Design Bookshelf for designers, desktop publishing, graphics and digital photography

reviewed by Fred Showker, DTG Magazine Being an university instructor of Photoshop myself, I appreciate what it takes to prepare lessons, and then orchestrate the elements into an enriching experience for the students. Romaniello has done a brilliant job in assembling and teaching the quintessential aspects of Photoshop. List Price: $50.00 Our Price: $35.00 Save: $15.00 (30%) Paperback: 704 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.26 x 8.96 x 7.54, Publisher: Sybex; Bk&Cd-Rom edition I cannot fairly compare this book to Bouton's "Inside Photoshop" series (landmark books in their own right). So I won't. The 'lessons' approach positions Savvy squarely up against the Adobe Photoshop Classroom books which are targeted mainly for the very beginner, and leaves one somewhat unsatisfied in many of the exercises. Photoshop 7 Savvy on the other hand positions itself well into the intermediate range yet includes enough of the basics to "pull" the beginner into more advanced material sooner and more confidently. It also includes material on the high-end aspects of using Photoshop in a professional venue -- something few other books address but something all Photoshop users should at least be exposed to. Unlike the Adobe Classroom books, Savvy should have a much longer life and therefore represents a higher value to the buyer. Photoshop's complexity can be confounding even to experienced users. I ran most of the lessons In Photoshop 7 Savvy and learned techniques I had not known before -- even as a twelve-year veteran of the program. Romaniello's Mastering Photoshop 6 was a wonderful book on the subject, but Savvy goes an extra mile to combine theory with practical techniques -- and make them stick. Photoshop 7 Savvy features two kinds of chapters: teaching chapters and hands-on tutorial chapters. there's a 32-page full-color section showcasing color-related examples, and the included CD-ROM provides you with the work files for each of the hands-on chapters. The Photoshop Core section contains a good general survey of Photoshop regardless of version. It handles color well and covers retouching and manipulating of images confidently. There are also sections devoted to the Web, ImageReady and digital video. (Unnecessary in my opinion, but more added value just the same.) The appendices contain tool descriptions, file formats, blending modes, and other ancilarry yet essential boilerplate. Photoshop 7 Savvy is well done and will represent a good value whether you're a student or in the graphic arts, publishing, printing, photography, or web design fields. Even though it's serious training, beginners should not shy away from it. They'll be advancing faster than they might with many of the other books on the market today. If you're a University level instructor or professional trainer, you should seriously consider the book as a required text. It's a perfect companion book for 200 to 300 level curricula in a graphic arts, design or fine arts program. The lessons can fit most lab periods, and best of all you won't be embarrassed to send your students on to the higher levels or into the professional world! I plan to add it to my class' book list next semester. "Photoshop Savvy is a superbly competent training source for any Photoshop user!" Fred Showker Editor/Publisher, DT&G Magazine PS: Like all Savvy books, Photoshop 7 Savvy is printed on quality, coated paper for crisp image reproduction and it doesn't skimp on visuals either! My only quibble is the type is a bit small and light for over-40 reading comfort. Photoshop 7 Savvy with CDROM by Steve Romaniello List Price: $50.00 Our Price: $35.00 You Save: $15.00 (30%) Paperback: 704 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.26 x 8.96 x 7.54, Publisher: Sybex; Bk&Cd-Rom edition (June 15, 2002)