Comments about O'Reilly Media Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual:

I only have one screen, so I don't have enough screen real estate to watch little videos that show snippets of how to use some element of the interface. I checked out several books at the bookstore and this one seemed to be the most comprehensive. Since I've been thrust into doing graphics at work, this book has already earned its keep. I am learning a LOT! It even explains how to communicate with printers concerning 4-color print jobs, something I'm finding not many people know how to do.

I value my purchases for the useful information they impart, and my ability to find and use that information successfully. I disagree with the other reviewer who rated the book poorly because of the book's writing and organization; it was not an impediment.

However, a bit of information on tablet use would be welcome; I know a few photographers who use them.

Comments about O'Reilly Media Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual:

Although reasonably organized and containing a fair amount of information, this is definitely not for someone who is learning PS CS5 (which begs the question of who it is written for). Instead of an included CD/DVD with example and practice files. the reader is referred to a web site that contains well over 100 separate links to download. Assuming a reader has the patience to download them all, the files are not all that useful, since there is little information given in the text. On page 88, for example, the reader is introduced to layers, where duplicating and copying are used to enhance a file. Unfortunately, all that is given in the text is the starting and ending picture, with no steps or explanation of how to get from one place to another (isolate a segment on the background layer, copy it and expand the canvas size to add it in, maintain the background color and size, etc.). This continues throughout the book, where practice examples are few and far between, and not all that useful when they do appear.

If you're an experienced PS CS5 user, you don't need this book. If you're just starting out, it provides very few useful examples, and you're probably better off looking elsewhere.

Comments about O'Reilly Media Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual:

I have used PSE 6 and 8 for a while and decided to upgrade to CS5. While things are somewhat similar, there are many different things.There are so many things to learn This book for me, is one of the easiest if not the best guide for starting out in Photoshop.

The very best things about this book are:

1. It is so easy to follow and understand. No techinical mumbo jumbo to clutter my mind! Just straight to the point info with plenty of examples. There is soooo much to learn about this monster called Photoshop and too much technical stuff gives me brain freeze!I purchased another Photoshop how to guide and no matter how I tried I just could not follow it. I was soo confused!

2. Organization. I love the way the book is organized. It starts out at the beginning with the very bone basics! It assumes you know nothing about the program, and builds from there. It breaks everything down into sections that are easy to digest!

I keep this book with me and practice the techniques as I read. I highlight, make notes, reread and then try the techniques again. That helps me retain what I just read.

The only things that bothered me about the book is that it is written from the Mac point of view. All of the Mac instructions and picture shots kind of took me a while to get used to. I wish there would have been a separate book for Windows. It's not bad, just a personal thing.

Another thing is that I wish there were more specific instructions for Digital Scrapbookers, and Photographers. I know there is a page suggesting the best use of the books for photographers, but a bit more detail would have been nice.

Overall I think this book is the best book for beginners in Photoshop. It is soo easy to follow and understand. I would and do recommend it to my friends using Photoshop.

Comments about O'Reilly Media Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual:

The book's acknowledgments give credit to "all the brave little grapes who so valiantly sacrificed their lives so this book could be written." It certainly appears to be an accurate dedication given the rambling and disjointed prose that inflicts this book. Perhaps the author should have passed on the wine and paid more attention to writing.

The author's tongue-in-cheek, often flippant, handling of the material in the book makes it hard to take anything presented seriously or as coming from someone with expertise in the subject matter. Many areas are given short shrift, such as color management and third party add-ons. The book also has a rather jumpy sort of style to it. Many things are briefly mentioned then the reader is referred to a latter part of the book (in some cases the reader must jump around in the book several times to get a clear understanding of what the author is attempting to get across). This style might work with other subject matter, but Photoshop is just too involved for that sort of almost constant redirectional approach. As far as positives go, there are some good examples of usage of some difficult tools that many are intimidated by (pen tool for example).

While I'd view the book as an asset, the overly casual writing style, jumpy organization, and lack of depth in several key areas make this a book I can't recommend. There are much better efforts on the subject matter available.

Comments about O'Reilly Media Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual:

Photoshop CS5 The Missing Manual is the book you should buy first and will refer to most often.

It is well and clearly written so that you don't need to read some other book to understand this one. Excellent and complete tutorials teach you how to use the most important tools. It is well organized and referenced so you can find what you need to know when you need it, It is also interesting and pleasant reading.

You will refer to Photoshop CS5 The Missing Manual the most because it covers all the Photoshop concepts and information you need, and because it is so well organized. There is a special listing for photographers of the material they will need.