Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature by Matt Kloskowski Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature
Book Review: Better than my first Photoshop class
Summary: 5 Stars
I have taken a class on Photoshop already, and am amazed by the possibilities and just dying to know how to use all the features. I can already do a lot-since it's a great program-but I know there are better ways of doing things, and I know if I learn to use layers better that I could do so much more, but it just wasn't clicking in my head how they work or which mode to choose or whatever, or how to work with masks-this book is really changing that quickly, I am 90% through my copy and I just LOVE it.
This book clearly and concisely illustrates how the layer thing works while making it fun to follow along. I tried retouching images before and that's great, but I never thought to do the corrections on a separate layer, if I messed up or overdid it before I had to go back to the original and start over. Retouching is my favorite chapter. And I can't wait to try the painting with light technique on my own photos. Great book. I hope he writes another one soon on a different feature.
Book Review: Complete Guide---Not---
Summary: 2 Stars
After spending aprox 10 hours trying to follow along step by step and running into what I would consider errors or lack of import information, I think the author should have given this book to a few of his students who arent yet "Gurus" just to see if it was possible to get through even chapter 1 without having to make assumptions and/or critical adjustments that are not covered. Sort of like building an engine using the maintenance manual when you are instructed to bolt the cases together and then finding out later that the crankshaft was supposed to go in there first. Oh, you didnt know that? Well no, thats why I spent the money and made the effort to learn.......Please tell me what the steps are and in order please.
I am using CS2 and this book was clearly written for CS3 so there are some minor differences and that is to be expected, however that probably should be noted in the marketing of this book and its not.
Pg.16 opacity and fill need to be adjusted to acheive the result pictured in the book....not mentioned here.
Pg.19 fill the layer? Not the way the book tells you to do it. At least for CS2 its not.
Pg.20 quick selection tool to select background...selects too much which doesnt sound like a big deal but it is if you are a student trying to follow along and what you get isnt whats displayed in the book.
Pg.21 drag "couple photo" into your menu cover image and its "the perfect size" No its not, its too big so we have to stop all forward progress and try to figure out how to resize (after trying several times) the supplied images. Shouldnt be necessary.
These items and more should have been tested out long before publication by a few students; not by "The Photoshop Gurus".
Book Review: Awesome book!
Summary: 5 Stars
What an awesome book. I got mine in the mail yesterday. I only got through the first chapter last night (and I peeked ahead a little bit) ... I really like what I see. Matt explains how layers function in an easy to understand manner and demonstrates how all of the layers of your file interact with one another to create dramatic effects. Of course he does it all with his trademark Matt Kloskowski humor which is what truly makes the book a joy to read!
I definitely recommend this book ... A great book for a photoshopper of any level wanting to wrap their brain around layers!
Book Review: This book is correcting my poor layers behavior!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to tell you that this book is awesome. I have been Photoshop User since 1998 and in that time I have not taken advantage of layers properly. I received my book from Amazon It was preorder and it evan arrived before it was suppose to. I spent the day (at work, Opps. Just opened it to glance and I couldn't put it down) getting more than two thirds of the way through it doing every step and concept with the provided photos and then again with my own personal ones. The tips/shortcuts/walk throughs are just great. Matt K has done an excellent job!Book Review: If you use Photoshop, you should read this book.
Summary: 5 Stars
Matt does a fantastic job of demystifying layers in this well organized, well thought out book. From his explanation of what a layer is, all the way through the most complex layer techniques, Matt keeps everything simple and straightforward. I have seen him instruct in person and this book follows in the same style as his classes. Each chapter builds upon the last and moves you from the simple to the challenging while building your knowledge of each layer tool or technique.
So here is what I really like, the chapters or lessons are chock full of follow along exercises that demonstrate the concepts being explained (you can download all of the images used to follow along). Next is the fact that Matt doesn't delve to deeply into the math behind the tools. He just shows you that this does this and that does that. As I always say, "I don't need to know how the engine works, just how to drive the car."
What I don't like, it's just too short. This isn't a bad thing with the book, it's just that I enjoyed the lessons so much that I wish there were more of them. The great thing about layers is that people are always discovering new ways to use them. I guess that leaves room for a sequel.