Photoshop for Right-Brainers: The Art of Photo Manipulation (Paperback)

by Al Ward (Author), Sybex (Author) "Right-brainers are typically artistic in some fashion and this book is for people who, like me, enjoy the journey..." (more)
Key Phrases: neon layer, background copy layer, blending mode, Healing Brush, High Pass, Web Photo Gallery (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Do you consider yourself a right-brainer? Are you an artist or photographer who views Photoshop as a tool for creative expression rather than a piece of software? Then you will embrace Photoshop master Al Ward's original approach to the art of photo manipulation. In Photoshop for Right-Brainers, he first explains the essential techniques used to generate cutting-edge photographic art, then guides you in creating numerous complex art pieces. Along with learning new techniques, you'll develop an artistic way of approaching Photoshop that will help you to be original. On the CD, you'll find images and project files from the book, actions you can use to implement techniques, stock images, and more.

From the Back Cover
Attention Right-Brainers! You're an artistic visionary, right? In your head you imagine clever image fixes, fanciful photo manipulations, and artworks of startling genius. But when it comes to bringing these visions to life on your computer -- well, that’s the hard part. If this sounds familiar, then Photoshop wiz Al Ward’s innovative and personal guide to the art of photo manipulation might just be the key to making your dreams come true. Photoshop for Right-Brainers doesn't hamstring you with follow-the-leader, cookie-cutter techniques. Instead, the book explores the artistic creation process, demonstrating how Photoshop can open pathways for originality and keep you from getting stuck creatively. You'll start off doing real-world Photoshop work to get a firm grounding in the essential tools and techniques. Then you'll work through complex projects, honing your skills and learning how to translate even your wildest visions into reality. By the end you’ll be able to generate mind-blowing photographic art of your own. Inside you'll learn how to: Expertly blend multiple photographs into composites that are incredibly real Add sharpness and detail to any image Retouch a portrait like a pro: soften wrinkles, erase blemishes, whiten teeth, and more Create mind-boggling mirror effects Control reflections and highlights as you manipulate reflective surfaces like chrome and glass Turn any photograph into a line drawing or an oil painting Map patterns onto contoured surfaces for greater realism Subtly adjust colors to make them more vivid -- or replace them completely Prepare your artwork for display online or in printed contact sheets and picture packages

And much more! Featured on the CD The CD features images and project files from the book along with actions you can use to implement techniques, stock images, and more. It also includes your own copy of Maya Personal Learning Edition, a non-commercial version of the award-winning Maya 5 software we're providing so you can begin to explore 3D graphics and animation.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Sybex (March 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078214313X
• ISBN-13: 978-0782143133
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #904,020 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes Photoshop a Program I can really use, May 8, 2004

By	Barbara Rhoades "Jackie of all Trades" (O'Fallon, MO USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I am a self-taught Photoshop user. That is to say, I know just enough about PS to be REALLY dangerous! Al Ward's book, Photoshop for Right-Brainers was a JOY to read. I was able to follow what he was talking about and even reproduce the effects using my own photos rather than the ones on the included CD. Now THAT is a well written book when you can actually use the information on photos other than the ones provided for the tutorial.

One of the very first pieces of information, something that I will actually use when I work with photos, is High Pass, a filter that grays out pixels so the edge details are clear. Two other items in PS that Mr. Ward talks about are Extract and Pattern Maker. Extract is just what it says - taking an object and extracting or removing it from the rest of the picture. Great way to see how you would look as a blonde! The Pattern Maker is a tool that I will use as a web designer. I am forever trying to find a suitable background for my web pages. Now, thanks to Al Ward and Photoshop for Right Brainers I don't have to look, I can make my own. Pattern Maker allows you to select part of a photo and then creates a background from the pixels selected. VERY COOL.

Are you a text nut? If so, this book shows you how to create Chrome letters. In the same section, it shows you how to use Opacity and Fill on the text. Of course, this can be applied to an actual photo as well but it is a very nice technique to allow the background to show through lettering.

A few of the other techniques this book walks you through are Masking, Cartooning images, Warping images to "fit" to another object and Photo Merge. This last technique gives you the collage effect that allows you to create one photo from many or to blend two photos to make a panorama. There is a CD with the book and it contains a free version of Maya 5 Personal Learning Edition, Source Files so you can follow along with the techniques being taught and Preset Tools created by Al Ward for use in the various techniques he shows.

This book is packed with useful information and is one that can actually be followed and understood. Many times authors go into so much detail that you can't follow or they make it so difficult that you give up. Not this author! Al Ward has my sincere thanks for writing a book to make a program that I had only a little knowledge of into something that I can actually use in my daily work.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, November 16, 2004

By	Andrew Waterman "Photoshop Geek" (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've earned a living retouching photos for years and I continually seek out new material that will stretch my abilities. Most books are a rehash of the same old stuff for people like me. I discovered Photoshop for Right Brainers mentioned in one of Al Ward's tutorials and decided to take a look at it. FINALLY!!! A new source of inspiration! This book would probably be over the head of beginners but for those who have at least a working knowledge of Photoshop CS and how it applies to photos, this book ROCKS!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Giving PhotoShop Skills Advanced Life, May 20, 2004

By	"jazzjoan" (Ormond Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews

PhotoShop for Right-Brainers is the art of photo manipulation at its finest. Al Ward clearly and explicitly takes the learner step-by-step through different techniques enabling the reader to advance his/her proficiency in huge leaps with each chapter. Each technique and tool Al explains is accompanied by a picture to elaborate his words. The knowledge and insights from Al's book will give each learners' PhotoShop skills advance life. Huge thanks to Al Ward.