Getting Started with Camera Raw: How to Make Better Pictures Using Photoshop and Photoshop Elements

This second updated edition of a classic on how to make better photos using Photoshop and Photoshop Elements provides keys to understanding the basics of how a digital camera captures and stores data. Camera Raw is different from working with the usual JPEG image file: this covers basic editing techniques for Camera raw and tells how to use the histogram to improve images. Any serious Photoshop user needs this specific guide.

This book came to me in perfect condition. It arrived faster than I expected it would. I would buy from this seller again! Thanks again.

This book is a must for those photographers, experiencing some confusion when attempting to apply some of the functions within their own raw conversion software. If you have Bibble, Elements 6/7, Corel PSPX2, Photoshop Perfect, Silkypix:Ben Longs book is the compliment to those software. It is worthy of a 5 Star plus. It's colour illustrated, with many examples, delves into the mysteries of histograms, clipping, batch processing, etc. etc. For a few dollars, a bargain, a definite investment.

I have been shooting with my Canon 30D/40D for sometime in jpeg. The whole while I knew there was a RAW mode but I didn't know how or why one uses it (other than the generic "it offers more control"). This book is an outstanding intro to answer both questions. In really clear style it gave both the theory (which for RAW is really important) and the practical applications of raw using and processing images with Adobe Camera RAW. The improvement in the final image quality from developing a raw file yourself vs letting the camera create a jpeg for you with its standard settings is really staggering . The only part of the book I didn't think was "outstanding" was the chapter on workflow. Here the book was was "good." Having shot my last vacation in RAW, I understand completely why a book on RAW should address workflow as it becomes a major part of the process. The problem is the subject of workflow is really tied to whatever programs you are using (photoshop, Bridge, lightroom, iView, etc). The author did about as well as possible given the book is written to users of photoshop and elements. In th end, I went out and bought a book on Adobe Lightroom which is what I am not using.

If you're just starting out using Camera Raw in Photoshop or Elements I think this is a great book to start with. If you are, however, fairly experienced, it probably is going to help you only nominally. I think the layout of the book is very nice and there is very little "fluff". I think the problem some of the reviewers have with this book is that it wasn't matched with their experience level. I personally feel this is a well done book even for intermediate users.