As time permits, I will add reviews of the books I have read and comments about books that I have skimmed, but not read yet. Just for fun, I will rate the books. Five stars (*) is the best rating, while five bangs (!) is the worst rating. I will use question marks (?) to suggest the probable rating for books that I have only skimmed, but not read.

I have purchased all of the books listed here, except as noted.

?? Adobe Photoshop 3 Filters And Effects, by Gary Bouton, New Riders Publishing (1995)

I have not read this book yet, but my wife has worked several of the examples with pleasing results. This is one of the few books devoted to Photoshop filters, but most of the examples also require additional software in order to create the special effects. As a result, it is of limited interest to me. It includes a cd-rom with Mac and PC files.

? Collage with Photoshop, by Russell Sparkman, Rockport Publishers (1995)

I have not read this book yet. In fact, I probably never will. You see, I thought this book was about making collages with Photoshop. Silly me! This book is really about using a program called Specular Collage with Photoshop 3, to produce collages that are more complex than Photoshop can produce on its own. The book is filled with the best-looking digital graphics I've ever seen, but that still doesn't do me any good since I don't have or need Specular Collage in real life.

??? Designer Photoshop, by Rob Day, Random House, Inc. (1995)

I have not read this book yet. It appears to be an intermediate-level guide to Photoshop 3. From the look of the examples, I think it is intended for graphic illustrators instead of web illustrators or digital photography technicians.

* Digital Camera Companion, by Ben Sawyer and Ron Pronk, Coriolis Group Books (1997)

I received this book for free as a review copy from Rohn Engh, at PhotoSource International, who had received it from the publishers. It is written for the novice or amateur photographer who has just acquired a digital camera. The authors proceed to explain the many weird and wonderful things that you can do with your digital camera without getting yourself arrested. It is well-written, but suitable only for hobbyists, not the professional stock photographers that rely on PhotoSource International for advice. It includes a cd-rom with PC files; there is no mention of Mac files being included.

One of the shareware programs is Jigsaws Galore, which lets you create electronic jigsaw puzzles from your digital images, regardless of where the images came from. I love jigsaws, and this is the most fun I have had with digital imaging in the last year!

After you have read this book, you will be aware of the many ways in which you can use or manipulate the digital images you create with your new digital camera. You will realize that the money you spent on your new toy is just a fraction of what the industry wants from you. You will suspect that at $41.99, this book was over-priced.

***** Digital Graphic Design, by Ken Pender, Focal Press (1997)

This book is a "must-have" for anyone who intends to work with digital graphics. Funny thing, though, it has nothing to do with digital graphic design! It is, in fact, an excellent introduction to the concepts, processes and techniques available in today's digital image manipulation software.

This is not a "how-to" book. Pender explains things at the conceptual level, only digressing to specific examples to clarify his point. His coverage is comprehensive and his treatment is in-depth. When mapping his generalities to the real world, Pender cites features in almost every major graphics application on the market today.

I have many "how-to" books on Photoshop, Corel Draw, etc. Each one seemed more confusing than the last! After reading Digital Graphic Design everything suddenly made sense. In about thirty days I was able to master more techniques from the "how-to" books than I had in the previous year.

When you have finished with this book, you will understand the "domain" of the digital graphic designer. When faced with a digital design project, you will know what steps must be taken to create the design. You will also be able to select the software that is best suited to the project. If you intend to use that software, you will be "up-and-running" in no time at all!

HINT: At only $34.95, this is one of the least expensive computer books I own. Does this sound like a great gift idea? Maybe you should drop your own hints.

??? Digital Photography, by Philip Krejcarek, Delmar Publishers (1997)

I have not read this book yet. It is written for those of us who studied and practice traditional photography and wish to employ computer technology as an extension of our craft. There are many exercises and assignments, requiring Photoshop 3. A cd-rom is included, with Mac and PC files.

??? Fundamental Photoshop, by Adele Greenberg and Seth Greenberg, Osborne McGraw-Hill (1995)

I have not read this book yet. It appears to be a general guide to Photoshop 3. My wife has read parts of it and likes it, so I guess I had better read it soon.

?? Inside Adobe Photoshop 3, by Gary Bouton and Barbara Bouton, New Riders Publishing (1995)

I have not read this book yet. The sub-title is "Master Photoshop and Create Stunning Images." The blurb on the back cover says it is for accomplished to expert users. I would suggest that it is for accomplished to expert weight-lifters, since it is by far the heaviest Photoshop book I have ever seen. It includes a cd-rom with Mac and PC files. If you stun someone with your images, can they sue you for medical expenses?

**** Make Your Scanner A Great Design & Production Tool, by Michael J. Sullivan, North Lights Books (1995)

What the heck is wrong with these authors? Why can't they put the right title on their books? Sullivan obviously doesn't want you to buy his book until after you have bought your scanner. Then you buy his book, read his great explanations of the technical specs that describe a scanner, and realize that you bought the wrong scanner! Heaven forbid that you would buy this book first, learn how to correctly select a scanner capable of meeting your requirements, then buy the right scanner for you.

Once you have a scanner, for better or worse, Sullivan shows you how to maximize your results and minimize your problems. It is relatively easy reading, although it will make more sense to you if you have already read Digital Graphic Design, by Ken Pender, and perhaps The Underground Guide to Color Printers, by M. David Stone.

After reading this book, you will know how to evaluate and select a scanner based on your requirements and the scanner's capabilities. You will be aware of basic color calibration techniques, as well as some simple ways to maximize your scanner's physical performance. You will be able to scan reflective material, negatives, transparencies and small objects. You will also be able to apply some simple, but impressive "corrections" to the scanned image.

Oh, did I mention that you should buy this book before you buy your scanner?

** The Photographer's Digital Studio, by Joe Farace, Peachpit Press (1996)

This book is written for photographers who have never touched a computer in their life. It became an instant classic and made the author famous! In basic terms, Farace quickly reviews just about every computer component and software application that a photographer might be interested in when buying a computer system. Technology changes rapidly though, so look for a revised edition before you buy.

If you are about to buy a new computer system, don't rely on this book alone for advice. It is only a starting point. Farace does not tell you how to analyze your requirements, nor how to evaluate computer hardware and software to be sure it meets your requirements.

After you read this book, you will realize that a computer can be used to manipulate a digital image in a variety of ways. You will be aware that there are a variety of hardware concerns to be addressed and that many different software applications exist. Alas, if you decided to buy everything at this point you would still be at the mercy of your local computer salesperson. But, since you realize that too, you won't go out and buy anything after reading this book. You will go out and seek qualified advice from an expert, who will appreciate the fact that you are already aware of the many options available. Just don't tell him that you have read this book, or he will say something like, "ah, well, it's not quite that simple in real life, you know..."

!!!!! Photoshop 3: Knock Their Socks Off!, by Peter Fink, Ziff-Davis Press (1994)

This books was one of the first to hit the market claiming to show how Photoshop users could create fantastic effects. Some hope. Fink's ideas sound great, but his examples don't work. I have tried over and over again, for the last year, to do his exercises. My results are always far short of his.

The various Photoshop tools have different degrees of effect upon images of different size and resolution. Fink does not tell us what size image to open or what resolution to use. It is impossible to duplicate his results. Why would an author be so stupid as to write a "how-to" book that didn't tell you how to do it? Well, sucker, when you look inside the back cover you will see the answer. Peter Fink wants you to buy his video tapes so you can "See this book in action!" He wants you to attend one of his seminars, and buy some of his other products as well.

After reading this book, you will wonder how Fink ever conned you out of the $43.95 cover price. Never mind his socks, somebody should knock Fink's block off!

??? Photoshop Artistry, by Barry Haynes and Wendy Crumpler, SYBEX Inc. (1995)

I have not read this book yet. The sub-title is "A Master Class For Photographers And Artists," which seems to fit the rather complex examples. Ok, so it was over my head when I bought it. Now that I have read Digital Graphic Design, by Ken Pender and The Underground Guide to Color Printers, by M. David Stone, I am almost ready to tackle it. Almost. I just need to master Photoshop 3 first. I've only been using Photoshop for a year now, so I'm really still an apprentice. A cd-rom with Mac and PC files is included.

????? Professional Photoshop, by Dan Margulis, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1995)

I have not read this book yet. It is devoted almost entirely to color correction of digital photos, using Photoshop 3. I suspect that it is the definitive work on the subject. Don't even think about reading this book if you do not understand color upside-down and backwards.

*** Start with a Scan, by Janet Ashford and John Odam, Peachpit Press (1996)

This book's sub-title says it all: "A Guide To Transforming Scanned Photos And Objects Into High Quality Art." Does this sound like what you want to do? If so, then this book is for you, maybe.

This is an intermediate-level book. You need to be a working artist, graphic designer or photographer in order to grasp and appreciate what the authors are talking about. I found this book very informative and stimulating. You might want to read Digital Graphic Design, by Ken Pender, first.

After you have read this book, you will finally appreciate that scanners are far more versatile and useful than most people realize. You will be able to apply techniques that would have been considered trade-secrets only a few years ago. You will be able to tackle just about any web-publishing or desktop-publishing project that requires graphics of any sort. You will probably have so much fun, you won't go back to your real job!

***** The Underground Guide to Color Printers, by M. David Stone, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company (1996)

Here is another "must-have" book with the wrong title! It is really a comprehensive guide to the physics of color, the physiology of color, the psychology of color perception by humans, every color model known to mankind, the mechanics of printing color using traditional methods, the mechanics of producing color in computer monitors and the mechanics of printing color with computer printers.

If you are going to use your computer to produce any type of color output, then you need this book to help you master the beast. Color calibration is the devil's own invention, and without Stone's help you might as well be damned!

I have spent many years setting up desktop-publishing equipment for clients and teaching them how to work with color. I bought this book when it first came out because I had nothing to read while sitting out in the back garden. Guess what? With all my education and experience relating to color, I only knew about 30% of what was in this book. Stone makes everything crystal-clear.

After reading this book, you will understand what color really is and why it is almost impossible to reproduce accurately. You will realize that humans are inherently color-blind. You will know that each method of reproducing color can, in fact, only reproduce a limited set of colors. You will know to what extent it is possible to calibrate your scanner, monitor and color printer. Best of all, when you take your finished graphic file to your service bureau or print shop, you will not likely hear those fatal words, "Your colors are out of gamut."

Warning: Although well-written, this book is by nature very technical. Keep a bottle of aspirin handy!

* Web Concept & Design, by Crystal Waters, New Riders Publishing (1996)

The sub-title of this book claims it is "a comprehensive guide for creating effective web sites." It is, in fact, considerably less than comprehensive. The content is well written and presented, but is at about the same level as typical articles in web-related magazines. All of the material is basic, entry-level stuff that every web designer learns within the first month on-the-job.

Notwithstanding the above, I think this is a good book for managers, or anyone who is not involved with the technical production or operation of a web site. Waters presents a clear overview of the basic concepts involved in simple web site design. It is quick reading; you can finish the whole book while waiting in the Revenue Canada (or IRS) lobby for your tax audit appointment. In fact, when they see how much you paid for this book, they may understand why your expenses are so high and decide to cancel the audit!

After reading this book, you will have a clear understanding of the steps required to develop a simple web site. You will appreciate basic rules that usually require you to lower the "pizzazz" content of your site in order to improve its performance or increase its target market. You will realize that, like life, web site design is full of trade-offs and you seldom get what you want.

At $19.95, this book would be fairly priced. At $34.95, this book would be somewhat expensive compared to other books covering this topic. In fact, this books costs $56.95. The Internet is becoming a multi-billion dollar business. It seems Waters and New Riders Publishing are trying to grab as much of that as they can through the sale of this book!

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