Rating: 
Summary: So good, but left me wanting more!
Review: I bought my first photoshop program several months ago, and couldn't figure out how to work the darn thing (was use to Fireworks). So I went online to buy a book that was easier to understand than the Photoshop manual. I found this book and bought it, little did I know that it would make such cool effects so easy to learn.
Being a total newbie to Photoshop, I found this book to be alittle light on the instructional side (i.e. what's a layers palette pop-down menu), but once you figure that out, it is smooth sailing from there.
Very cool effects. Easy to read...and funny! This book kicks...! But now, I have done all of the effects, and I WANT MORE!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: This Book Rocks
Review: I recently upgraded to Photoshop 7 from Photoshop Elements. I was frustrated because it seemed to be easier to use elements and I couldn't figure out how to do some tasks in Photoshop 7 that I could using Photoshop Elements. After getting this book, it showed step by step how to do some great text and imaging f/x. Definately worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: This is the one
Review: As a veteran of Photoshop seminars where I forget most everything the next day, and having purchased several other PS tip books with drawn-out, tedious channel operations, this book's techniques seems to offer the greatest "wow" factor for the least amount of effort spent. You won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Photoshop books around
Review: If you're into Photoshop, then this is one book you'll need to buy. I bought it a few weeks ago and have learned some great stuff; matter of fact, I took a break from a lesson in it to go online and praise the writer. This is the kind of book I like: plenty of visuals and easy-to-understand writing. As an aside, there aren't many books that have such a warm dedication and introduction as this book does. I would go as far to say as this is the best Photoshop book I've ever purchased. I also have the "Photoshop 6 Wow" book, and that was close in competition with this one. There are other fine Photoshop books out there, and the bottom line is there isn't just one book for Photoshop enthusiasts. The Wow book shows in more detail how to use the Extract command to remove an object from a photo; and on the other hand this book does a simpler job of showing some of the lessons in the Wow book. Me, I'm glad I have both of them.
Rating:
Summary: I dove right in!
Review: I never used any verion of Photoshop before and I just got Photoshop 7 so I wanted a book to go with the program. I bought this book and dove right in. I was able to do all the projects step by step and I thought they were very well layed out, hardly leaving out any details. Once in a while I had a bit of trouble probably due to my inexperience with the program. Nevertheless, I brought each project to completion and fell in love with Photoshop while doing it. It's probably still a good idea to have some knowledge first and have a good handbook, but I'm the type that likes to see how cool things are done without all the technical explanations. I highly recommend this book! It's great fun!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding and Fun!
Review: This book is a terrific value for Photoshop 7 users. Sure you have the comprehensive and exhaustive Adobe Manual... but the great thing about "Down and Dirty Tricks" is you can dive right and and start using power techniques and simultaneously learn how to use Photoshop using the keyboard shortcuts and strategies of a pro. You'll have fun, and you'll learn to maximize Photoshop by doing things the "right" way, rather than the long way round. Kelby writes in a style that is breezy and humorous but crystal clear.
Rating: 
Summary: techniques illustrated step by step
Review: The format of this updated edition for Photoshop 7 is pretty much identical to the previous edition for Photoshop 6. If you already have that book, then perhaps this one may be redundant. Most of the concepts and techniques from that book have been duplicated in the current edition, with the addtition of a few new ones. However, it is refreshing to note that the author had taken the trouble to use completely new images and illustrations. Techniques are described and illustrated with corresponding color photos for each step, throughout the entire book. The structure of the book is very much "task-oriented" -- meaning, in order to create a certain visual effect, you follow a sequence of steps. For those who don't have the previous edition, and have some basic working knowledge of Photoshop, this book is certainly worth getting. It shows you some really neat ideas.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best!!
Review: AS a recent graduate of a web design program I found this book to be both pratical and inspirational. The steps are easy to follow and produce fantastic results which have helped add some energy to my work. For anyone interested in Photoshop 7 this is the must have book.
Rating:
Summary: It's Gooood
Review: this was one of teh first photoshop books i bought, along with another of Scott Kelby's books Photoshop for Digital Photographers, they are both great and make an excellent reference pair. Down and Dirty tricks was infinitely helpful to me, before it i really didn't know how to use any of the good tools in photoshop, and even though the book is set up as seperate instructions on how to make specific projects (which can be rather helpful at times so you can just jump in and start), I learned techniques and tricks that i use everyday in photoshop, and the side bars in this book help almost as much as the main content, giving you keyboard shortcuts and extra info. Although this book is not very indepth about advanced concepts in photoshop, it shows you how to do alot of neat stuff and Scott Kelby is a funny author so its not as dry as some of the other photoshop books I have read.
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