Photoshop 6 Down and Dirty Tricks

I just finished reviewing Photoshop 6.0 Down & Dirty Tricks and I think it is the best tutorial/tips and tricks book that I have ever seen. The things that I like best about the book are the:1) huge screen shots and display of graphic images; 2) the generous step-by-step directions; 3) clarity of the explanations; 4) large easy to read text and displays 5) many special effects -- I found effects here that I have always wanted to know how to do and could never find easy/simple directions/instructions or even instructions for at all. Now I have them all in this one phenomenal book.If you don't believe me... the next time you are in a bookstore take a look and see if you can find this book there. For sure, you *will not* leave it on the bookshelf. This book will make even the novice Photoshop user look like an experienced expert!(What a great Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa gift this would make! If you already bought your gifts, why not throw in this book as an added bonus. The recipient(s) will be grateful you did.)Although the book weighs in at 228 pages -- approximately 8x10 -- I wish it were more! Seriously, I think that anyone interested in/using Photoshop 6.0 needs to have this book to add to their library. I wish I had it a long time ago. Scott Kelby just got himself a new fan!Roz Fruchtman ...

After reviewing many Photoshop books, I decided to purchase this one. And I am so glad I did!My primary reason for choosing this one, was that I could sit down immediately and start creating really cool, but also very useful, design concepts. Although some knowledge of Photoshop is useful, anyone, beginner as well as seasoned professional, can jump right in and start using these "down and dirty" techniques.Scott Kelby's appoach is simple and straight-forward. The book is filled with an abundance of graphically-illustrated exercises that are very educational as well as useful in design projects. In addition to the exercises are many tips and hints to enhance the Photoshop users skills.I highly recommend this book and encourage all Photoshop users to add it to their bookshelf--no--desktop!

This book is correctly named. The whole book contains "tricks" or more correctly "techniques." Organized by chapter/similarity, Scott Kelby walks you through each technique starting from scratch. For some of the techniques, he shows you multiple ways to achieve similar versions based on level of difficulty. (Meaning he'll show you a simple way first and then move on to progressively harder ways that look even better but are tougher for more novice users to follow.) The cool thing with this book is the consistentcy of his lessons, the clear language for explaining the techniques and the very appropriate graphics. One thing to be sure and also notice are the great tips that line the edges of the techniques in a yellow banded area. These are MUST reads. I learned just as much from them as I did his tutorials.In summary, I KNOW my work looked better / more professional after buying / using this book. I HIGHLY recommend it.

The author Scott Kelby certainly knows how to be down to earth in his Down & Dirty Tricks book. I found his style to be simple enough for the occasional photoshop user as well as time saving tips for the professional needing to meet tight deadlines and please a variety of clients. What impressed me most was the abundance of helpful tips on a wide range of subjects and the step by step approach found through-out the book. I found the sections on drop shadow effects and working with type especially helpful to me in order to satisfy my clients' needs that have a limited budget but still need incredible looking pieces. I enjoyed the overall layout of the book and the fact that it showed you color results of what you are looking to achieve. I would highly recommend this book to the beginner as well as the professional looking to always expand his knowledge, surely this book will do that for them; and at a price both could afford. Out of all the books I own about photoshop, this one will certainly NOT grow dust!

Yes seven is the least this book deserves. It is laid out thoughtfully so the reader becomes familiar with its format effortlessly. There is absolutely no verbal or graphic fat anywhere. You see the effect you want; you read how to create it and it works. What more could you ask for?The author writes in a friendly, concise manner and lets the reader in on a few hard won facts. Follow the directions and even a novice can produce the beautiful effects. Along side each trick are sidebars containing Photoshop tips. It's just a great tool to have. I'm still shocked at some of the effects I've created while reading this book.Scott Kelby, the author, is also editor-in-chief of Photoshop User magazine, president of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals ( NAPP ), training director for the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour, and a great teacher. Don't be intimidated by his titles, however, he knows how to get the message across. You will only grow from reading this book.