This is a "must-have" book for the digital photographer that uses Photoshop CS for image editing. As the author himself notes, this is not just another Photoshop book. Kelby is Editor-in-Chief of Photoshop User magazine and takes the reader through a range of Photoshop techniques relevant to the digital photographer (rather than a graphic artist).

The book contains 12 chapters and cover such topics as using the File browser effectively, cropping and resizing images, color correction and masking techniques. There are sections devoted to retouching portraits and "body sculpting" (we all need some of that). The chapter on sharpening techniques is especially valuable.

More details here.

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There are many Photoshop books on the market (head to the nearest Borders book store if you don't believe me). This one really is different. You may know Deke McClelland from the interactive "Video Workshop" CD that ships with Photoshop CS. If so, you'll be happy to know that the same entertaining teaching style is translated into his books.

The book contains 12 step-by-step lessons that are richly illustrated by full color screenshots. Each chapter finishes with a review of concepts covered and a short quiz to ensure understanding. Lessons include the creation and application of masks, building layered compositions, layer styles and adjustments and printing and output issues.

More details here.

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OK, you got your nice new Nikon D70 home and you start to tackle the manual supplied with the camera. Hmm . . . you know the information is in there somewhere right? Well it is, but there has to be a better source of information, and there is.

Writer and photographer Thom Hogan has produced an electronic guide to the Nikon D70 that greatly extends the information in Nikon's own manual. The 'book' is supplied on CD as a .PDF file. This means that you have to read it on screen, or print it out. The latter seems the more convenient option (I still prefer reading the printed word). I had mine bound - all 510 pages of it - at Kinko's.

The book is packed with information and covers all basic operation of the camera and its various controls. The section on the use of flash with the D70 is excellent, although it was clearly written before the SB600 became available. SB800 users, however, will find much to satisfy them.

Overall, if you are a D70 owner, you need this book, which is available directly from Thom Hogan.

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Another e-book on the D70? Well, yes . . . but this one is really quite different from Hogan's offering (above). This book, by Peter iNova takes a very different approach.

iNova takes you through the controls of the Nikon D70, but includes a great deal more on photographic technique and the use of Photoshop to manipulate the D70 images. In fact, another reason to buy this book is the fact that the CD includes more than 450 Photoshop actions (note - these do not work with Photoshop Elements).

Going beyond operation of the D70, iNova includes chapters on digital color, using Photoshop layers, operation of the SB800, the top 40 photographic problems, special effects, and using the supplied Photoshop actions.

The e-book is very interactive. Many of the illustrations are rollovers, allowing the reader to compare images before and after effects are applied, for example.

The D70 e-book can be ordered directly from Peter iNova.

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One of the toughest problems facing digital photographers is getting good quality prints that match what they see on their computer monitor. The Epson Complete Guide to Digital Printing by Rob Sheppard will go a long way to help you achieve this objective.

Color management can be a nightmare but Sheppard helps you get great prints without being overwhelmed by this very technical subject. The book is clearly biased towards Epson printers, but there is nevertheless much to learn for users of other types of printer.

Chapters are devoted to selection of printers and how to choose the right paper. Sheppard deals with the technical issues that affect digital printing and choosing programs for image editing. Three chapters cover the refining of images for printing, including color and tonal adjustments. The book contains valuable information on "dialing in the print" (color management) as well as on how to display the finished product. The book is completed by sections on monochrome and panoramic printing, archival issues and printer maintainance.

More details here.

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If you are serious about your digital photography, you probably shoot using your camera's RAW format. In Bruce Fraser's book, Real World Camera Raw with Photoshop CS, you will learn how to use RAW files to create the best quality images.

The book is built entirely around the Adobe Camera Raw plug-in for Photoshop CS. Fraser explains the nature of the RAW file format and the reasons why you should use it. He goes into detail about the operation of Adobe Camera Raw and the use of Photoshop's new File Browser.

A particular strength of the book is the information about integrating Camera Raw into your digital workflow. Fraser explains the use of metadata and provides helpful information on using Photoshop's automation tools - for example, batch conversion to JPG files. If you shoot RAW, this book should definitely be on your shelf.

Get more details here or read the Luminous Landscape review.

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What a cool book this is. Bill Fortney breaks his subject matter down into easily digestible chunks, which he delivers in an easy-going style that frankly stops the reader from putting it down. The book's 13 chapters cover such topics as goals for success, keys to great images and the art and craft of photography. Bill discusses the workings of a camera in such a way as to give life to crusty subjects such as the relationship between aperture and shutter speed . This information is then cleverly applied to creating excellent images.

Bill uses the basic principles of learning to get his message across. He introduces the theory and teaches its application. Finally, he provides self-assignment practice session to help the reader get the most from the new knowledge.

The book is richly illustrated with superb images that illustrate the many principles contained in its pages. With a foreword by John Shaw, this book should be essential reading for any photographer, beginner or experienced. Keen-eyed readers will also notice Bill's acknowledgement to OCC's own Wayne Bennett in the Preface.

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John Shaw needs no introduction to any photographer that loves nature photography. In this book, Shaw emphasises that good landscapes come from mastering technique and from developing a personal response to nature. Equipment and a large travel budget are deemed of secondary importance, although the author does devote two chapters to equipment issues.

As might be expected, Shaw places great emphasis on lighting and exposure as key ingedients in outstanding imagery. However, this reviewer was especially stuck by the chapter on the landscape as design. Clearly these compositional elements are important factors in John Shaw's success.

Finally, Shaw provides useful discussion of commonly encountered problems in shooting landscapes, including white skies, contrails, environmental issues and preventing flare (this section alone convinced me to remove UV filters from all my lenses). Excellent stuff.

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