Photoshop 7 Down & Dirty Tricks

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Summary: Photoshop recipies
Review: For the beginning to intermediate Photoshop user, this is a really cool book. It is just a collection of recipies leading to tasty finished products. If the pictures of the finished pieces look good to you, just follow the recipie to make it. After creating a number of these pieces, those learning PSP will begin to understand how certain core functions of the software work. It's up to them to strike out on their own using these concepts to create new artwork. This book doesn't pretend to be an all-encompassing guide to the details of PSP. It's a guide in how to create cool stuff. And those learning the software will love the fact that they can create pretty impressive stuff by following the recipies.

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Summary: Not that great
Review: This book is for beginning to intermediate users of Photoshop, so graphics professionals, or anyone who relies on Photoshop to do their job, should beware. The "tricks" aren't that special, and the text is ponderous in the author's attempt at wry humour.

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Summary: Not many secrets
Review: The title is Down & Dirty Secrets but there are not many secrets in this book. Illustrations and step by step guidance to recreate the "tricks" are well done. It's an OK reference but I'm not sure the world needs another book of this stuff.

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Summary: Photoshop 7 Down & Dirty Tricks
Review: Scott Kelby has a way or writing books for the adverage person, but puts enough interesting information in there for experienced graphic designers. Photoshop 7 Down & Dirty Tricks is the top book of his in my opinion. You could start on any page and pick up something fun and interesting to work on. If you take the time, you even get friendly support from Scott in straight terms. When I read it, I get a sense of ease in being able to figure out how to create really cool tricks in a short amount of time. I could see some people being dissappointed in the book for this. Instead of diving deep into any design concepts or photoshop tools, he focuses right on particular effects. Once you complete the book, if you feel the need to read it from cover to cover, you may feel cheated if you're the kind of person who likes in depth explainations of tools and filters of photoshop. I see this book being best for someone who already has a basic understanding of photoshop and wants to pick up a few really cool tricks here and there. If it's the first time you're working with photoshop, you'll be able to put together some really impressive artwork in no time. I think the extent of your photoshop abilities will be pretty limited in the long run if you choose this book as your source of learning a highly developed graphics application, however. It's comparible to learning a couple songs on guitar, but skipping all the principals that could help you in playing or writing whatever song you want to.

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Summary: Change you world?
Review: If you idea of photography is like the "Crock Hunter's" idea of nature. This book is for you. If you find fascinating beautiful images all around to document. Pass.

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Summary: Not bad for the money
Review: I'm totally new to Photoshop. I adapt quickly though. I feel like I have developed a very good understanding of layers and effects from following the examples in the book. I'm not into downloading the same exact examples that refer to the book; I like to follow the directions and either do exactly what the author did or substitute with my own graphics. This book is so well done that I was able to do just that. It's very well written. So from a beginners standpoint; I was able to get up and running in no time with this book; that says alot about the book and it's content. I would have liked a little more detail as far as getting those space aged colors and effects (in the same detail as the projects) in his final examples. But for the price; I'm absolutely satisfied. I only go to the bookstores to actually look through the books i'm interested in; then I head on over here (amazon) for the reviews and for the savings.

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Summary: A nice set of "Ooh, cool!" PS7 tricks
Review: While it's certainly worth the time and effort to learn about Photoshop's features and functions the hard way, sometimes it's nice to just be able to whip out a cool effect in a few minutes. Scott Kelby gives users dozens of sample projects, as well as hundreds of individual tips and tricks, in a step-by-step format that even beginners can follow.

The effects are divided by broad category (type effects, photo effects, drop-shadow effects, etc.), which is helpful if you sort of know what you want your finished effect to look like -- but, it's also fun just to browse the book and try something that looks interesting. Kelby's writing style is clear, but funny at the same time; you certainly shouldn't get bored working your way through any of the effects. Also, his concise yet informative step-by-step captions will give new and experienced users material for further experimentation and tweaking.

Some reviews have commented that certain sections contained errors. I haven't worked my way through every single section of the book yet, but of those I have (roughly two-thirds) there have been no glaring errors or omissions. This isn't to say there aren't typos or errors; I'm sure there probably are, just as there are in almost every book. I haven't found any that have detracted from the value or clarity of the book, however.

PS7 Down & Dirty Tricks really isn't a "learn PS7" book, so I don't recommend it for that purpose, though it is instructional. Buy a good, comprehensive book first, and then buy this one so you can have some quick fun when you bog down on channels, paths, or some other confusing topic in your "big" book. Highly recommended!

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Summary: Try another book
Review: Special effects cookbooks may have a place in the Photoshop world. Still, some are in better taste than others. If you want a really engaging book of this type, buy instead Froebisch et. al., Photoshop 6 Cookbook. The effects you'll practice there are stunning. Those in the Kelby book may leave you feeling, "Huh? Why? So what?"

Rating:
Summary: This book's missing some steps!
Review: Just bought this book, flipped thru it, tried the very first effect on page 68 "Blending Images for Instant Collages" and it didn't work!

Is there an online forum or helpdesk for this book that I can seek advice? Or anyone kind enough to post the missing steps here?

Thanks.

Rating:
Summary: This book's missing some steps!
Review: Just bought this book, flipped thru it, tried the very first effect on page 68 "Blending Images for Instant Collages" and it didn't work!

Is there an online forum or helpdesk for this book that I can seek advice? Or anyone kind enough to send me an email regarding the missing step(s)? My email addy is [e-mail]

Thanks.