Customer Reviews

Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy (Voices (New Riders))

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

 

 

Photoshop Studio is like a taking a ride with a Photoshop master for a few hours at a time, and learning the tricks of the trade. Bert Monroy does some really amazing things in Photoshop (and Illustrator), and guides you step by step on how he did it. From creating window blinds to creating handles on a photo-realistic filling cabinet, this book is filled with great pictures and easy to read language many Photoshop users will find useful.

(I should mention, though, that while you can create the great looking scenes Bert did in Photoshop, why would you want to? I mean, with 3D software so low in price today, you can get even more realistic graphics with a program such as Strata than you can with Photoshop. In MUCH less time. But Bert Monroy is an artist, and Photoshop is his tool, so this is more a practical thought on my end, and has no bearing on the quality of this book or the techniques applied therein.)

The book itself is well written, though I particularly enjoyed the beginning of the book in which the reader gets a glimpse of Bert÷s studio. I would die for a studio like that, let me tell you!

Photoshop Studio is as much a picture book, as it is a written one. On almost every page is a picture of what he is writing about, how to do it, and all in clear color. (And the screen snapshots all show Bert is using Mac OS X!)

Photoshop Studio is a class act. Well put together, well-written, and easy to follow. I enjoyed the time I spent with this book, and if you are into Photoshop, you will too.

MacMice Rating: 5 out of 5...

I bought my first Bert Monroy book, The Official Adobe Photoshop Handbook, back in 1991. Co-written with David Biedny, it was the bible for Photoshop version 2.0. Eleven years later, I have three Monroy titles on my bookshelf. Photorealistic Techniques with Photoshop and Illustrator (1999) which remains one of my all time favorites and now his latest, Photoshop Studio. Why do I find these books so valuable? Because the books are more than paper creations. They reflect insight and intellect. They are delivered in full color -- not just cold text -- and they offer the artist the proof that wonderful things can happen with the digitals tools now available. It is said that just knowing something is possible is half the battle of doing a difficult thing. Viewing Bert's examples lets you know that yes! it's possible and that you can go even further. More than just fancy pictures - there is information. Bert covers The Art of Brush Making, Lights and Shadows, Creating Textures, Reflections and more. As a working artist, I come to this book with expectations - and Monroy delivers. I recommend this book for the intermediate and advanced users of Photoshop 7. Beginners building a library of Photoshop resources would do well to add this to their shopping list.

I normally sell off older versions of books as I buy updated ones from the same authors since so much is repeated. With Bert Monroy that is NOT the case. If he wrote a book a week I would keep every one, but he would never do that unless he had something of substance to write about.

This book not only gives fantastic examples of how to use advanced illustrative techniques in Photoshop 7 but also goes into Illustrator techniques. What makes Bert's writing so important is he shares the things that make his own work stand out, and he shares it with the reader in a fun and easy style.

For instance, he suggests you always create paths in Illustrator. This gives you much more delicate and precise lines as opposed to the line tool in Photoshop which can never give you a line smaller then a pixel. Then, instead of placing or opening the path in Photoshop, he strongly recommends pasting between the two programs.

Here he is passing on a lesson that is so simple yet so powerful it will change the look of your work from this point forward. That is just Mr. Monroy's style.

Good luck in your future work, with this book by your side you will not need much luck though!
Leslie

Bert is a great artist and teacher. I took a class from him, and learned so much, but couldn't absorb it all at once. This book allows you to learn his techniques at your own pace, and will give you the confidence to start creating images from scratch in Photoshop, or add painting techniques to your image manipulation. Highly recommended for intermediate to advanced Photoshop users and all artists.

Of all of the Photoshop authors that are out there, I believe that none can surpass Bert Monroy when it comes to creating photo-realistic images. If you're new to Photoshop, this isn't the book for you. If you want to learn how to restore old photos this isn't the book for you. If you want to learn how to take your Photoshop experience to the next level in the area photo-realism or if you have been seeking a book that gets your creative juices flowing then just click the buy button now. Throughout this full-color coffee table style are beautiful illustrations plus enough detailed instruction that I was able to do them (and I assumed I would not be able to do most of them since I am not an "artist".) More than a book, Bert has produced an instant classic that we can only hope will see many future editions.

Bert Monroy is probably one of the most talented Photoshop users there is. If you've ever seen him on TechTV, you've seen how effortlessly he uses PS.

This book is full of amazing artwork Bert has done with Photoshop, along with a lot of tips and techniques from the master himself. You'll have a hard time believe that this book isn't just a collection of photos. Bert style is so photo-realistic it's jaw-dropping.

Definitely a must-have book for any PS enthusiast. Even if you don't plan to use PS for Photoreal artwork, there are techniques here that are applicable to other uses for PS but the book itself is worth the price just for the awe factor of Monroy's work.

This book will get your imagination going. Some great tips.

The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that there could have been more content.

This book is a phenomenal inspiration to those interested in photo-realistic effects. Bert has the unique talent of viewing the world around him and recreating that world in ones and zeros. Watch carefully, or one of these incredible digital works might fool you into thinking they are a photograph. I write Photoshop books and deal in digital effects daily... Bert sets the bar extremely high for those of us in the field. AND he is a heck of a nice guy to boot!

I found this book very useful, very well illustrated, as Bert Monroy describes his technics. He teaches methods that opened my mind to the power that Photoshop CS has. While he covers many aspects of the program he dos not indulge in the usual rehash of every photoshop feature, focusing on specific projects. His reputation for a graphics artist and teacher are well deserved. Wonderful examples, just enough detail to convey the point without beating you over the head. Included color photos are well laid out, his teaching method couldn't be better. The tone will particular instruct the novice or intermeadiate user, but everyone will find something of use here. If you are looking for blow by blow 'how to' for every feature, look at Photoshop CS Sudio Techniques, or the Adobe Class Room in a Book. I only wish this book had more samples, examples. If you can't buy it, hope your local libray has or will. Do this for its artistic voice.

Then this is the book for you! Bert Monroy shares techniques on how to create realistic digital paintings in Photoshop 7.0. This book has a wealth of information demonstrating techniques such as smoke blazing off a red stiletto shoe, weather precipitation such as fog hanging in trees and rain pouring down on buildings. In chapter 5 you will learn how to create weathered wood, bark on a tree and metal objects along with a host of other realistic textures. The chapters are well thought out and organized with corresponding screenshots throughout.

This book will best be served by the novice or intermediate user. Nonetheless, novice or expert you'll come away with a new fresh perspective on digital painting and an ability to express yourself in those paintings like never before.