Lets face it - Photoshop is a full time job. I don't believe anyone can "master the digital image" on a part time
schedule.
Seeing is not believing -- its what you want it to be. This 482-page book is printed on high quality paper and
retails for $59.99. It comes with an Adobe Photoshop 6 try-out version on a CD that allows you to taste the
power of the actual program. It was confusing at first as I was expecting a one, two, three lesson approach
to Photoshop enlightenment. This was not the case. The content is not structured as lessons.
As an artist or photographer or just someone that wants to do personal photo work -- this program is for you.
One problem. Photoshop is expensive, but when you consider you do not need another software program, you
see you are buying the Cadillac.
The first 100 pages plus of the book are devoted to the Photoshop tools. This is detailed and time consuming
but probably the most important section of the book as it teaches you to understand such things as layers and
paths. Also, you'll learn how to do masks to determine what you want to do with a selection. It is easy to
remove a bad section or add something additional to your photos.
Color is a major part of Photoshop and most of the book is devoted to manipulating colors and color
management. I was particularly interested in how to calibrate my monitor, scanner and printer using what they
call ICC profiles.
Scanning photographic film and digital camera memory are easy to do. But what do you do next? There's
resolution to think about. This problem is well covered by some simple multiplication. This is the beginning in
the process of creating a master image.
Quality color examples are given throughout the book. Learn to use the Magic Wand, the Lasso tool, Quick
Mask mode, the Magnetic tool and Hue and color saturation. You quickly learn a new vocabulary.
For anyone desiring to restore old and damaged photos, Photoshop is the program. Taking the wart off the
nose can be easier than with a surgeon's scalpel and a lot quicker. Tears in photos, faded areas, and color
corrections are quite simple - once you know how.
Playing around with text is another fun thing if you want to include copy with your photos. You can get carried
away with making a headline lean left, right or center. Bulge out or in. Distort and color in almost any way you
wish.
If you are creating something for your Web site there is a section that explains how to create your own Web
Page.
The try-out CD is a must with this book as it allows you to actually see what you are reading.
This book and Photoshop are not for everyone, but if you are a serious professional photographer or a digital
artist I wholeheartedly recommend this book to go along with the Photoshop software. Photography has
changed so in the last few years that conventional photography in the professional ranks is being curtailed
considerably.

Photoshop 6 Artistry: Mastering the Digital Image by Barry Haynes and Wendy Crumpler. (2001).
New Riders. $ 59.99. User Level: Intermediate-Expert
www.barryhaynes.com