This book uses Photoshop CS2, so it’s quite current (as of this writing CS3 isn’t due out till early next year). A nice touch in this book is chapter sections are marked in colour on the top of the page, making flipping through to a section easy. The first two chapters deal with set-up, taking pictures and setting up your computer set-up, including how to calibrate your monitor. A nice touch is chapter sections are marked in colour on the top of the page, making flipping through to a section easy. As well there are lots of notes in the side columns and break-out boxes on specific tips to a section, so there’s makes very easy reading.

Chapter three looks at Adobe Bridge and covers batch re-naming, ranking and generally doing a lot of pre-processing organizing of files before they get to the next step of importing raw files into Photoshop.

Chapter 4 looks at using camera raw for basic image processing before moving an image into Photoshop as well as how how to calibrate your camera using colour cards and touches on the differences in PS and Photoshop elements.

The next three chapters look at editing the image non-destructively using layers and masks. Chapter 5 introduces layer options, blend modes, adjustive layers and masks. This covers how to perform non-destructive editing through layers, blend modes.

Chapter six continues non-destructive editing looking at controlling the overall image. This covers curves and channels as well as applying the same changes to multiple images. Also covers filters, channel mixer, gradients, patterns and variations. Chapter seven then covers adjustments and effects to parts of the image. A good part of the chapter covers masking using various techniques to limit effects to certain areas.

Chapter eight looks at repairing images. This covers using the healing and patch tools. This includes using layers to preform non-destructive healing. Other topics include fixing blemishes and glamour and portrait photography tips as well as fixes to specific problems. This is followed with tips for architecture photography and deals with Photoshop’s perspective and lens correction and then finishes up with some tips on re-touching still-life photos.

Chapter nine covers collages and montages. This starts off with collages and covers finding pieces, creating your own stock-photo collection, and organizing photos for easy finding. The montages section starts off looking at the Photoshop features that are designed to help out, including Smart Objects, creating knockouts with the pen and Extract filter as well as 3rd party compositing tools. The rest of chapter looks at the combining process: matching backgrounds exposure and colour balance, size using the vanishing point. Changing focus using masks.


Chapter 10 is about the “Wow Factor”, specifically, it covers special effects that con enhance and image. This covers all kinds of uses of filters, liquefaction, wrap tool, lighting effects, film effects, ageing film, infra-red, duo-tones and effects filtering.

Chapter 11 looks at special purpose processing which features panoramas and stitching images, including shooting panoramas including shooting tips and using Photomerge. Extending dynamic range using two images, converting photos to paintings.

Finally chapter 12 is about presenting your work and includes printing, promoting on the web and creating slide shows. The book then wraps up with an appendix covering at some Photoshop alternatives including Apple’s Aperture and Adobe’s Lightroom. At 360-odd pages, its not the largest Photoshop book (Real World or Photoshop Bible would probably take that honour), but this book is an well laid out making it an easy read and a logically arranged, so it’s probably one of the best all-around books on the topic available. Recommended.