Photoshop Masking & Compositing

So far this book is absolutely fantastic. It has taught me so much in such a short space of time and it is written and formatted in a way that is easy on the eyes - it seems more digestible somehow..The 1st part of this book is going through the selection tools - which are really an essential tool set to master in photoshop for many reasons. There is an awful lot here that I didn't know about, even things that seem simplistic (such as rectangular marquee) have deeper uses for selections that make life easier! She demonstrates that there is no one tool or quick click to select objects, but by using the variety of selection methods together you can get excellent selections. There are loads of helpful tips and shortcuts throughout this entire book.The author then goes on to show and explain ways to take those selections and make them blend in with whatever your going to use them with - how to soften the edges and play with all the various settings to get a seamless composition. (Over simplified, but this is the jist)There is a whole chapter devoted to the pen tool - called "pen tool power".She then goes on to teach about the layer masks and how to use them - layers and masks. Although I haven't reached this chapter yet, I have browsed the whole book and the techniques being demonstrated here look very exciting! Some really cool effects are shown that have been done with various masks. By revealing and concealing with these tools, it seems that there are limitless possibilities for great effects, seamless compositions and so much more!The author then goes on to explain and teach more layering power and in depth layer masking.Then there is a whole chapter called, "selecting and preserving fine detail"!! This chapter covers things like, selecting fine hair and details, selecting translucency and "green screen" techniques. Included in this chapter is "advanced selection techniques".There is also a chapter on photographing composition and image execution.. this deals with things like, planning the image, models props & locations, format resolution & equipment, matching perspective, matching props, photographic essentials such as; lenses, exposure, shutter speed, depth of field, lighting (Qualities of lighting), shadow and background considerations. This chapter was an unexpected bonus for me - I hadn't expected to find lessons in this book on capturing great shots for use in photoshop, so was very pleased to find this.The next chapter deals with photorealistic compositing and making impossible images look real, as if captured on camera. There is also a chapter on creative compositing, which is far more abstract and unreal.All in all this is the best teaching book for photoshop CS4 that I have yet come across. It covers things very well and with a writing style that is not too complicated and has been easier to absorb and follow. It seems to be in an order that makes a lot of sense too.I'm working my way through this book like a course, from start to finish, Following the written instructions and the helpful visuals and photographs - by the end I expect I will be accomplished at photoshop!Highly recommended.

Eisman has an excellent writing style which explains the reasons for a particular approach as well as how to do it in PS, thus this book can be used as a basis with many editing systems.

Excellent book - don't think about it just buy it.Honestly it is that good.

I bought this classic Photoshop book second hand as it is very old now but it is still full of great techniques and relevant to my version of Photoshop. Hopefully it will enable me to improve the quality of my photographs. The book was delivered quickly and in very good condition as described. Very pleased.

Easy to follow with great illustration

Item in good condition

Katrin Eismann is a first rate author and covers the subject matter in great detail. Highly recommended

Good reading

This book is incredible! The quality was exceptional and I highly advise anyone wanting to learn photoshop to purchase this wonderful teaching text and follow along with all the easy to do lessons in each chapter. The images used for teaching are readily available for free for downloading.

Le livre le plus complet sur le détourage. Tout, vraiment tout, y est.Le seul petit bémol que l'on puisse y mettre, est que ce livre est un peu dépassé (comme l'utilisation du filtre "extraction", qui n'existe plus).Mais qu'on ne si trompe pas, 80% à 90% du livre est utilisable avec Photoshop CC. J'ai cru comprendre néanmoins, qu' à l'heure où j'écris ces lignes, une nouvelle édition du livre devrait sortir.

Although it was a gift, I have already learned so much from this book. One of the best ever written.

[update / Sep 29, 2011]. Keep in mind that this edition is now dated although still filled with useful information. Although I got a lot out of this book, I would likely look for a more up-to-date book (by another author if one from Katrin is not available) to use with Adobe CS5 and higher.If you're a professional photographer (or aspire to be one), get this book.Unlike other books, this book skips the worthless cheezy stuff that professionalsaren't likely to be interested in to begin with. This book focuses on tasks thatphotographers and graphic professionals are most likely to need during post processing.This book is simply a "must have" for those who want to get straight to the point,without having to flip through hundreds of pages of worthless fluff, just to get themost out of Photoshop. The book is easy to follow & well written.#1 If you want to be able to make great composites, work with layers and masks, etc.,on the level of someone who's trying to create a composite for a cover of say RedbookMagazine, to be imported into InDesign or Illustrator for polishing- then THIS is yourbook!#2 If you want to remove portraits from horrible backgrounds, and engage in the commonadvance post processing procedures common to professional photography, then THIS is yourbook!#3 If you just got a digital camera last week, and you're just now trying to figure outhow to work Photoshop- Get THIS book and immerse yourself. To be honest, anything lessprobably a gross waste of your time in the long run as this book focuses on the tasksthat are most needed for taking your photos to a professional level.Lastly, it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to regret purchasing this book if you make even amodest attempt at learning the material. Like anybook, the single most reason peopledon't learn software is because they don't READ the material. People want stuff spoonfed to them. Hint: If you make money from photography, and you don't know how to dothe things in this book, but your competitors do.. you will be at a HUGE disadvantage.Good luck!

Pour faire de la retouche ou des montages spéciaux dans Photoshop ce livre est un bon point de départ.