Photoshop Artistry (formally Photoshop CS Artistry) is my all time favorite Photoshop book. Up until this new edition the book was updated for each new version of Adobe Photoshop and I have had the privilege of owning everyone of them. Also, up until this edition the only parts that were changed from edition to edition was what changed in Adobe Photoshop from one version to another. However, starting with Photoshop Artistry things have changed. No longer is an Adobe Photoshop version given in the name. In fact it says right on the cover "for Photographers Using Photoshop CS2 and Beyond", that beyond tells me this book instead of being updated with each version of Photoshop will be updated with new and improved techniques when needed, this I think will make it much more useful than just covering the new features in each version of Adobe Photoshop.

 

It is also important to note that this edition of Photoshop Artistry is brand new it has been fully re-written and re-deigned and all I can say is wow. Photoshop Artistry is a stunning book to behold, but it isn't all eye candy either. Photoshop Artistry is "THE" book on Adobe Photoshop and how to learn the program, how to get the most from it, how to work with your digital images with a focus on image color, exposure and restoration and how to make your images better overall. Sure the first chapters of the book deal with Photoshop tools and commands and such, but even those a focused on image improvement more than anything else.

 

This is a full color book loaded with tons of sample images and screen shots. While it is written for the more advanced user there are step-by-step instructions and with the help of the included sample images and screen shots I feel even a fairly new Adobe Photoshop user could make good use of this book. What I like most however is the information and techniques that are covered, they are all very practical and useful things that you will use over and over during your Photoshop lifetime.

 

Photoshop Artistry covers such topics as old photo restoration, selections, channels, masks and paths. Layers, layer masks and layer comps, camera raw, automating Photoshop, essential Photoshop techniques for photographers, digital imaging and the Zone System, color spaces, device characterization and color management and so much more (see the list of chapter below). This is a very complete and thorough book and just loaded with tons of useful information.

 

Chapters:

 

Chapter 1: How to Use Photoshop Artistry
Chapter 2: Preferences and Color Settings
Chapter 3: Navigating in Photoshop
Chapter 4: The Toolbox
Chapter 5: Picking and Using Color
Chapter 6: Selections, Channels, Masks and Paths
Chapter 7: Layers, Layer Masks and Layer Comps
Chapter 8: Transformation of Images, Layers, Paths and Selections
Chapter 9: Camera Raw
Chapter 10: Automating Photoshop
Chapter 11: Image Processing with Bridge
Chapter 12: Essential Photoshop Techniques for Photographers
Chapter 13: Color Correction Tools
Chapter 14: Digital Imaging and the Zone System
Chapter 15: Color Spaces, Device Characterization and Color Management
Chapter 16: Color Preferences, Calibration and Printing
Chapter 17: Image Resolution and Scanning
Chapter 18: The Master Image Workflow
Chapter 19: Making Selections
Chapter 20: Levels, Curves and Hue/Saturation
Chapter 21: Overall Color Correction
Chapter 22: Correcting Problem Images
Chapter 23: Replace Color, Color Range and Selective Color
Chapter 24: Color Matching Images
Chapter 25: Black and White and Duotones
Chapter 26: Restoring Old Photos
Chapter 27: Compositing Bracketed Photos
Chapter 28: Compositing Multiple Images
Chapter 29: Portrait Compositing
Chapter 30: Product Compositing
Chapter 31: Blend Modes, Calculations and Apply Image
Chapter 32: Digital Paint
Chapter 33: Contact Sheets, Picture Packages, Slide Shows and Web Photo Galleries
Chapter 34: Optimizing Images for the Web

 

That's right 34 chapters of glorious information on Adobe Photoshop and how to get the most from your digital images. This is one of the most complete, thorough and enjoyable books I have seen for Adobe Photoshop. If you're looking to buy your first book on Adobe Photoshop or your 100th, you "HAVE" to have this book.

 

A bonus DVD comes with the book that includes before and after images, masks, actions and custom menu and keyboard shortcuts to use with the tutorials contained in the book.

 

I would also like to give a big slap on the back to the people in charge of the re-design and re-write, you did a fantastic job. I didn't think it could be any better than what came before, but I was wrong. Magnifique!