Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers

            Martin Evening

            Focal Press

Martin Evening has written a comprehensive book about using PS CS4. The Chapters are color coded for easy reference. Evening begins with a chapter to introduce and familiarize the reader with the program, its tools and capabilities. He recommends everyone read this chapter and not skip it regardless of skill level. While assuming all is new to his reader, it is a good read of what is new with CS4 for the experienced user. And we all know, Photoshop is so broad and deep it is not possible to know everything about it.

Evening uses a style of writing that is easy to read and imparts knowledge without effort. The figures are clear and simple to read. Pertinent items are usually highlighted some way so the reader doesn’t have to search through the text a second time to find it. The author’s margin notes allow for quick reference.

The chapter “Configuring Photoshop” ought to increase ease and pleasure of software use as well as eliminate the mystery for the beginning user.

Evening brings many years of experience to us as a user, an author of other Photoshop books and as an alpha and beta tester for Adobe Photoshop. He keeps things simple and relevant to the needs of most photographers. He covers what is new in CS4 as well as the essential tools in Photoshop so event if this is the reader’s first experience with Photoshop, the ground work is here for them.

The help guide in the accompanying DVD is a great reference tool to use while working in Photoshop rather than referring back to the book. Each tool has its place in the user’s hands. This book will enhance the skills of any photoshop user.