Others say...

"not for real beginners"
The author obviously knows his stuff, but I would never recommend this book if you are truly new to Photoshop. It was not at all helpful to me. Usually I can rely on the "Dummies" series for a good introduction to a topic. But in this case, the book was not the typical "Dummies" guide. Probably a good reference source if you have been using Photoshop for a long time.

"winner in many ways"
Photoshop CS3 for Dummies
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)

Authors: Peter Bauer
Publisher: Wiley
Released: 2007
Pages: 396
$25 SA
30 Canada
16 UK
ISBN: 0-978-0-470-11193-2
Strengths: Well laid, easy to use and in color. Price is well worth it.
Weaknesses: No Cd
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced

Rating: 5/5

Photoshop is the premier graphics manipulation application. From humble beginnings, this program has developed into a "blockbuster," getting better and better, adding new features all the time. While there are many graphics programs that can do some of the tasks, Photoshop is the one that offers the most power and flexibility for the graphic professional. Now with the latest version, Photoshop CS3 has arrived at the next level. Using all the functions is not always easy. To meet that need, a guide for this version , Photoshop CS3 for Dummies, has been published. And many Photoshop users will find this book useful for a variety of reasons.
The author is Photoshop World Dream Team Instructor and is the author of graphic books, a host for video training titles and much more. His experiences in the field of graphics are displayed in this book and shows his excellent style, knowledge of graphics, and the Photoshop program.
The book spans 396 pages in five sections and twenty chapters. The pages and tutorials are well laid out. There is much white space so the text is not cramped and is very easy to read. Photos and and illustrations are in full color. Tutorials are aided by bold titles, numbered sections and steps. Like many of the dummies books, there are also icons which highlight tips, new features, warnings, technical stuff, remember(ing important information).
I really like this book for the many reasons. It is guidebook, resource guide and is very readable for the novice to the advanced. There is a fine and well done section learning about and using RAW images (ch.7), fine tuning fixes (ch.8), using images in text messages (ch.13), a well laid section on using unsharp mask and working with filters which includes an excellent table(ch.15).
This book is a great buy for many reasons, This book is more then a "dummies" book. The author communicates in concise, clear and understandable ways covering the strengths and versatility of the application while conveying a remarkable and easy to understand way to use program for your graphics needs. While this is a short review, I want to let you know again that this text will make a fine addition to graphic users, especially to those who are in need of a fine resource and guide to learn about or upgrade skills with photoshop CS3. You''ll be up and running in no time and learning more graphics capabilities. That's why I am ending this review short because not only is well done and I have said much already but I want to start using and learning now and gain some more new insights myself.






"Good book for dummies"
Photoshop for dummies is a straight forward no-nonsense approach to photoshop. A good reference book for anyone who has CS3. CS3 is a wonderful suite of tools for the creative web person. Still learning it because it has so many features but definitely glad I purchased the software and the dummies book. Annie Lawrence, author Love's Secret Live Your Life In Love.

"Don't be a Dummie"
I bought the book because it was supposed to be for beginners and, as stated on the back of the book, full of tips, tricks and techniques. It IS NOT. Whoever wrote this must not have looked in the book at all. If you just want to know some of what program will do get this book. If you want to learn to auctually use the program and do something with it get another book. I personally like the ones with a CD-ROM.

"Very good overview of the features"
It was great to be reminded of many of the features I had not used in Photoshop for a while. Now I am back on track to be more creative in what tools I should be using for any number of photo problems.