Photoshop CS5 For Dummies

This book is a very good introductory overview of the CS5 version of Photoshop. It is a wide overview of the program, aimed at a wide audience of users who are familiar with the program (or not); users who are photographers of different levels and/or designers (professional or otherwise). With a spectrum such as this, there is little choice but to only touch the surface of each program tool, feature, menu item, filter, procedure, technique, and so on. This book does so admirably.It touches on almost every subject you might like to get an introductory explanation about, gives you the basic guidelines for use, what to do (and not), options, applicable settings and choices, and helpful illustrations or screen shots on every single page. It is a manual, not a review. It doesn't evaluate the features, only tells you how to use them.The book probably assumes this is the first time you use Photoshop and that CS 5 is your first version. It doesn't treat "new CS 5" features separately, it simply takes you on a thorough and detailed tour of the current incarnation of Photoshop and, where something is new or changed, a yellow "new in CS 5" icon appears on the margin of the general narrative. This icon, is in addition to the usual iconography of the "for dummies" book like "warning," "tips," etc.As a fairly competent Photoshop user for just over ten years but a first-time owner of the "Extended" version, I found his introduction to the features and capabilities of this version to be very helpful. The book is well indexed, so I had no difficulty in locating the particular new features I wanted to learn more about. In the process, I ended up reading and learning new things about old features. I found his method of turning a photo into a line drawing much better than the one I'd been using and his sections on using tablets and his top ten tips & tricks very interesting.There is something for everyone here, which is both a plus and a minus. Whether you want to use Photoshop to make your photos the best they can be; or you want to work with text; or create special effects; or turn your photos into art or create art from scratch; start working with HDR or shooting in RAW; or perform any of the myriad functions of which Photoshop is capable this book will help you get started. It won't go into depth into any of them. Once you know what your needs are or what you want to learn more about, you should get a book which covers your particular needs in depth and detail.Which brings me back to the first line of my review: This book is a very good introductory overview of the CS5 version of Photoshop.

I am a fan of the "For Dummies" books. I like how this book gives the "recipes" and explains the processes for various PS projects. The pictures are in color, which is something I appreciate. I don't get it when photography instruction books illustrate or use black and white, coped photos. The layout and progression of subjects makes sense in this book. I would recommend it.

Starts with the basics, builds up.

Again there is a lot going on so am still barely getting into the book. The book is very detailed and I am sure it will meet my needs.

This book covers a considerable array of topics, perhaps too many given the size of the book. It never really seems to go into enough depth to be useful for me. Perhaps I need the "Total Dummies" version. I am completely new to using Photoshop and assumed this would be a good place to start. Unfortunately for me, I feel like I'm being left to jump the chasm between what information is presented and how much one needs to know in order for this stuff to make sense. I've read, re-read, and read again the parts on alpha channels and masks, and for the life of me still can't figure it out. I've managed to make a few masks, but can't understand how they work in PS and the book fails to explain this very necessary info. Masking and alphas are pretty straightforward in other compositing software I've used (Shake, Motion), but seem to require an inordinate amount of hoops be jumped through in a very specific order in PS and this book doesn't even give a decent step-by-step to help one along. It gives several paragraphs to masks and alphas, but doesn't go about explaining the procedure for using them in PS. Very frustrating.This might be a useful reference book to explain concepts, but as a learning guide it comes up short. Quite disappointed.

This book has been a great find for me not knowing that much about Photoshop I have been able to learn alot that I would have had to go to school for if I didn't have this book. I would say that this is worth the time to read and learn about Photoshop and the things you can do with it. Very pleased with the book.

Easy to read and reference filters and editing procedures. Very easy to understand, and a great reference when you dont use the program that often. You will get great results with this book.

Forgot a lot of the things I knew. Great memory jogger.

Although these books say “for dummies” they are pretty intense! This book was rammed with information that can easily be overwhelming for someone with no experience. Am still struggling with photoshop if I’m honest lol.

I would highly recommend this book for anybody interested in photography.This book is for all levels not just amateurs

very good read, easy to follow and learn from. this series of books are very handy and would highly recommend to anyone.

I am sure it is easy to understand but has become one for the bookshelf and notes opened

Good