Adobe Photoshop CS5 Classroom in a Book Paperback – January 1, 2000

This book is designed for the reader, using Lightroom 5, to perform prescribed editing changes to sample images provided by Adobe Creative Team. The idea is that if the reader or user of Lightroom 5 follows these editing instructions on the provided sample images, they will achieve the same or nearly the same results with their Lightroom 5 as the writer of the Classroom in a Book achieved. The results couldn't be farther from the truth. Even with professionally calibrated dual digital displays, my results were completely and noticeably different from that of the author. I tried using a different computer with Lightroom 5 installed with exactly the same results. I could find no support for this problem from Adobe's Website support pages. For this reason, I found the interactive portion of this publication to be useless. And since the primary instructional value of this book is in the interactive use of the supplied sample images in accordance with the author's instructions and his expected results, I find this publication to be of little value.

There are things I really liked about this book and things I really didn't like.The primary thing I didn't like was the approach they took to the exercises. For instance in the section on adjusting color in Camera Raw, they tell you specifically (by number) where to move the temperature, tint, exposure, blacks, contrast, clarity, vibrance, and saturation sliders, but there is no discussion as to why these amounts for this image work. This problem goes on throughout the book. I'd say that's a pretty huge weakness.On page 118 there is a pull out box with the headline "About layer-comps" that has 3 paragraphs talking about how great layer comps are. (It's a way to look at different versions of complicated multi-layer PS file.) But it doesn't tell you how to create one, or even mention that there is a complete discussion of the subject that begins on page 242.But the things I did like make this book worth purchasing. At the end of each section are review questions and answers. The answers are wonderful, brief and to the point. And there are other golden nuggets of information sprinkled throughout the chapters and book. For instance in the section on Working with channels it says, "To avoid confusing channels and layers, think of channels as containing an image's color and selection information; think of layers as containing painting and effects." While I knew that intuitively from working with them so much, I could never have explained it so simply.The section on creating paths using the pen tool that starts on page 202 is the best description I have read. I've used the pen tool a lot, and I've been putting too many points in because I didn't really understand it. I dog-eared this section so I can find it quickly. I ended up adding 9 such dog-ears throughout the book.The section on the mixer brush was also very well done, and another area I was not up to speed on. I had been going over to Corel Painter for most of my painting issues, and it looks as though that may not be necessary.So while this book has examples that I didn't find useful, it is worth reading every word because you never know when there will be some wonderful explanation that you hadn't heard. I mean it was written by the people who created Photoshop '

I have been a long time user of Elements and am comfortable with most of its capabilities, including layers and filters. When I upgraded to CS5, I needed a book to teach me this much more complex program. I'm well into CS5 Classroom in a Book now and believe it's an excellent teacher.The book contains 14 lessons, each covering several tools or processes. Each is short but intense. The screen captures are very clear with red arrows directing you to the action. The text is clear and concise, each sentence covering so much that I found it useful to skim the entire lesson first, then go back and do each step in sequence.There is a DVD with images for all 14 lessons. The images provided are carefully selected to clearly support each lesson, not to show off the authors' superior talent.The DVD also has a couple of hours of tutorials, somewhat better than the stuff you can find on the Internet.Finally, most of the critical reviews note that this book tells you what to do but not always why to do it. I agree with this comment but suggest there's a reason for this method. For instance, the authors say to set a slider to a certain percentage, with no explaination of why that number. I move the slider above and below the suggested number and observe the effect on the image or the tool. By doing so, I begin to understand what that number means. This is learning by doing, the overarching technique of this book.The authors do explain the numbers when it is important to do so (as in Threshold for Unsharp Mask) but to explain every number, in my view, would add many pages and greater complexity to an already complex subject.So if you already use Elements and are thinking of moving up to Photoshop, this book will help you make that leap.

In year 2010- i didn't get to finish my education at academy of art university- online- as a graphic design major taking after my own sister dorcas Elaine Rodriguez wood who graduated with a graphic arys certificate from howard career center in wilmington, delaware..1 of my heroes...yet ..atleast I also have the classroom in a book series...to learn of - art & design..Oops..also bought the ps..from Paris- us edition novel..-? 2017..Peace to Nikki smith..& daughters Paris & dallas..

Great!

This book is a very good for whoever wants to do self study of Lightroom. I have mastered my photography skills reading this book and of course lots of practice with the same.

Easy tutorials. Great for someone wanting to learn photoshop.

Book in great shape, but missing tutoring DVD ROM.

It is excellent

The book itself seems very good, but it's not usable as a learning tool because there is no link to find the project files online for the Kindle version.

This book was written for intermediate users, no step by step.

I am thoroughly satisfied with all my Adobe products.

it is a good book for beginners

Great!!