Adobe Photoshop CS5 Classroom in a Book: The Official Training Workbook from Adobe Systems 1st Edition

I have been a long time user of Elements and am comfortable with most of its capabilities, including layers and filters. When I upgraded to CS5, I needed a book to teach me this much more complex program. I'm well into CS5 Classroom in a Book now and believe it's an excellent teacher.The book contains 14 lessons, each covering several tools or processes. Each is short but intense. The screen captures are very clear with red arrows directing you to the action. The text is clear and concise, each sentence covering so much that I found it useful to skim the entire lesson first, then go back and do each step in sequence.There is a DVD with images for all 14 lessons. The images provided are carefully selected to clearly support each lesson, not to show off the authors' superior talent.The DVD also has a couple of hours of tutorials, somewhat better than the stuff you can find on the Internet.Finally, most of the critical reviews note that this book tells you what to do but not always why to do it. I agree with this comment but suggest there's a reason for this method. For instance, the authors say to set a slider to a certain percentage, with no explaination of why that number. I move the slider above and below the suggested number and observe the effect on the image or the tool. By doing so, I begin to understand what that number means. This is learning by doing, the overarching technique of this book.The authors do explain the numbers when it is important to do so (as in Threshold for Unsharp Mask) but to explain every number, in my view, would add many pages and greater complexity to an already complex subject.So if you already use Elements and are thinking of moving up to Photoshop, this book will help you make that leap.

I was arrogant when I looked at this book and thought that it might be too simple. After all, I'd been using Photoshop for a few years and was only upgrading versions, wasn't I? Well, when I actually sat down and started working through it patiently, I found that I was wrong to be so arrogant. The book may look simple aty first glance, but it is quite carefully constructed to build up a nice balance of information in an easy way. From the start, I was finding myself learning little tricks and new shortcuts.For me, there were two gains to be had from this book. The first is that I was several Photoshop versions behind and it was truly helping me to learn new features. The second is that I was nevertheless getting set in my ways and was overlooking shortcuts which would make my life easier. For example, I thought that I knew all about selections. Yet I had never used the spacebar to move the selection around at the same time as I was making it (don't laugh at me!).So, unless you're an absolute super guru, I think that if you are patient enough to work through the lessons in this book then you will get a lot out of it.

Calling all aspiring digital Picassos and pixel perfectionists! If mastering the art of Adobe Photoshop CS5 is your quest, then consider "Adobe Photoshop CS5 Classroom in a Book" your magical compass. This book isn't just a guide; it's a passport to a world of creative wizardry.Opening the pages of this tome is like stepping into a secret chamber of knowledge, where layers become your brushstrokes and filters your pigments. From the very first chapter, you're greeted with tutorials that are as step-by-step as assembling IKEA furniture – minus the cryptic instructions. The authors, who might as well be Photoshop wizards themselves, guide you through the enchanted forest of tools and techniques with clarity and finesse.Imagine this: the book is your Hogwarts letter, inviting you to a realm where photo manipulation, digital painting, and graphic design are your core subjects. It's a magical journey that transforms novices into spellbinding creators. Each chapter feels like a lesson from your favorite art teacher, complete with hands-on exercises that have you waving your stylus like a wand.However, even in this realm of enchantment, there are a few quirks. Just as Harry had his challenges at Hogwarts, you might find yourself encountering a hurdle or two. The interface might look a tad different from the latest versions, and some features might feel like ancient spells in a modern-day cauldron. Fear not, though – with a bit of patience and a sprinkle of trial and error, you'll conquer these obstacles faster than you can say "expelliarmus."While the content is a treasure trove of knowledge, it's the exercises that truly shine. They're like potions that transform theory into practice. The more you brew, the more potent your skills become. Be prepared to dedicate time to these exercises – they're not mere "add-water-and-stir" affairs. But remember, every stroke of your virtual brush is a step closer to mastering the art of Photoshop.In the end, "Adobe Photoshop CS5 Classroom in a Book" is your trusty spellbook for all things Photoshop. It might not make you an overnight sensation, but it's a powerful enchantment that, when diligently practiced, can turn you into a true digital sorcerer. So grab your wand (or stylus), flip open those pages, and prepare to make digital art history. Accio, creativity! 🎨✨📚

I have been attempting to teach myself Photoshop for about a year with little success. I decided to take an online course through the local college and this book is the required text book. It's only the third week but I've already learned a lot. Besides the lessons in the book, there are also video lessons on the included cd. These lessons are interesting, informative and fun.One nice feature of these video lessons is the "Watch and Work" feature. This feature allows you to follow along in Photoshop with what is going on in the video. It reduces the size of the video window and keeps it in the forefront as you work in Photoshop.Please be aware that you need Photoshop CS5 to do the lessons in the book and on the video.