Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: One of the best CS3 books out there
Comment: I've been working with Mark's book at my side for about a month now; it's clearly the best, most easily organized Photoshop book I've ever used. Every section of it taught me something new, or re-introduced me to concepts that I thought I had known but were made clearer and easier to use. I have had the pleasure of working with Mark on a couple of occasions conducting lighting workshops, so I know first-hand his excellent teaching skills. He brings them all to this book; its content and organization are first rate. Even though the book is organized primarily around restoration and retouching, it covers the whole spectrum of Photoshop and demonstrates indispensable skills for any photographer, at any skill level. I particularly found his section on file management (chapter 5: Getting Organized) to be the clearest, most easily applied description to be found anywhere, but every chapter in the book is equally content rich and superbly organized. There's a ton of Photoshop books out there (I think I have at least half of them!) but this is hands-down the best.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Photoshop CS3 Restoration and Retouching Recommend for Digital Photographers
Comment: For a photographer who is new to Photoshop CS3 and it's amazing complexity as digital manipulation software, it can be intimidating to use. What is helpful about a technical book like "Restoration and Retouching Bible" is that it makes it easy to understand and use. The book is well written by the author who has a clear understanding of the software and it's tools. The first 200 pages are designed to help you understand the fundamentals and tools to succeed as a digital photographer manipulating digital images. I recommend this book as a great resource for entry level upgrade from Photoshop elements users to experienced Photoshop CS3 photographers.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fast & Easy reference tool!
Comment: Excellent Reference guide, April 8, 2008
I have been a photoshop user for a couple of years, but tend to only edit the obvious such as exposure, color balance, maybe the contrast and/or sharpness and then I'm done. It wasn't until recently that I have been using various layers to enhance my images and im finding that I still lack confidence with the abundance of tools and options CS3 has to offer. I relate these inadequacies to sporadic practice. Like anything, practice makes perfect, and if you don't use it... you loose it. Since photoshop isn't my full time job, I find that I forget minor details more often than not. This is where "The Photoshop Bible," comes in as an amazing resource. First of all the table of contents is written very well. Being able to look up a specific tool or scenario, fast (portraiture, architecture) is vital to a 500 page book of information. This book is relatively new to me and I have already used it several times as reference and im happy I did. Each time I have used the book, I start by scanning the index, after finding the page and reading into it I always find additional information that helps me perform the task more effectively. I also find that his dialogue makes for an easy read that's comprehendible the first time read.
I would recommend this book to anyone serious about photoshop, who doesn't have the time to continually practice and learn the new tricks because this author makes it easy! It's easy to find what your looking for and it's easy to read, understand and perform what the author says!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A superbly written "How To" with universal appeal
Comment: As an architectural photographer, who has been using Photoshop since version 2, I intended this book as merely an occasional reference guide. Due to the title, I anticipated that some areas of the book would have little relevance to me. Not the case. I was delighted to find it was written with universal relevance. When working with a program for as long as I have Photoshop, certain approaches become habit and I at times fail to become familiar with many new program functions without frequent periodic review. This book's author is able to organize and communicate clearly, through examples, the principles behind the program and its new features in a way that all users would benefit. I am not accustomed to writing reviews or recommendations, but I feel it is well deserved here.
Customer Rating:
Summary: An important resource
Comment: Don't be fooled by the "Restoration and Retouching Bible" title because this book offers substantially more for anyone wishing to develop a firm understanding of the post capture phase of digital photography. Starting with a comprehensive examination over all aspects of the digital image (for instance, the value of histograms), as well as how vital a file management system is; the author knows the importance of laying this foundation of knowledge before proceeding with Photoshop and retouching skills.
You are fully a third into the book before retouching and restoration is covered and Mr. Fitzgerald does not leave anything out, covering all aspects of working with old damaged photos or problem complexion; there is even a section on architecture. The big plus for this book are the sample images that can be downloaded from a web site to follow along with the work flow examples in the training, so that at each stage the reader can compare their results.
Training books are tough to write and keep engaging, but the author's tone and language shows both a strong understanding and deep commitment to the photographic image. He also does not favor Mac world; respecting the growing percentage of Photoshop users on Windows as well. This book will be an important resource for many photographers regardless of their specialty or level of expertise.
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