Are you the type that doesn't want to read an entire book just to get a quick answer? Do you like step by step instructions? Normally step by step instructions means that you need to do the entire book in order. This is great when you are learning to use an application and actually make something as well. But for the times when you want a quick answer AND get it step by step, this book fits the bill.

This book is a step by step reference. It is laid out in a very logical manner and covers the huge range of subjects for Photoshop CS. You can even use it if you have previous versions of Photoshop. The appendix lists all the new features of Photoshop CS and Image Ready CS.

I always love good quality paper in a book and this one not only has great paper but the layout is clean and crisp. Each task includes features such as tips, keyboard shortcuts and cross references. Another feature I particularly like is the interface images have letters in the image to match the description. This makes it easier for you to match the feature in writing to the feature in the interface. This is also done for many of the dialog boxes. There are also PC and MAC screen shots. When the MAC is different, a screen shot is included to show the difference.

Chapters 1-5 includes tasks covering the interface and tools.

Chapters 6-18 has tasks that are universal, such as opening, saving, working with color, canvas, selections, layers, masks, fills, filters, styles, paths, typography and automation. As you can see this covers a huge amount of information and tasks required to tap into the power of Photoshop.

Chapters 19-22 covers photos and videos.

Chapters 23-25 covers print tasks.

Chapters 26-29 covers web tasks.

If you want an answer fast or simply need to brush up on a new technique or tool then this book is the perfect step by step Photoshop CS reference book! When I want to get a quick answer, I reach for this book. I can easily use the index to locate the tool/task I need, go to it, do, it and get out.

This book starts with the basics. If you've never loaded a movie into your computer (like me) then the authors walk you through those steps. I found it to be a great help. I had never used Movie Maker before and was able to get into it pretty easily. You may need to get a book for iMovie or Movie Maker if you are new to these types of apps (doesn't teach these programs). But I was able to pick it up pretty easily.

This book is a cookbook of digital video recipes; you can skip around the book and choose the effect you want to achieve. The steps are thoroughly explained and easily performed. There are a bunch of creative suggestions sprinkled throughout the book. There are movies samples provided for your use for both iMovie and Movie Maker!

So you are probably wondering what types of effects you can achieve. A few of my favorites include:

Dealing with adverse lighting

Glamour shots

Sporting events

Vintage slapstick

Sound narrating

Rolling credits

The projects are fun and very well written. If you want to learn some new techniques to spice up your home movies then this book is for you. There are directions for exporting for use on DVD, CD-ROM or for the internet.

The CD has a ton of useful tools such as sound files, sample clips for all 50 projects, demo software.

I've just gone through this book and am I impressed. Theres no technical jargon, nor does the author talk down to us, it's like she is sitting next to me and walking through every single step. The really helpful part is that there are many concepts that are not only explained "how" to do them but "why".

When I saw there was a supporting Web site I decided to test it out and see if a real person responded. She did and was quite helpful and pleasant, this author does care about us.

The CD, well.. one of the CDs that come with the book had some bonus movie tutorials included. I had to unzip them but hey that's no big deal. I'd rather do that than not get them at all because of CD space (explained in the readme). I've worked with the Bezier tool before but was real clumsy when it came to editing them. The beziercurves movie really helped me finally grasp the idea.

Ok, so what's in the book? I did a quick count and there are over 50 different projects and

exercises, and not your token scribbles to demonstrate a point, but real usable interfaces that I can reproduce myself. I liked the fact that I wasn't teased with a picture of a whole Web interface, and then only get the instructions for one small part of how to make it. Fireworks 4 f/x and Design includes many samples of the entire Web site or interface. There are even tips on how to place those pesky pop-up menus in Dreamweaver and how to edit them.

This book helped me realize the degree of image editing I could really do in Fireworks. I had no idea how great it was for things like tonal control, the levels command and other color adjustments. You'll find collages made using masking techniques, plenty of navigation solutions, learn how to make your own commands and use special effects.

The second CD has comping images for use in presentations to clients that you can use to demo an idea which really saves me a lot of time when I'm doing a quick mock up. I really dislike searching for a sample image.

I appreciate the fact that prior to a project being taught the techniques to perform it has been previously shared. For being a design book, it's pretty comprehensive and is a no nonsense book without any of the gratuitous babble that is so often found. My overall impression is that this book is a rare find and there are plenty of ideas that will return my money to me many times.

I was really impressed with this book, not only is it a Who's who of great photoshop instructors but it actually has valuable projects. I've seen big names before and often they give you projects that tease and not really valuable.

The projects in this book are quite impressive and are more advanced than normal. If you are looking for a beginners book then please don't buy this one, it means it when it says intermediate to advanced. But if you want to expand your Photoshop skills with techniques such as recreating a full studio environment with shadows and reflections, neon painting using blending modes (I've never seen anyone teach it like this before). There are shadows, reflections, clouds (great clouds, not the simple ones using just a filter), some restoration and algorithmic painting as well. This just touches the surface.

The layout is easy to follow and the steps are complete and not vaque. The full color layout throughout makes each project feel special. Ok, I admit I have a book fetish and I appreciate good quality paper, nice layout and color, it just seems to put me in the right frame of mind to do the project. After all, the book wouldn't do me any good if I didn't feel motivated enough to pick it up and actually use it <g>.

This one is a fantastic value for the money and I would highly recommend it to any aspiring "intermeiate to advanced" user.