PS Book Recommendations Please

[d_kendal]

definitely agree with Margaret, for a couple months when I started doing this stuff, I never even bought any books, everything I learned about restoration/retouching etc. was just from here, the forums, tutorials and challenge descriptions are filled with tons of invaluable information. and don't feel bad asking "stupid" questions, we're happy to answer questions or point to another thread where the problem or question was addressed.

- David

[feivel]

I just started working with Katrin Eismann's book. It's perfect. I feel like she's standing next to me while I'm working. And I can't, for the life of me, figure out how she does it but she kind of makes photoshop seem simple!

Thank you, this book is more than I was hoping for.

[roger_ele]

I admit it, my name is Roger, and I am a addicted to books - they give me a rush that no matter what problem I want to solve, the solution is at my fingertips.

I have not read a single one completely, I dive in and through them as needed to solve the inevitable mysteries and such.

I agree, Katrin's book for retouching and Professional Photoshop for color correction are the industry bibles.

The third, and not yet mentioned (that nobody has tried to rewrite because it has been done so well), is Photoshop Channel Chops by Biedny, Monroy, and Moody. This books explains in an easy way how Photosop works at it's core - the result is that I am finding myself "thinking Photoshop" more and more rather than depending on the recipies.

Another cool book is Photoshop, Painter, & Illustrator Side by Side by Wendy Cumpler. The book is filled with tables and examples of side by side how to do each possible function in each program. I now have Photoshop & Painter, but even when I just had Photoshop I could go to the table with the tool, function, layer, mask, etc. that I was looking for and scan down the descriptions of the different things I could do and then over to how to do them. Very quick and easy. An added bonus is that if you ever find yourself thinking that you should get Painter or Illustrator you can check the comparrisons for what you want to do to make sure it is worth it.

Roger

[Doug Nelson]

Hopefully, once we start getting some opinions logged in our Reviews section, everyone will be able to find their ideal book(s) very quickly. 122 books listed, but only 11 opinions to date.

My goal is to make it the defacto resource to answer questions just like this one.

[feivel]

Never explored this site fully, didn't realize there was a book review area.

If it is possible to rank the books by rating it would make that area much more useful, there's so many, it's difficult to go through them all.

as long as i'm in suggestion mode, ever consider a newbie forum, where they (we) can be more comfortable asking very basic questions, and where those experienced forum members who enjoy helping newbies would be able to find cries for help in one place?

thank you

[winwintoo]

I'll let Doug address your first suggestion, but I'll add my $0.02 about the second.

Trust me, everyone who's been here for a while, recognizes when I "newbie" posts and they are quick to answer.

.....and you don't need to be shy about asking anything - I've been on here for several months now and I've never seen a "flame war" such as you might experience on other forums.

.....so start posting those questions, send us some of your work and ask for opinions.....we're waiting for YOU.



Margaret

[Doug Nelson]

You can sort by rating. Also by title, vendor, and number of reviews. Just click the little icon at the top of the listing.

(At least you could sort by ratings until yesterday when I installed a new version, it gets an error now, but it should work again soon. The other 3 work fine).

[feivel]

I'm in a "basic learning-getting up to speed" mode now, but I hope to start posting some work and asking more specific questions in a few weeks.

the encouragement I'm getting here is sure a big help.


feivel

[LactoBeeZor]

Feivel;

Listen to winwintoo. This is a wonderful group. I do like your idea about a newbie area/forum. The pro's (not me) could drop in from time to time if they want to for a big brother/sister chat.

BTW does anyone know Katrin Easmann?? This is off topic but she has the most unusually (is that a word ) shaped pupil. P 12-13 and other spots in the book. I find myself drawn to them. Maybe this is why she has such an excellent book.

Lacto;

[Doug Nelson]

"Sort by rating" is now fixed over in the Reviews section.

[Bob Walden]

Hi all! I agree on the book choices. In particular Katrin's. I have found her vidoe's very helpful also. Katrin is working on an update of her book so it may pay to hold off a little while. I believe this update will include PS7.

Bob

[john_opitz]

Here's one:

Real World Color mangement


It's for different types of output. Inkjets,ect.ect... If one is concerned about their printing.