Photoshop Elements 5 the Missing Manual - Barbara Brundage

Advantages: All you need to know to get going in this field
Disadvantages: More on photography tips would be nice!

...Are you struggling with the change from film to digital photography? Unsure about printing, backing up or memory cards? This newish title from O'Reilly could be just what you're looking for. Unlike many books, it doesn't just cover taking pictures but instead covers a whole range of issues and options that you may encounter with digital photography. It is however rather Windows-centric. As is common with the series, Digital Photography The Missing Manual has an easy going style full of subtle humour and plenty of anecdotes and tips. It provides a thorough grounding in the subject and despite being reasonably thick, isn't at all intimidating and given the subject matter, it is good to see the book is in full colour throughout. It's safe to say the rate at which digital has taken over has caught many people off guard, not least... Read review

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Advantages: Concise yet easy to follow, some impressive looking projects, well presented
Disadvantages: Special effects section, a little light (sic) on explanations

...One thing that often separates an average photo from a great one is the quality of light. Real life rarely serves up the sort of light we'd like (especially in the UK) and so we have to fall back on post processing and editing to tweak things. To the inexperienced user, this can be a bit of a hit and miss affair so I was very pleased to spot a copy of Photoshop Elements Drop Dead Lighting Techniques in the bookshop. The author Barry Huggins runs a multimedia and training consultancy at www.matrixtraining.com and has had his images used around the world so he ought to know a thing or two. The first thing that strikes you is the gorgeous presentation of the book. Ilex Press titles we have seen have always been impressive in this respect with superb quality brilliant white paper, excellent layout and flaps on the thick glossy cover... Read review

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Advantages: Broad coverage, lots of useful tricks, great writing style
Disadvantages: Nothing

...With Windows Vista now out in the wild, anyone who has just bought a new PC or has migrated over from Windows XP will be wondering what hit them. The first tranche of Vista books are now upon us, some aimed at the more technical end of the spectrum, others firmly targetted at people who just want to know how to use it. Windows Vista The Missing Manual could be just what they're looking for. Windows Vista The Missing Manual comes from the rapidly growing stable of 'Missing Manual' books aimed at end users who have either found the online help rather lacking or in the rare case an actual printed manual was supplied with their software, that it skimps on the details. Unlike many books which focus on the new features of Vista, this one is more of a general guide to Windows, it just happens to be Vista in this instance. Accordingly... Read review

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