Photoshop 5 and 5.5 Artistry (VOICES)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 408 pages
• Published by: New Riders Press; Pap/Cdr edition January 21, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0735709947
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0735709942
• Book Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 3.1 pounds

Product Review
With five new chapters devoted to the upgraded features in Adobe's image editing software (including ImageReady 2), Photoshop 5/5.5 Artistry incorporates all the material from the version 5 book, with new instructions on creating images for the Web.

Just like the earlier book, this full-color guide to Photoshop caters to professionals who work with digital photographs and graphics, especially those with significant experience in both traditional photography and in using Photoshop. After an opening section on basics like tools, palettes, actions, and layers, the book discusses more advanced topics in digital imaging, such as applying the Zone System to Photoshop, mastering calibration, color spaces, scanning, resolutions, and histograms. Hands-on tutorials show how to use selections, layers, and masks for color correction, retouching, and compositing images. And there are more step-by-step examples of working with calculations, patterns, filters, and layer effects.

The new chapters show the differences between JPEG, GIF, and PNG compression formats and how to optimize images within Photoshop 5.5's 4-Up dialog box. There are hands-on sessions for creating GIF animations, sliced GIFs, and rollovers using ImageReady 2. And these chapters cover new tools that go beyond just Web production, like the magic eraser and the new type dialog box.

Throughout, the book features text-heavy explanations accompanied by plenty of illustrations and screen shots. It's the sort of image-laden book you can learn from just by reading the captions (for example, using linear and nonlinear history). An extensive index makes it ideal for troubleshooting. The sample photographs included on the CD-ROM are of great quality and are highly applicable to professional jobs. --Angelynn Grant

Topics covered: Intermediate and advanced instruction on using Photoshop 5.5 and ImageReady 2 for creating and manipulating digital images. In particular, lessons on creating a master digital image with effective use of color spaces, device characterization, color management, calibration of monitor and output devices, scanning, resolution and histograms; color correcting, retouching, and compositing using selections and layers; creating special effects using blend modes, calculations, filters, and layers effects; optimizing image formats for the Web, creating GIF animations, sliced GIFs, and rollovers. CD-ROM includes sample images in different stages used in overviews and tutorials and demo versions of applications.

Book Description
Photoshop 5.5 Artistry is for serious photographers who gravitate to using digital technology and the Web as their processing and distribution tools of choice. New Riders is here with the updated version of Photoshop 5 Artistry, including material that covers all of Photoshop 5.5's new critical features. This book is an in-depth course on digital imaging for intermediate and advanced users who want to create the best possible photographic images. Over fifty small sections show you a focused approach to doing specific tasks. As you work through chapters and step-by-step, hands-on excercises, you will gain in-depth understanding of the complex topics, such as calibration and ICC color management, and master the relationship between Photoshop tools.

Reader Reviews
As digital photography becomes more widespread Photoshop and similar programs will be used by new users, not only those working with design/layout/publishing but also photographers and artists. Photoshop is not one of the simplest programs to cope with, it has become large and complex, "Photoshop 5 & 5.5 Artistry" manages to go through many different techniques used in Photoshop work. As a former researcher in image processing I am not the usual reader, but I do find it very valuable and comprehensive. It may not be a book you read from cover to cover, you will probably return to it as a handbook searching for information about something you want to do with an image. The book is thorough and deep, it contains a lot of information, and don't skip this book just because it concerns version 5.5 while Photoshop v7 is out, the book is still valid in everything except the graphics of Photoshops various dialogs and interfaces. The theory and methods of working are valid for any program. Highly recommended. Comment | | (Report this)