Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4: The Essential Techniques for Imaging Professionals (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: layer styles, smart object, layer mask, Choose File, Free Transform, Choose Filter (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Photoshop is the foundation of every digital career. It is the most pervasive technology on the market. Many users think they know it, but in truth they have gaping holes. This book covers what a professional truly needs to know about Photoshop to be employable. For students (whether in formal programs, certified training centers, or self-paced) this book offers a chance to explore the many aspects of the program interactively.  The book cuts though the clutter and is unique in that it focuses not just on digital photography, but Internet, graphic design, multimedia, and video uses.

Readers will learn the basics in correcting, editing, sharpening, retouching, and presenting photos as well as work on specific projects/exercises, including: digital painting; preparing images for newsprint; designing a CD/DVD label, magazine cover, and advertisements; and building an electronic portfolio.

The full-color book includes a CD-ROM with hand-on exercises and practice images, access to a reader’s only Web site for bonus downloads and files, and access to the popular video tutorial Podcasts (150 at time of publication).

About the Author

Richard Harrington is the founder of RHED Pixel, a visual communications company based in Washington, D.C. A graphic design and new media expert, he is certified by Adobe, Apple, and Avid, and is a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals Instructor Dream Team. Harrington has also served as an instructor at the Art Institute of Washington and The American University. He has authored several books including Photoshop for Video and Aperture 2 for the Apple Pro Training Series. Harrington also produces the weekly show Understanding Adobe Photoshop available on both iTunes and the Adobe Media Player.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 2 edition (November 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321563662
• ISBN-13: 978-0321563668
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #137,968 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting up to speed!, December 2, 2008

By	Alison A. Farmer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Full disclosure: I haven't read the book cover-to-cover, but in my initial pass, I've already found it loaded with the specific information I was seeking. I started in design back in the early 1990s, and have been out of the field for over ten years. While I turned my back, Photoshop left me in the dust, and easing back into hands-on design and production has been a bit of a struggle. Sadly, I've felt like an old dog who can't learn new tricks when it comes to learning the interface and abilities of CS4.

Harrington's book is exactly what I was looking for: a clearly written, well-indexed "how to" to bring me up to speed. While I can't speak to what an advanced user would think of the book (I'd imagine a lot of this wouldn't be a huge leap if you were already an expert user of previous versions of Photoshop), I'm finding it incredibly helpful. I love that he starts with the basics, makes no assumptions, and presses the accelerator to bring me from 0-60 in no time.

I'm looking forward to dedicating a weekend to walking through this manual from cover-to-cover with my laptop booted. The tone of the book is so straight-forward and conversational, it will be like having a teacher standing in my living room, but for a fraction of the price.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only the Essentials for New and Returning Photoshop Users, December 30, 2008

By	Richard M. Harrington "rhedpixel" (Vienna, VA United States) - See all my reviews

The book is not aimed just at graphic artists, but is broad covering uses that many general users would want. The material covered is what I would teach in a 101 semester-long college class. For many who are self-taught, I find that they often overlook the true power of things like layers, text, masking, etc. So the book teaches the "essentials" what I have found student to need to land jobs and be able to work with the top 85% of what the app does. The book streamlines Photoshop to its most useful features.

With that said, I frequently teach these same techniques at Photoshop World and have several pros comment on how fast and easy these techniques are. I started my Photoshop career as a production artist, then worked in broadcast. I know how to fix images quickly and easily, which this book focusses on. We do discuss SEVERAL advanced techniques like layer masking, calculations, smart objects, etc.

Conrad's complaint that only those seeking the most basic instruction is slightly off. The book IS written for beginners, but we teach them the most professional techniques and leave off all the fluff. Photoshop User Magazine agreed and gave the last edition of the book 5 stars. Many pros have "bad habits" and skip past sections of the book that could correct that.

I am glad he finds the videos useful.... There is not another book on the market that gives you 54 free videos (in HD) with the book. I can't control that Peachpit's servers require you to download first. But there is a DOWNLOAD ALL button. We also give you all the photos to go with the Videos (as well as every picture for every exercise in the book and then some). This is not common practice... all told 200+ hands on exercises....

I make no apologies for the target audience... it is for those new to Photoshop (such as HS or College Level) or those who've been away from Photoshop for a long time. The quizzes are straight forward, 10 questions per chapter to see if the core technology is understood. Again, a feature missing from most books.

Camera Raw is covered, with close to 30 minutes of video. The page count of the book is tight... printing costs are high to do a full color book. In order to keep the book affordable.. we have made the book more of a multimedia experience. As you read the chapter, videos are called out.. as well as additional exercises and web links to explore.

I appreciate Conrad's detailed review... I hope my response helps those of you looking at the title. This is for new users thru intermediate folks. If you were to pay a few grand and take a semester class... this is what I'd teach you. I believe you'll learn best by reading, seeing, and doing... that's why there's 6.5 hours of video and 200+ photos included.

If you'd like to try out two free chapters and see some free videos on Photoshop CS4... you can visit www.csfour.com

Enjoy

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have guide, March 3, 2009

By	Elle - See all my reviews

I'm new to photoshop; actually new to the digital world. My strength are in the wet lab rather than a dry lab, i.e., photoshop. I process and print nothing but black & white film. I've realized that my world needs to change a bit with regards to photography. I bought another (recommended) book on photoshop. I found that book quite daunting due to the fact that I know nothing more than how to open up CS4. This publication was the book that I should have purchased first. With its video tutorial and guiding the learner through the foundations of the digital world, I'm finding the beauty in moving into the a dry lab. Anyone who is a beginner will find this book helpful. Being a teacher myself, I am always looking for the 'why'; this book answers my questions and guides me through the process with ease.