By Daniel M. East info@mamugs.com

DESCRIPTION (What's it do? What's it got?)

Once again, Scott Kelby (Editor of Photoshop User magazine) has come out with a "must own" book that gives you all of the coolest features of a product, explained in a way that nearly anyone can actually try for themselves. Yet again, I find myself "dog-ear" crazy with almost as many corners as there are pages in this fun book of knowledge. If you have Photoshop CS, you have to have this book. Experience level isn't the key since even the most expert Photoshop users will love this latest offering.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Like other Kelby books, this one is not only full of information that you will just want to try and play with, but it looks good, too. Beautifully laid out and designed in its own right, each page features great sidebar info and tips that further help make the most of Adobe's flagship product.

LIKES

As mentioned, it looks great, reads great and sidebars are full of info. In particular, there are tips that will help small and home business users look like they've spent thousands on marketing when they've simply done it all themselves. Digital photography, text effects, logo designs and advertising design tricks are all there and explained so that anyone can really do them all. It is fun to suddenly have Kelby's help to make that light bulb over your head light up.

DISLIKES

I want more! If you are listening, Scott; how about volume 2?!

HOW DOES THIS PRODUCT COMPARE?

While there are a few decent Photoshop CS books, none give you this kind of "coolness factor." This is not only great information that isn't in textbook format, but it looks great teaching you to use Photoshop CS in the way it was intended...your way. If you haven’t got CS yet, the tricks described in the book can all be completed with Photoshop 7.

WHO MIGHT ENJOY THIS PRODUCT?

Again, if you have Photoshop CS, you must have this book.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ok, so it's no secret that I'm a Kelby fan. Every time I watch him present, I learn something. The same goes for his books and videos. I have used Photoshop in its various carnations since v1.0 and still feel that I have a lot to learn about it. The key, for me, is in keeping my interest and showing me things I can really use - both as a professional and for home use - so that I can produce the kind of images that I envision in my own head.

OVERALL RATING

5 out of 5 stars – EXCELLENT

For more information, visit

http://www.scottkelby.com/

(c)2004 Daniel M. East for The Mid-Atlantic Macintosh User Groups Team (MaMUGs) info@mamugs.com - http://www.mamugs.org

All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
(c)2003 Daniel M. East for The Mid-Atlantic Macintosh User Groups Team (MaMUGs) info@mamugs.com · http://www.mamugs.org

MACinations March 04