Photoshop in a Nutshell

After buying >£30 books on Photoshop and lots of other computer subjects I've changed my mind on all those padded monsters - you don't need them. This book is simply the best Photoshop book I've seen. Its so handy I keep it right on my desk and dip in and out when I get stuck - which is often. There's so much information here written in a tight style and small font which I love. If you're a beginner then it probably isn't the best choice and Donnie O'Quinn's short, sharp and to the point method of writing (typical of O'Reilly books) is great for the intermediate/expert who doesn't want the hand holding just the good stuff. They should do more of these 'Nutshell' books they are simply all you need after you have some experience of the product.

If you haven't used Photoshop before, this isn't the book for you. It (thankfully) assumes that you have a decent grasp of the software. I've used Photoshop for four years, and I thought I knew all there was to know -- but this book showed me how foolish I was! Photoshop is one of the most twisted, convoluted, and counter-intuitive programs ever. This book knows it, and presents the most complete and organized item-by-item descriptions I have ever seen. The Common Uses section puts every tool and command into its right context. The Common Errors clarified many mistakes that until now I had no idea how to address (it's like the author had been looking over my shoulder). The Special Notes section is filled with life-saving tidbits. Any of the step-by-step items in the 100-page Techniques Appendix is worth the price of the book alone. True, there are many, many cross-references ("to do this, see this, but to do that, see that...") But that's how Photoshop works! You can't do one thing without knowing another! Anyone looking for an easy way out should stick to their old MacPaint program. Anyone looking for serious, hardcore info should buy this book. Highly recommended.

As a long time Photoshop user and professional digital artist, I have found that most Photoshop books spend more time relating little stories than telling you about Photoshop. Photoshop in a Nutshell does *NOT* teach Photoshop: that isn't the goal (if you want hand-holding, you need to look elsewhere!) It gives you the facts about every filter, menu, tool, and palette in the program. My only complaint: The copy that I looked at only covers Photoshop 4... is there an update for the new features in PS5?