Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 Maximum performance, November 26, 2006
The parts of the book I have looked at in detail are in most part written in a clear style with excellent examples. However, this could have been a wonderful book for potential users of varied experiences except for the periodic "glitches" where some directions are obtuse as the writer overestimates the knowledge of the reader. Moreover, there are some mistakes, all that can be very frustrating and serve as time consuming "road blocks". For example, it is impossible to follow the directions for setting-up "Maximum Performance Actions" (Page XVII) because the file is titled E5MP_Actions in the book and it should have been entitled MP5_Actions, which is on the disc. Search as one may, E5MP_Actions cannot be found. Moreover, some file names that the users are directed to are not exactly the same as in Elements 5, again making a user have to think a bit. In addition, one finds some directions to be wrong. For example, P. 20, the user is directed to use "Unsharp Mask" by going to the Filter menu and look under the "sharpen submenu". It is not there but is in the Enhancement Menu. In Photoshop CS2, it is in the Filter menu. All of the above kinds of problems detract greatly from what could have been an outstanding book. It has the appearance of having been rushed into print. I will still use the book to help me learn Elements 5, but I would not recommend it to a novice.
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the Intermediate to Advanced digital photographer, this is an outstanding guide..., March 9, 2007
To be perfectly candid, the people that rated this book poorly either didn't read it or watch the videos, didn't work through the lessons, or were simply beginners who needed to start with a book more closely targeted at their knowledge level.
NOTE: The rating on the back of the book puts it in the Intermediate to Advanced category, and this is accurate.
I wanted to be able to do professional-level digital image editing in PSE5, and I found that this book filled that need perfectly. It's definitely not a book for beginners, as it assumes that you are familiar with all the basic digital imaging terminology and standard photographic concepts.
On the other hand, I'd never used Photoshop or Elements before, and I found that I was able to work through the various exercises rather easily. I didn't even notice the few typos cited by other reviewers, but then in most instances I used my own images while going through the lessons, prefering to learn the concepts and techniques, but not follow each and every direction to the letter.
One thing that I really liked about this book, is that it doesn't waste time on any of the cutesy functions available in PSE5 (like scrapbooking, etc.). A few reviewers comment as though this is one of those books that goes through every single function in the program - "the missing manual". Make no mistake, this book ONLY teaches you how to perform the kind of truly professional-level non-destructive editing functions that normally require the full photoshop program. The author does a great job at this IMO, and the way I see it, I can now perform ALL necessary and desired editing on my digital images, for about 1/10th the price of the full PS program. Yes, PSE has built in limitations, but the author makes a point of showing you techniques that sidestep, eliminate, or limit the impact of these to where they cease to be problems. For instance, PSE5 doesn't provide Curves as an adjustment layer, but the author shows you several methods for gaining at least as much control over curves as the standard toolset provides CS2 users, in a similar non-destructive manner.
In less than a week of 'playing' (learning), I was getting great real-world results with my images, and was having a blast going back to my original files and seeing just how much more quality I could coax out of them...which was considerable. And if I someday outgrow PSE (or win the lottery) and get a nutty desire to upgrade, the techniques and concepts taught in the book are directly applicable to the industry standard software tool.
The last thing I'll mention that made this an outstanding resource, were the videos on the DVD. All in QuickTime format, they cover absolutely every project in the book, and it's really an effective teaching tool to have as an adjunct to the text. Several reviewers commented that they got lost during the lessons. If you somehow get lost during the lesson, and watching and hearing it done on screen *right in front of you* doesn't fill your clue bag, then evidently you need to start with a book that targets the basics first.
I thought the book and DVD were terrific, and were a bargain at the price I paid. If you have a similar outlook, expectations, and experience level as I've described, I'm sure you'll be thrilled with this book. Cudos to the author.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Book Is Great !!, December 9, 2006
I recommend this book!!!!
Any serious amateur or weekend photographer looking for someone or something to show you how to get the most out of your photography should get hold of this book.
Good photography and retouching moved away from "one-click" operations a long time ago and this book appeals because it takes you beyond that and into a new realm of new techniques and applications. I have had previous versions of Photoshop Elements and now this book opens it up to really fine tune my photography.
There's so much information supplied in the book and DVD including Quicktime movies (about 5gig) showing the "elements" process in full working order. Just watch the video and pause as you go through it, whilst you work on the author's, or on your own shots. The techniques and the way they are conveyed are first class. It couldn't be easier for the reader to extend their knowledge and skills in retouching to become a "guru" without spending the massive dollars to buy Photoshop CS2. And it comes with the full resolution images also. I haven't found any other book that offers this much insight and information. Try combining the techniques too. It's brilliant, a masterpiece! Landscape and people photos take on a new appeal. I had no trouble understanding this book.
This book rocks because it shows how to get professional results out of your photography, on a program that your whole family can easily use.
If you want to transform you photos into amazing award winners without spending the big dollars and time learning the full version of Photoshop and you've learnt the basics of Elements then I suggest you buy this book!.
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