Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 26-30 of 61
 So much more could have been in this book. May 31, 2009
mhnstr (Christchurch, New Zealand)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
When I bought Photoshop CS2, I wasted a lot of effort with my photos until I bought Kelby's book. Not only did the book describe how to use some of the features in Photoshop that I used every day, but he also taught tricks such as adding twinkles to eyes. When I bought Lightroom, again it was Kelby who taught me how to use the program. In fact, I told all of my friends who used Photoshop that they needed Kelby's books. So when I upgraded to Photoshop CS4, I of course bought Kelby's book. And this time I was disappointed.
True to form, Kelby presents to the reader step by step instructions for some of the functions you may want to use in Photoshop CS4. Working with color, black and white and dodging and burning are all included in the book. But, as someone who already knew the basics of CS2, the CS4 book doesn't offer a lot of new information. And as someone who uses Lightroom instead of Bridge, I found the two chapters on Bridge to be interesting, but not so useful. The chapters on HDR images are interesting academically, but then Kelby recommends not using Photoshop for these images. The chapters about printing and showing your work are nice, but I bought the book to learn how to use Photoshop CS4 to improve my photos. These other topics would be better in another book so that Kelby could concentrate on teaching tips and tricks.
Missing from the CS4 book are all of the great tips that were in the CS2 book. I find that I actually use the CS2 book a lot when working in CS4 are rarely look at Kelby's Photoshop CS4 book. Also missing is more information about adjustment layers. Maybe I missed something by skipping his CS3 book, but to me, adjustment layers are the most exciting part about Photoshop CS4 and Kelby only devotes a few pages to them.
I actually wish that I had saved my money and used it instead for training on Lynda.com or the Lynda CS's (Chris Orwig is very good) Photoshop CS4 for Photographers. By using the Lynda training, my skills in Photoshop CS4 improved dramatically. Because of the Lynda training, I can use curves and other adjustment layers without reservation. I would recommend Lynda instead or in addition to this book.
In Summary, with the chapters on importing photos from your camera, cropping and printing, this book would be very good for someone who is new to Photoshop and needs to know the basics. However, more advanced uses who are familiar with Photoshop might be better served with a different instructional guide (book or DVD). If you already own Kelby's Photoshop CS2 book, you really dont need to buy this one as well.
 Scott Kelby's book full of Bad Humor & poorly organized May 29, 2009
Brice Bowman
4 out of 10 found this review helpful
Scott Kelby is one of those Photoshop writers that thinks he is a comedian with his silly jokes which are not funny, and apparently is unaware that serious readers merely want a book that is straight forward with usable information.
Kelby's book contains too many boring anecdotes and is poorly organized made all the worse with a bunch of mundane pictures making this one of the worst Photoshop books I have ever read.
This books gives the impression that it is a joke to Scott Kelby and could not care less about controlling himself and make an effort to write sensible book.
Reader beware, if you are seriously looking for substantial information on Photoshop then do not buy this book. Even with the great discounts that Amazon gives this books is a rip-off.
 Excellent book except ... May 26, 2009
Lorelai Gilmore (Stars Hollow, CT)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
... I wish Scott didn't waste half the book talking about Camera Raw and Bridge. A chapter on each is more than sufficient. I use Lightroom so that half the book is a waste of prime real estate for me. Scott, hope you're reading this and use those chapters for more of your neat tips and tricks in the next edition.
 CS4 Book : A great place to start for photographers. May 14, 2009
A. E. John
Scott Kelby has written many books on using Photoshop. He is a fine teacher, especially for beginners, and he is successful once again with this effort. This is not to say he doesn't offer plenty of useful information for the experienced as well. He has a way of leading you through very detailed procedures one step at a time, keeping it simple and not assuming anything on the readers part. There is no single book on PS that is "all you will ever need", but this is a great place for a photographer to start with the new CS4 version of Photoshop.
Another winner from Kelby May 12, 2009
Perry R. Heaton (Melbourne, Australia)
This is the third book by Kelby that I have purchased and it follows the same tried and true formula of teaching photoshop.
Cannot fault Kelby's easy to follow teaching methods.
Book is well presented and laid out.
Showing reviews 26-30 of 61
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