Digital Photographer's Notebook: A Pro's Guide to Adobe Photoshop CS3, Lightroom, and Bridge, The (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: camera raw, smart object, file info, The Digital Photographer's Notebook, Press Command, Free Transform (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the world of digital photography, inspiration can come at any time. Great images are created behind the camera and then refined at the computer. “Photographers live in the moment when shooting, and I believe we do the same when in front of the monitor,” writes Kevin Ames, veteran photographer and Photoshop master. Building on his popular column in Photoshop User magazine, Kevin expands the scope of the original articles to include in-depth information about all aspects of digital photography. With this book, you’ll gain a focused yet thorough understanding of Adobe’s suite of digital photography applications–Photoshop CS3 (including the Camera Raw plug-in), Lightroom, and Bridge. You’ll not only learn what these powerful applications can do, you’ll also learn which one is best for a given task and see how the applications come together to allow you to work efficiently–all while creating and delivering stunning photographs. Whether dealing with workflow, organization, or truly creative enhancements, Kevin candidly shares his personal image-making process from start to finish. In addition, there are clear and illuminating explanations of many issues relevant to the digital photographer, such as the profound differences between RAW and JPEG, the many benefits of “shooting tethered,” and how lighting really works. Whether you’ve been shooting digital for years or you’re just making the switch from film, The Digital Photographer’s Notebook is an essential guide to managing your portfolio and creating head-turning photographs.

About the Author

Kevin Ames is president of Ames Photographic Illustration, Inc., a studio that specializes in commercial photography, retouching, and post-production services. Based in Atlanta, Kevin’s clients include Westin Hotels, AT&T, and Coca-Cola. A professional photographer for over thirty years, Kevin made the transition to the digital age in 1993. Equally masterful behind the camera and in front of the monitor, Kevin is a highly sought after trainer for both the photographic and the digital arts. His assignments, workshops, and seminars have taken him to art schools and conferences around the world. Find Kevin on the web at amesphoto.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press (September 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321358414
• ISBN-13: 978-0321358417
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #586,789 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Scattered Shot, September 19, 2007

By	Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is a collection of the author's columns from the magazine Photoshop User, which he has revised, updated and tried to put into a form that will provide continuity. Although most of the chapters are aimed at advanced users of Photoshop CS3, Lightroom and Bridge, the interest of a reader in any particular chapter will depend on the reader's own need.

The book begins with a discussion of Ames' technique for darkening an over-exposed sky of a picture that he took in Africa. Subsequent chapters deal with importing photos with Bridge, shooting tethered and lighting. The second and third sections of the book deal with the management of computer files including metadata, naming files, what the author calls "bulletproof archiving", Lightroom catalogs, adjusting color, Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom functions, creating web galleries with Lightroom and Photoshop, creating a PDF presentation with Photoshop and making a custom contact print. He finishes off by showing the way he uses Adobe software to create prints by montage, create black and white images, make a few glamour adjustments and adjust interior pictures.

In his discussions of Adobe software he uses the 4.1 version of Adobe Camera Raw and the 1.1 version of Lightroom. (There was no discussion of more recent updates, but the 4.2 version of Adobe Camera Raw and the 1.2 version of Lightroom appear aimed at fixing bugs in the software and not providing additional functions.) Unfortunately his discussions are just descriptive and don't go into details on applying the newest functions. Readers interested in using the new input sharpening tools to the maximum will either have to consult online gurus or read the late Bruce Fraser's book on image sharpening upon which the new tools are based.

I must confess that I was a bit misled by the subtitle's reference to Photoshop, Lightroom and Bridge. There is a crying need for information on the integration of this software, but there is little relevant information in this book.

On the other hand, I liked many of Ames' ideas. While he doesn't come out and say that folder names are not very important, given the ways to recover images available in asset management software like Lightroom, that inference was clear to me. I wish he had spent more time discussing key wording since that seems to me to be an essential part of the asset management process. His use of multiple Lightroom data bases will certainly provoke thought. I know his suggestions saved me a lot of time in archiving in just the last week.

Still, the basic question is the amount of benefit that you will derive from the book's scattered-shot approach. Ames may or may not have addressed a particular advanced user's questions. On the other hand Ames writes clearly and interestingly. If you don't mind spending the time and money, you may well find something worthwhile. Still, the possible benefit is a bit of a crap shoot.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digital Photographers Notebook - Useful Information, November 19, 2007

By	Robert Newman - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found Part 2, which discusses the system and workflow for archiving files, worth the price of the book alone. I have been searching for some time for a better archival system than the chronological one I use. Kevin's detailed description of his system is the best article I have found on archiving files. The importance of what he calls "bulletproof archival workflow" hit home recently when I lost many files from two separate hard disks failures within a two-week period. I was going to use the new system to archive a large project involving old negatives and slides, but will now use his system first to eliminate the holes in my current archives.

I have followed Kevin's column for several years and frequently revisit articles for color management techniques he has shared. In this book I found a couple of techniques and actions that I have already used in my work.

Kevin has done a nice job with this book and has provided tools that should be useful to you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digital Photographer's Notebook by Kevin Ames, January 21, 2008

By	John Reuter (Longmeadow, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a photographer and Photoshop educator I am always on the lookout for books that will not only help me take advantage of the most current digital tools but also pass on the most up to date information to my students. With the advent of an all new Photoshop last year and the addition of Lightroom, I have found many students and fellow photographers confused about how to integrate both programs into their everyday working environment. Kevin Ames has worked as a professional photographer for many years and was an early adopter of digital tools when many were sticking with the comforts of the analog world. His depth of experience is complemented by his excellent teaching and writing skills to bring forth a book that will help professional photographers take the best advantage of what Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom can offer.
"The Digital Photographer's Notebook" contains clear explanations of the many concepts of digital tools, from how digital cameras see and record light, why raw files are the only way to record images, how to organize and keyword your images and how to protect and backup your data so you never have to lose a single image. As one who has experienced the loss of data on one occasion, Kevin's thorough strategy of image backup may be worth the price of this book alone.
As the saying goes "but wait, there's more". Kevin shares his broad experience in capturing digital images both on location and in the studio and how to utilize Adobe Bridge to download your images from CF cards or work tethered directly to your computer. Strategies of color management are covered in detail, as are retouching tools that can be applied to entire folders of images. The Lightroom interface is covered in detail, from metadata, to the develop module, to printing and web galleries.
Once images are organized and processed Kevin takes you into Photoshop with some special tools and techniques to take your images to another level.
This book had its genesis in Kevin's columns from Photoshop User magazine. This expansion has a cohesiveness that belies these origins; the scope of this compilation is very much a book.
While the book indicates it is intended for the professional photographer, I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about his or her digital photography. Professional shooter, serious amateur, fine artist or photography student can all benefit from these sound organization strategies, clear explanations of tools and techniques, all wrapped up in a clear writing style with anecdotal observations that make reading a book on software actually a pleasure.