Excellent Learning
Richard Harrington, in Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4, provides an excellent learning platform for beginner and intermediate Photoshop users. He provides comprehensive, yet engaging explanations. The explanations are found both in the book and in the provided video links. There are hands-on lessons and interactive quizzes. Whatever your personal learning style, Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 has the tools to help you succeed.

However, the quizzes located on the DVD are the book’s sole weak spot. For example, the quizzes could be improved by referencing the page where the correct answer may be found.

Essential Techniques
In sixteen chapters, 54 video segments, and multiple lessons/projects for each chapter, Richard covers the essential techniques for both photographers and graphic artists. The book starts with a chapter on Digital Imaging Fundamentals to make sure the basics are covered.

Other chapters include:

• Selection Tools
• Masking
• Compositing with Layers
• Color Correction and Enhancement
• Maximizing Filters

Appropriately, the last chapter covers Output – Printing, PDF, and Specialized Output.

Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 is an excellent book. I look forward to reading and reviewing more books by this author. If you are still using Photoshop CS4 or earlier, I would recommend taking a look at this book.

Contact: www.peachpit.com
Cost: $49.99 US, $54.99 CAN, £31.99

The Wow Factor in Pictures
In the book A World in HDR by Trey Ratcliff, the author takes time to share the experience of creating and capturing each image in high dynamic range (HDR). This book not only provides vivid pictures, but describes the experience and how to create opportunities to capture stunning imagery. This book is a page turner, not only because of the pictures, but the story power behind each image.

Inspirational, But Doesn’t Hold Your Hand
HDR is not just for expert photographers. With each picture, Trey Ratcliff provides the readers ideas to inspire creation. He talks about the philosophy behind each image, but doesn’t go into depth on how he created each photo. He encourages photographers to develop their own ideas to create distinct images. The last few chapters in this book do offer tutorials, but this book inspires and tempts photographers to experiment.

Show and Tell With HDR
Each picture provides gorgeous, mouth dropping imagery, some so surreal you wonder “How did he get that picture?” Terry explains his motive and setting, yet mostly he delves into the why and wherefore of each image. It is interesting looking behind the philosophical eyes of the photographer. The reader has a sense of being there, while reading the author’s quirky and humorous perspective.

Beyond Your Comfort Level
Terry prods amateur and experienced photographers to strive beyond their comfort shell. He takes the approach anyone can create HDR images, even young students. Age and limited experience are factors that should encourage, not discourage discovering HDR.

Take the opportunity to read this book. It’s an awesome read, has great imagery, lots of interesting stories and provides an enjoyable experience musing over the fantastic scenes.

Contact: www.StuckinCustoms.com; PeachPit Press
Cost: $29.69 – $44.99 US; $53.99 CAN

Just For Digital Images
Photoshop Elements 8 offers far more than expected for photo editing, yet it’s format and function keys are pretty easy to figure out. And the software offers beginners to advanced users a wide range of uses. If intermediate to advanced digital photographers are looking for a how-to book using Photoshop Elements 8, consider The Photoshop Elements 8 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski.

Get Organized
The first two chapters focus on organization of pictures, importing meta data and working with RAW, or JPEG files. Don’t skip these chapters, as they provide insight how to file, upload and organize your pictures. Just like painting, a bit of prep work saves you a whole lot of time and effort.

Most chapters are written with 4 to 5 step tips, and numerous pictures to show the before, changes and after effects. After the first two chapters, the authors expect readers to jump around learning different techniques, and improving their images.

In Chapter 5, common mistakes photographers make and how to fix them are outlined, and visually displayed. It is so much easier to look at a picture, see how it’s corrected, then have to read a long paragraph.

Concentrates on Main Photography Points
Various chapters focus on fixing color, shadow, touching up faces, layout, fit to print, plus black and white conversion. In addition, the authors note limitations of various techniques and tools, letting you know what photographers can and can’t accomplish. And both authors draw in their readers with their quirky sense of humor.

If you feel Photoshop CS4 is a bit challenging, consider Photoshop Elements 8. It’s not Photoshop CS4’s little brother anymore, but has it’s own unique features. The authors provide interesting workarounds, quick tips and ingenious ways to replicate Photoshop CS4 features.

Systems Requirements: Photoshop Elements 8 requires Mac OS X 10.4 with Intel processor; Windows XP with 1.6 GHz processor. For the book, just your brain.
Contact: www.newriders.com; www.kelbytraining.com
Cost: $49.99 US; £29.99 UK; $59.99 CAN

Quick and Easy Tricks
I love the way this book is laid out. There are numerous pictures, screen shots displaying command functions, and two page lessons on a wide variety of Photoshop Elements 8 techniques. If you’re skilled in Photoshop Elements 8, but want some quick and direct shortcuts to improve your skills, then get this book.

The authors, David Asch and Steve Caplin, wrote a well thought out book. The first four chapters deal with the basics of photo editing. Each chapter’s lesson builds on techniques discussed earlier, but readers don’t have to read chapter by chapter. Photo editors can definitely jump around, and pick up some editing techniques.

Lots of pictures help display step-by-step written guidelines, and suggestions. On the sidebar, there are hot tips. Plus, whether users are operating on a Mac or Windows operating system, the function keys are highlighted to identify how to apply on either platform, or applicable for both.

And of course, if that’s not enough, there’s a CD providing the book on a disc. In addition, there are numerous tutorial videos and instructions from prior Photoshop Elements versions.

I’ve reviewed a variety of Photoshop Elements 8 books, and I was looking forward to checking this book out. You should too.

System Requirements:Photoshop Elements 8 requires Mac OS X 10.4 with Intel processor; Windows XP with 1.6 GHz processor. For the book, just your brain.
Contact:www.adobe.com; www.elsevier.com
Cost: $39.95 US; £22.99 UK

Adobe’s Classroom in a Book: Lots to Work With
I’ve reviewed other how-to books on Photoshop and Premiere Elements 8. Adobe’s Classroom in a Book also tops with the better choices, too. All Adobe expects is that the reader have a working knowledge of their computer (use the internet, mouse, drag around the window, open and minimize windows, open-save-close files). Readers, however, should take the time to familiarize themselves with the tool bar, and observe the basic tutorials. Adobe takes the time and effort to encourage users, not discourage.

Lessons and Pictures Provided
Adobe provides a CD full of lessons, so there’s plenty of learning opportunities. I’d like to see more pictures tied to the informational paragraphs, but Adobe does provide step-by-step instructions. One section that would have helped is a layout of the tools and tool bar, and their function. However, Adobe steps right in with a lesson to create one project, which from my experience with other Adobe how-to books, carefully leads the reader to understand different tool elements. Furthermore, at the end there are review questions, with answers. You’ll learn how to edit video, create video themes, tweak content, work  with sound, and many other interesting video editing tasks.

This book supplements the tutorials and lessons provided at Adobe’s website.

There are many book choices for learning Adobe Premiere Elements 8. Consider this book as a good option.

System Requirements: Review Adobe’s system requirements online.
Contact: www.adobe.com
Cost: $34.64 – $54.99

Another For Dummies Book
I think this book has merit in that the Dummies series offers 9 books in one, however I would have preferred a different format. When you’re writing a how-to book on using imaging editing software, your clients are going to be using this book to improve pictures. Therefore, why not add informative pictures to demonstrate where tools are in the software, and how to revise images?

There is good content in the book, it has various helpful icons, and is comprehensive in providing stepped instructions. Yet I think a beginner (and yes, this being a “dummies” book caters to beginners) would be somewhat bogged down by the numerous direction paragraphs. I’ve seen other “how-to” books that offer simple, short directions with clear and easy-to-understand photos providing simple to increasing technical aspects of Photoshop Elements 8.

Lots of Books in One
I think this book is riding on the  reputation of  the “For Dummies” name, and expects readers to pick it up since it is a “Dummies” book. If you want 9 books in one, and don’t mind reading a lot of content then this is your book. I prefer visual directions where I don’t have to read lots of words to figure out software tools.

System Requirements: Open and read
Contact:Wiley Publishing
Cost: $29.99 US

Grades: Elementary to College beginners to intermediate students in photo editing

Easy as 1-2-3
There are several books available to learn Adobe Photoshop Elements 8. One of the better ones I’m reviewing is Teach Yourself Visually: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 by Mike Wooldridge, and published by Wiley.

Mike Wooldridge has over authored over 20 books in this series, and is a web developer.  If you’re beginning to learn photo editing, I recommend this book.  I’m no expert in Photoshop, and I’m not one to pick up a media how-to book, unless required for my job, or assume it could improve business opportunities.  I don’t treat them as light reading, but I would pick this book up.  It’s that visually addicting, and easy to learn. This book was written for beginners who are just starting to explore photo editing, to intermediates who want to improve their skills.

In the first three chapters, the author doesn’t assume what his reader should know, but helps define some basic photo editing concepts, and computer mouse terms.  Vibrant introductory photos and images, large font, eye-catching chapter headings and simple, short paragraphs liven up a somewhat dry subject.   Colorful markers and arrows direct the reader to different tools and tool panels, plus how to apply these tools in different techniques.

Visually Enticing
Each chapter offers numerous clear, directive pictures to observe individual tool settings, buttons, where they are located, how accessed, and applied.  What’s obvious to some is not obvious to others, which has always been my problem deciphering various computer programs.  This book facilitates, and encourages readers to test their skills, and explore.   It’s one of the better, visually enticing beginning how-to media books I’ve reviewed.  The layout is engaging, allows reader to see how changes occur, and clearly points out what to do next.

Don’t be afraid to tackle Photoshop Elements 8 with this book by your computer.  Adobe offers a 30-day trial period.  Grab the book, download the application and give it a whirl!

Let me know what you think of the book.

System Requirements: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 is a Windows based program. Link to www.adobe.com for further information.
Contact: www.wiley.com/go/visual
Cost: $29.99 US; $35.99 Canadian; £21.99 UK