Books : The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter)

Rating: - THE best initial guide to Photoshop
To me a review is most meaningful when you know a little something about the person writing the review. I have been an avid amateur photographer since the late 1970's and have been selling my work since 2004. Photography isn't my day job, but it does provide a welcome supplement. I shot with a Canon 1D Mark II Professional Digital SLR from 2003 until May of 2008. I recently switched to a Nikon D3 and while the files do have a different look directly out of the camera, in the end both systems provide wonderful images once they have been worked in post process. When I last wrote a review I was doing all most all of my post processing work in Photoshop, but my workflow has evolved significantly since the introduction of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

I am a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and make extensive use of the abundant educational materials available on the member website. I have read well over three-dozen Photoshop training guides with one overriding goal in mind; producing the best images possible.

The Photoshop CS3 book fore Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby is THE book I recommend to anyone that is new to Photoshop and feeling overwhelmed by the program. I have worked extensively in Photoshop since 2001, and I feel as though I have only scratched the surface of what the program is capable of offering. The learning curve with Photoshop is formidable. This book is the best guide I have found for getting you up and running quickly and effectively. Don't think that it is only for newbies however; there are many great tips for users of all experience levels throughout the entire book.

You won't find a great deal of Photoshop wizardry in this book, but that's not the point. This book is dedicated to explaining the basics, and helping you really master the underpinnings of Photoshop so that when you ready to take it to the next level you are doing so from a rock solid foundation. Having said that there is a tremendous amount of material covered in this book. You will learn how to handle numerous real world problems that every photographer faces at one time or another.

In a nutshell the books walks you through how to setup the program so that it works intuitively for you. Next you learn how to import and organize your images so you will be able to find them later. Once you are able to upload, store and retrieve your images then you start to learn how to correct the myriad of technical problems that are typical with digital photography. At the end there are several chapters dedicated to preparing your images for printing including numerous suggestions for ways to present your work like a pro.

There are 457 pages, most of which are written in classic Scott Kelby form. If you have never read one of Scott's books you are either in for a treat or will find yourself groaning... a lot. I happen to really enjoy his writing style, which is good because he is a prolific writer and consummate educator. If you have a thirst for Photoshop knowledge you will come across his work again and again.

I copied the next few lines directly from my review of Layers by Matt Kloskowski, because it sums up this book just as accurately. Like everything the Kelby team does, the layout appeals to the visual senses immediately. The images and examples throughout the book are well done and demonstrate real world examples of how to correct or enhance your images in Photoshop.

I'll repeat myself to make certain you come away with a clear understanding of how strongly I recommend this book. Scott Kelby far and away writes the best guides to Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom that I have ever come across. His are the first books to buy when faced with learning either program.

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Rating: - Great teaching and referance book.
A great book. Well documented "How to's" and a very good index which makes it easy to find a proceedure.

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Rating: - Best book out there for us beginner/intermediates
Read J Boones description for an accurate take on Scotts book.
BUT the only thing I disagree with is I like the humour aspect.
I love Scotts books.
The way he writes.
I find it easy to follow.
I found I was talking aloud as I read this book.
I would say "Huh?!" and in the very next sentence Scott would write, "I bet you are saying HUH? right now"
Then he would go and clearly explain to me what it was I was having a hard time grasping.
Scott writes in a a way a teacher does who knows the thoughts of his students.
I highly recommend this as a fanastic book to all us beginners and intermediate level photographers.
I am constatnly using it for reference.

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Rating: - a great help
This is a great book. I have improved my photoshop skills enormously and will be purchasing more books from this author.

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Rating: - Informative
Everyone needs a little help with Adobe PhotoShop CS3. This book touches on many different areas. Another helpful book is Adobe PhotoShop CS Down and Dirty Tricks. Both work very well together.