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The Creative Digital Darkroom Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: Must read for anyone starting out with Photoshop or Lightroom
Comment: I'm half way through this book and already I've learned more about how to use Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 than I've gotten out of any other book or website. The authors' style is very straightforward and provides not only directions on how to use the tools in the applications, but also explains why you should use them. Also, there is a special download-only chapter on printing that does a marvelous job explaining how to configure photoshop and lightroom to get the most out of your printer.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent and Friendly Book on Improving Digital Images
Comment: As a university photo professor, I'm fairly familiar with the various texts that deal with digital image workflow and improvements in Photoshop and other programs. I receive several books during a year, each publisher hoping my school will adopt their book as a require text for our many students. Many are good in specific areas, but I've never found one that was perfect for my own needs, and presented the most useful Photoshop methods in such a clear fashion. In the case of this great book, I went online and promptly ordered a copy of The Creative Digital Darkroom for my own use. It arrived in perfect condition, but then immediately began leading a rough life, with dog eared corners, my own notations in the margins, and yellow highlighter denoting the really relevant sections for my own needs-- methods like selectively sepia toning black and white prints, sharpening, masks, layers, and general digital image workflow. The book even gives access to a dedicated website with the actual illustrations available to alter while reading the step-by-step instructions in the text.

You'll find this book so friendly and profusely illustrated that you'll never fear marking in it, for you'll never think of parting ways with it or reselling it. This is a truly valuable resource, written by two absolute experts-- and highly sought after teachers-- who each impart their own hard-earned lessons, with just the right amount of wit and humor.

I recommend The Creative Digital Darkroom in the highest terms.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Getting the best out of your digital darkroom
Comment: Katrin Eismann and Sean Duggan set out in 'The Creative Digital Darkroom' to share some of the creative concepts and techniques they use when working in the digital darkroom. It's " ... more than just a book of Photoshop recipes and quick tips ... [it's about] How to look at the image and 'listen' to it; how changes to the delicate matrix of light and shadow tones can transform the mood and meaning of a photo; how to sculpt with light and contrast; and how to imagine colour and tonal changes that will best express your vision for the photograph."

Katrin is an internationally respected artist, teacher and writer specialising in creative digital photography. Sean is an art photographer, educator and Adobe Certified Photoshop Expert.

They hope the book will serve as a good travel companion as the reader explores their photography in their own creative digital darkroom.

The book was written for Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, whether on a Windows or Mac platform. The authors contend that the book's general principles can also be applied by those who prefer using other software.

Comprised of ten chapters, the book proceeds on its way along a sensible and well-organised path. A brief introductory chapter summarises the tools, terms and techniques in digital darkroom work and overviews the workflow from image capture to print, reflecting the structure of the book.

Chapter Two covers in much helpful detail the requirements of setting up a workable digital darkroom. Hardware, peripherals and software, system calibration and a range of Photoshop preferences and settings are described. It includes a very clear exposition on the bane of digital darkroom users' lives - colour management.

Now that the darkroom is set up, the following eight chapters work their way sequentially through scanning, developing, and organising; file preparation; tone and contrast; dodging, burning, and exposure control; colour correction; creative colour; creative enhancements and, finally, enhancing focus.

Each of those areas is dealt with authoratively and with finesse.

There are several things I liked about the book. It's a remarkably thorough and well organised guide. Graphics and photographs are used sufficiently to illustrate the authors' points. It has good ample use of dialogue box screenshots which are concisely annotated where appropriate. Comparative and before/after images are used effectively to highlight the effects of applying different creative ideas.

There's a handy summary at the beginning of each chapter to introduce the reader to what follows. A comprehensive index is included.

Finally, there's a companion website offering additional information plus download access to many of the book's images to help achieve a richer learning experience. It's at www.creativedigitaldarkroom.com.

Greg Davies
The Apple Users' Society of Melbourne
www.ausom.net.au

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Customer Rating:
Summary: gteat resource
Comment: Great book for those familiar with Photoshop. Not a book for novice users. Well written, good support images.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellant book on digital enhancement
Comment: At first glance the title might make you think this s an digital art type book but it is not. Katrin and Sean are experts on how to enhance your photos from RAW to finished print (online bonus chapter). The book is filled with color examples and explanations on how to modify a picture for the best look. While it is centered around Adobe Camera RAW and Lightroom, I find the examples to be quite easily applied to Bibble. If you are trying to upgrade your skills using todays computers and software, this book will greately enhance them. It is like being tuttored by Katrin and Sean. I highly recommend this book. Also, take a look at [...] for RAW software.

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