Tech Tool Review » scott kelby

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Book for Digital Photographers

RustyHill — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:07:22 +0000

Scott Kelby in The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Book for Digital Photographers provides a easy to use guide to Lightroom 3 for both the novice and intermediate user. Scott describes how to use Lightroom 3 in simple easy, and easy to follow steps. If you have liked Scott’s other books like the Digital Photography Book, then you won’t be disappointed. Also, if you are looking for a gift for a photographer who recently upgraded to Lightroom 3 and likes step-by-step instruction, I would consider this book as a good gift.

One of the nice touches that Scott uses in this book is at the top of each page he highlights which module he discusses. The photographs and screenshots used for illustrations are clear and easy to read. And they illustrate each step.

Chapters
The chapters in The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Book for Digital Photographers follow the typical process that a photographer may use when utilizing Lightroom 3.

Importing –getting your photos into light room
Library–how to organize your photos
Customizing–how to set up things your way
Editing essentials–how to develop your photos
Local adjustments–how to edit just part of your images
Problem photo–fixing common problems
Exporting images–saving JPEGS, TIFFS, and more
Jumping to Photoshop–how and when to do it
In black and white– converting from color to black and white
Slideshow–creating presentations of your work
The big print–printing your photos
Web galleries–getting your photos on the web
My portrait workflow–my step-by-step process from the shoot to the final print
7-point system–my seven points in Lightroom

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Book for Digital Photographers provides a comprehensive step-by-step learning guide.

Contact: New Riders

Cost: $49.99 USD, $59.99 CAN, £30.99 UK

The Digital Photography Book, Vols. 1-3

RustyHill — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 08:22:52 +0000

Virtual Photo Pro In Print
Imagine you’re out taking pictures in the field. The lighting is tricky, but no worries, as you have Scott Kelby standing behind your shoulder. He’s softly providing quick tips and guidance to improve that one shot. If, like most amateur to semi-professional photographers, you can’t afford a personal tutoring session with Scott Kelby, then reading his three short volumes is the next best thing. And the lighting turns out picture perfect.

Fits in Your Camera Bag
Each of the three short volumes are conveniently sized to fit in individual camera bags, allowing readers to pull them out for quick review.

Scott does a nice job keeping his photo tips short, concise and with a dash of humor. His books don’t provide boring, dry technical jargon. These volumes can be read cover-to-cover, or use the detailed contents index to easily access specific how-to chapters on fixing specific photo problems.

These three books on digital photography are highly recommended for beginners, intermediates to expert photographers. It’s interesting how one can reread a topic, and a new point will jump out and catch your attention. These books are the kind that will easily be dog-eared, well used, and definitely recommended.

Contact: Peachpit Press
Cost: Each volume is priced at $24.99 US; $29.99 CAN; £13.99 UK

Photoshop Elements 8 Book 4 Digital Photographers

RustyHill — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:07:39 +0000

Just For Digital Images
Photoshop Elements 8 offers far more than expected for photo editing, yet it’s format and function keys are pretty easy to figure out. And the software offers beginners to advanced users a wide range of uses. The Photoshop Elements 8 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski focuses on the needs of intermediate to advanced digital photographers.

Get Organized
The first two chapters focus on Organization of pictures, importing meta data and working with RAW, or JPEG files. Don’t skip these chapters, as they provide insight how to file, upload and organize your pictures. Just like painting, a bit of prep work saves you a whole lot of time and effort.

Most chapters are written with 4 to 5 step tips, and numerous pictures to show the before, changes and after effects. After the first two chapters, the authors expect readers to jump around learning different techniques, and improving their images.

In Chapter 5, common mistakes photographers make and how to fix them are outlined, and visually displayed. It is so much easier to look at a picture, see how it’s corrected, then have to read a long paragraph.

Concentrates on Main Photography Points
Various chapters focus on fixing color, shadow, touching up faces, layout, fit to print, plus black and white conversion. In addition, the authors note limitations of various techniques and tools, letting you know what photographers can and can’t accomplish. And both authors draw in their readers with their quirky sense of humor.

If you feel Photoshop CS4 is a bit challenging, consider Photoshop Elements 8. It’s not Photoshop CS4′s little brother anymore, but has it’s own unique features. The authors provide interesting workarounds, quick tips and ingenious ways to replicate Photoshop CS4 features.

Contact:www.newriders.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN; £29.99 UK