I expected between the two books, but I am not sorry I bought both.

Everything good I said about the other book is true of this one as well. The instructions are easy to follow. He gives the keyboard commands for both Mac and PC. You can dip in anywhere so you can fix the photo you own without reading any earlier chapter, although in this book it might be useful to read the ones just before and just after the chapter you need for additional useful information. And, if you can follow the pictures, you CAN be successful.

I only give this book a 4 star rating because it is a Photoshop 6 book. Everything will work in Photoshop 7, and I haven't seen any major differences in the two versions of the program that will require figuring out work arounds for the instructions in the book. But, of course, anything that is new in Photoshop 7 is not covered in this book

Earlier, I expressed my review of this excellent book with comments about the binding. Publisher New Riders are paying attention. They contacted me, replaced the book in a most gracious manner. The binding in the replacement is industry standard in all respects, as are those of other New Rider books I own. I would now give this book 6 stars were it permitted. It is gratifying to find a publisher as good as their authors.

I loved the quick tricks in this book and since my memory is horrendous, I kept it by the computer to flip to when I was at my wits end. From fixing wrinkles to fixing nose, the chapter on digital plastic surgery was worth the price and now my relatives are better looking than ever.

I really liked Scott Kelby's "Down and Dirty" Photoshop book, so I thought I'd better get this. It's excellent as well. It's rather a slim book, but packed full of good information.

It does have some very basic stuff in it (like using the clone stamp) but it has more advanced/intermediate information in it as well. I learned some exciting new Photoshop techniques the first time I opened the book! It is an excellent book to thumb through while you are in front of your computer. Lots of good advice, and fun easy tips!

This book would be *excellent* for the beginner/intermediate Photoshop user, who wants some "instant results" to some common problems and challenges. (I cannot speak for the more advanced Photoshop user, since I'm not one!) But certainly, a less experienced user will find MUCH to help them in this book.

I consider it to be a great companion book to one of the larger, more comprehensive "Bible"-type Photoshop books. I don't feel it would in any way replace one of those kind of books, though. But it will give many people some great new ideas, and give them a "jump start" if they feel they are stagnating in their Photoshop knowledge!

Another great thing about this book (as well as the "Dirty Secrets" book) is that it introduces the user to new tools, techniques, keyboard shortcuts, etc., while in the process of going through the tutorials. You may *think* you are just learning one specific "trick" or technique, but you end up taking away some fabulous new Photoshop techniques that you will use in other areas. You will find that this book will expand your understandng of Photoshop in ways you didn't expect!

The instructions are easy to understand, and the illustrations helpful. The writing is written in an easy, friendly manner, which makes it an accessable book for any user.

I think I can simply sum this one up like this:

If you think the Photoshop "wow" books are absolutely your cup of tea and are great, then this book is a clear sure-fire winner for you.

If you think the Photoshop "wow" books are trickery and contain a few things worth picking out of a bunch of stuff you'll never use, and maybe you think you'd like to get deeper into the art of retouching instead of a quick-tip book, then skip this one entirely.

Personally, I got a few good pointers out of here, but I'd take Katrin Eismans book on PS Restoration & Retouching over this one. But again, I prefer that type of approach, some of you might prefer Scott Kelbys, especially is you are more the amateur to advanced amateur and not really interested in the finer points of this subject. It really does depend on what exactly your intent is (whether to just get quick tips or actually learn how to retouch.)

Somewhat recommended, dependent on goals.