Reading mode: Light Dark

Scott Kelby - PS Elements

Go to last post
D

ddcgrant

Well-known member
Messages
147
Reaction score
0
Location
Orangeville, Ontario, CA
Last fall when I was researching about which Post Processing tool might be best for me many reccommended PSE 5. I also read many positive things about Scott Kelby's books.

I finally got to a book store last week - and looked for Scott Kelby's book. I found it - but it was for CS2 and not elements. I noted other books directed toward PS Elements 5 (e.g. Barry Beckham).

I'm just beginning - and don't want to get in over my head. I'm convinced PSE can do more than I need - at least for a while...

So, my question is - is Kelby's CSC book too advanced to be useful for learning elements? Has anyone read the Barry Beckham book? Are there specific books for PSE 5 that would be recommended?

By the way - I did purchase the Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby (published in 2007) and am part way through it. I am enjoying the blend of solid advice and good humour.

thx

Donald
 
I also am starting out slow. I find that it is harder to run a computer than it is to take the photo. I am short on computer savay, but I have my wife help me figure things out most of the time. One thing I do miss is the anticipation of the pics a week later...But I am ready to move on to one of the programs...Just don't know which one...
--
T Gelgen
D50
18-55 ED
70-300 VR
 
I bought a book on the D50. It is like the owners manual explained out better than the manual that came with the camera. It is by Simon tafford. from Magic Lantern Guides...
--
T Gelgen
D50
18-55 ED
70-300 VR
 
tom1468 said:
here is where i got my copy , except i use the older edition for
elements 4 , this one is for elements 5

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780321476739&itm=4
--
Tom
see my ugly pics at :
http://www.pbase.com/tom1468
Click to expand...
When I got my Sony F717 back in 2002, I had access to Photoshop 7.0, and I’d read tutorials on-line trying to figure out to make my photos look better. I never got to the point where I felt I knew how to use PS to justify the cost. When I got my D50 early last year I knew I had to have my own software and I picked up PSE-4.0.

After a few months I knew I needed more help than what I was getting on-line so I picked up Kelby’s PSE-4 book for digital photographers due to it being highly recommended on this and other photography forums. I learned more from that book in a few hours the first afternoon than I had learned in four years trying to use PS-7.0, even with Adobe’s “Classroom in a book”.

Many books tell how each individual tool works, but you have to figure out how and when to use each tool. Kelby tells you how to fix photos. In my book for PSE-4 chapter 2 deals with mastering camera raw; chapter 3 deals with how to resize, crop, and straighten crooked pictures. Chapter 7 is on retouching photos with topics like fixing skin tone, removing or lessening wrinkles, making eyes sparkle, etc. He has a chapter on sharpening with techniques other than just standard USM. Then there are chapters on special effects, restorations, presentations, color correction, image problems, etc. He walks you through the editing process one step at a time, with screen images, and tells you the tools to use for each step.

So when somebody asks about a good Photoshop book I too highly recommended Scott Kelby’s books for digit photographers.

--
Brooks

http://www.bmiddleton.smugmug.com

I daresay one profits more by the mistakes one makes off one's own bat than by doing the right thing on somebody's else advice.
— W. Somerset Maugham
 
I have heard great things about this book. The online manual is very weak and wish I had purchased this book instead of Kelby's book. His book is probably great if you have mastered the basics but is somewhat difficult to use from a beginning.
 
Oops - I was out for a run - what a gorgeous day...

Brooks + Tom - thx for the link. That's the book I was looking for. Now I can order it in since they do not have it.

TGelgen - slow is okay! I know I have a long way to go before I get my shots up to the level of most on this forum. Right now, its not about the keepers, its about getting something right in a shot that I couldn't before. As an example, just last week I was shooting one of my kids end of year band productions. Someone had suggested to increase the ISO to about 800 even when using TTL flash to let in more ambient light. It made a significant difference. I guess I'm easily impressed - but I'm having fun!

Ths Mike - I'll check out Barbara B as well

Babalou - great idea, I will check this out once I start using the program a bit more - they seem to have lots of help there too.

Thanks for your comments all.

Donald
 
Your welcome and I think you will learn allot from his books
They are great books and easy to understand
ddcgrant said:
Oops - I was out for a run - what a gorgeous day...

Brooks + Tom - thx for the link. That's the book I was looking for.
Now I can order it in since they do not have it.

TGelgen - slow is okay! I know I have a long way to go before I
get my shots up to the level of most on this forum. Right now, its
not about the keepers, its about getting something right in a shot
that I couldn't before. As an example, just last week I was
shooting one of my kids end of year band productions. Someone had
suggested to increase the ISO to about 800 even when using TTL
flash to let in more ambient light. It made a significant
difference. I guess I'm easily impressed - but I'm having fun!

Ths Mike - I'll check out Barbara B as well

Babalou - great idea, I will check this out once I start using the
program a bit more - they seem to have lots of help there too.

Thanks for your comments all.

Donald
Click to expand...
--
Tom
see my ugly pics at :
http://www.pbase.com/tom1468
 
Yatesd -

I saw the Lightroom book at the store (Chapters) and flipped through it. Since you have both, do they cover the same stuff - or is it separate enough to warrent two purchases?
thx
Donald
 
If you are asking the question is it worth buying both the LR book and the PSE5 book then the answer is yes since they are really two different subjects.

Personally, I started reading the PSE5 book and then when I decided on LR I ordered the LR book. Since LR plays such a huge role for me with importing, developing, and organization I have decided to finish this book first. I am learning a substantial amount of tips and tricks. LR is both easy and complex at the same time!

Once I am done with the LR book, I will go back and finish reading the PSE5 book since these features are not used nearly as often.

BTW, I bought my PSE5 book at a local Borders and reallized I overpaid even with a coupon. Since then, I have bought all my books from Amazon with free shipping.

--
Doug
 
I think I am fairly knowledgeable in the basics of PSE having used both 4 & 5, but when I downloaded Lightroom I was lost. Lightroom has a completely different look, different tools, different work flow. I can't imagine a book written for one application being of any use for the other application.

You can download a 30-day trial version of PSE-5 and Lightroom from Adobe and compare the two programs.

For me, PSE-5 fit my needs better than Lightroom and had the added bonus of being on sale at Staples for less than $50; Lightroom costs $300.
--
Brooks

http://www.bmiddleton.smugmug.com

I daresay one profits more by the mistakes one makes off one's own bat than by doing the right thing on somebody's else advice.
— W. Somerset Maugham
 
yatesd said:
I own the Digital Photography book, PSE5, and Lightroom book from
Scott Kelby. I ordered mine from http://www.Amazon.com An easy way to find
his books is to select "books" from the drop down menu on Amazon
and type in Scott Kelby.

Excellent Books!

--
Doug
Click to expand...
yatesd:

1. Some never think of them as a source for purchasing "Photography Books"; but, why not? And, as for a lot of things, you often get these books a lot quicker and for lower cost than at other places, and most of the time, the Books are in-stock for online purchase:

2. Here is a link to some Scott Kelby books, for sale at Walmart:

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&search_query=scott+kelby&Continue.x=24&Continue.y=6&Continue=Find&ic=24_0

--
BRJR....(My cameras & lenses are listed in my profile)
 
BRJR,

Thanks for the tip. I am finding more and more Walmart is a great place to buy a many things....Just not high-end photography equipment. ;-)

--
Doug
 
Brooks
Doug

THanks - I think I'll stick with PSE 5 for now. I suspect it will be better to be familiar with one rather than cursory knowledge of a number of programs. That's really why I want to go through the book and really get to know the program and workflow.

Re Walmart -

Great idea, but I checked the Canadian Walmart online listing and they do not carry the Scott Kelby books... yet! However, with the ISBN number I can now track down places that do.

Happy reading - and shooting!

Donald
 
yatesd said:
BRJR,

Thanks for the tip. I am finding more and more Walmart is a great
place to buy a many things....Just not high-end photography
equipment. ;-)

--
Doug
Click to expand...
yatesd:

You won't have to worry about what you just say, as we are talking about "Photography Books", here.

--
BRJR....(My cameras & lenses are listed in my profile)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top