Photoshop Compositing Secrets - Matt Kloskowski

[Conrad_T]

has anyone gotten this book yet that would like to review it?

I have purchased other books from Kelby training, and paid for memberships to their video training services before and I must say I wasn't impressed.

I read a few of the reviews on amazon and it seems like this book may finally deliver but then again the reviews I read didn't seem to be coming from retouchers.

Thank you kindly for any feedback you can give me about this book. Is it worth the purchase?

[andrewrodney]

Originally Posted by Conrad_T

I must say I wasn't impressed.

Its hit or miss, depending on the instructor.

[Conrad_T]

Originally Posted by andrewrodney

Its hit or miss, depending on the instructor.

You are absolutely correct about that. Dan Margulis's and Calvin Hollywoods training was phenomenal - just to mention a couple.

I've read more reviews and am watching the promo webcast for it right now. It seems that he is really going into a lot greater depth about the subject instead of just "touching" on subjects - and cramming the book full of shortcuts and workarounds.

As it stands now I am seriously leaning towards making the purchase. If I do I will report back here and write my own review of it in-case anyone else in on the fence about it.

On a side note Andrew I really enjoyed your rental here on retouchpro Maximum Raw. I learned a ton and must thank you for that!!.

[Nasturtium]

here's a taste;

http://www.graphics.com/modules.php?...icle&artid=977

[Conrad_T]

Thanks for that! It looks like I may have made a wise purchase.
I ordered it from kelby training and is should ship tomorrow definitely by Friday.
I will post back here my opinions and review on it.

[andrewrodney]

Let us know cause that preview didn’t whip up any excitement on my end...

A real pro who’s been doing this for years and years is the Photoshop Diva:
http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Mask.../dp/0735712794

[ThePSG]

Hey Conrad.
I saw you mentioned the webcast, but make sure also you go and watch the 90 second video I did for the book (2nd video on the page).

http://kelbytraining.com/product/pho...iting-secrets/

It's kind of like a visual TOC and shows about 10-11 of the composites. There's 16 chapters in the book. 1 chapter on selections and the tools I use and 15 chapters/projects each containing a different style of composite.

For each composite I go over:
• the overall setup of the portrait photo
• the background photo
• working with the portrait in Camera Raw
• the extraction of the portrait
• and finally, putting it all together in the composite (color balance, shadowing, lighting, extra elements, finishing touches, etc...)

Depending on how you define retouching, there's no actual "portrait" retouching in the book. All of the retouching deals with the backgrounds, extra elements, lighting and shadowing work.

Hope this helps. Thanks
- Matt Kloskowski

[Conrad_T]

Thanks for the reply ThePSG.
I'm not expecting anything about portrait retouching as far as skin work.
Here recently I have had lots of clients asking me for background replacements and composting work, and from another forum I belong to I know a lot of other retouchers that get those requests often also.
It is definitely a skill set I feel I must perfect.
Another reason I decided to purchase this book is because of the details it looks like you go into as far as the lighting set up as well. Which I feel will give me a better understanding of what the photographer did to capture the shot and perhaps understand better what they are trying to achieve.
In short it looks like this book is going to be completely comprehensive and from the reviews on amazon entertaining as well.
Now I am left anxiously awaiting it.
Thanks for the breakdown and check back often for my review.

[Conrad_T]

Originally Posted by andrewrodney

Let us know cause that preview didn’t whip up any excitement on my end...

A real pro who’s been doing this for years and years is the Photoshop Diva:
http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Mask.../dp/0735712794

I certainly will!

I have Katrins book. I love it I refer back to it often. The info there is gold. It was one of the first added to my library after the numerous books I bought on fundamentals and basics and I plan on going back through it chapter by chapter here in the near future.

[Conrad_T]

I received my book last night and am about to dive right into it. I will most likely start a new thread when I am ready to write the review.