Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 for Photographers
by Ken McMahon
List Price:
Our Price: $15.76
You Save: $14.19 (47%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $13.86 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Ken McMahonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2007-12-10
ISBN: 0240520890
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Focal Press
Book Reviews of Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 for Photographers
Book Review: Could have been better
Summary: 2 Stars
I know many people who have read this book and found it to be an absolute joy that taught them the basics and introduced them to some nice concepts and topics. Especially topics they wanted to hear. Actual people who enjoy this book. Which is bound to happen, it does have good information and in some cases you can even learn something. But that depends.
I struggled with giving this a two or a three star rating. I don't think it's so bad as to give it a one. But the problems I did encounter were enough to make me want to chuck it after I had gleaned any unknown information.
First, as it has been announced by others, he tends to get way into depth about easy topics, and glides over more complicated ones. Curves for example, an awesome, amazing, powerful tool that Adobe felt was too professional for Elements. He barely touches on it, how it can be used, and why it should be used.
He does give some nice tips. But then turns around and gives the same worn out depth of field "tip" we've all heard before. "Select the background, then use Gaussian Blur." Which, I don't know about you but even for me as someone who isn't a photographer knows, doesn't work properly. His example is atrocious.
A lot of the time the pictures don't match the version he's talking about. And more than once PSPP X2 is referred to as version XI. In the scripting section he clearly states "maybe they'll fix this in version XII" the very version the book is about. Apparently didn't feel the need to update the text at all where it wasn't needed.
I loved the section that gave an explanation of layer blend ranges. I've been trying to use them properly for a while. But he does so because Corel changed the Color Balance system and you can't do the old method of a special technique. Despite the fact that the technique he's referring to can be done using the Color Balance Adjustment layer. Now on this point, and in his defense he had not gone over Adjustment layers yet. But he could have saved this tip for adjustment layers as it fits there.
He has a number of explanations that are all over the place. And many times it's hard to follow what he's talking about. If Corel reviewed this book like the cover says, then I wonder what standards Corel is employing. And does this mean that PSPP will only get worse from here because it's owned by a Company that is already removing just as much as it's putting in and allows books like this to be written and published?
Now again, there is useful information in this book. It's not a complete waste. But if you're going to buy it. Then go somewhere else and buy it used. You stand a better chance at a better price. Right now, here on Amazon, the used price is higher than the new price.
Small warning though, even the website spoken of in the book is old and outdated. So that won't be of any use to you at all.
Youtube, they've got stuff. Photoshop tutorials even. They can often be changed over to Paint Shop Pro. And they're free.
Summary of Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 for Photographers
Great pictures don't just happen, you make them.Unleash your creative potential with this essential guide to the myriad of features in Paint Shop Pro Photo X2. Written specifically for photographers by a working professional, it tells you exactly what you need to know to master the powerful creation and editing techniques of this award-winning software.
* Unlock the full potential of your photographs to get professional-looking results every time, turning everyday images into exceptional ones
* Let your creativity flourish, seeing every tool, feature and technique of this powerful package through a photographer's eyes
* Log on to the accompanying website, www.guide2psp.com, to follow along with the projects in the book as you learn.
Packed with a wide variety of real life workflow projects, eye-catching visuals and numerous tips and tricks, Paint Shop Pro X2 for Photographers shows you how to:
* expertly utilize Express Lab to quickly view and fix several photos at a time
* use Layer Styles to apply a wide range of effects including embossing, drop shadows, and reflections
* enhance your workflow, organize your files, and easily share your photos
Every chapter in the book is methodically organized and easily accessible, so you can pick and choose to get the effect you need, when you need it. No matter what your skill level, this lavishly illustrated resource provides detailed, step-by-step instruction that guarantees stunning results every time.
Ken McMahon is a graphic designer, freelance journalist and best-selling author. He runs Pelican Graphics, a digital design consultancy specializing in design and artwork production for print media and the web.
* Unlock the full potential of your photographs to get professional-looking results every time, turning everyday images into exceptional ones
* Let your creativity flourish, seeing every tool, feature and technique of this powerful package through a photographer's eyes
* Log on to the accompanying website, www.guide2psp.com, to follow along with the projects in the book as you learn.
Digital Photography Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Audiobooks on Cassette
- Audiobooks on CD
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- e-Books
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Medicine
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Sony Alpha Series DSLR Gear Bag
Through the Lens: National Geographic's Greatest PhotographsNational Geographic; Published: 2003-10-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.00
Price in other shops:
Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 for Photographersby Ken McMahon
Focal Press; Published: 2007-12-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.76
Price in other shops:
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Field Guideby Alan Hess
Wiley; Published: 2008-06-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.69
Price in other shops:
ColorVision S3P100 Spyder3 proColorVision, Inc.; Windows XP; CE
Price in other shops:
Bamboo (Small) Pen Tablet with Pen OnlyWacom; CE
Price in other shops:
Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 UltimateCorel; Corel; Release date: 2008-09-23; Windows Vista; Software
Best price: $49.99
Price in other shops:
Targus Digital TGR-CRD25 Universal 25-in-1 Memory Card Reader/ WriterMerkury Innovations; Release date: 2006-06-11; Digital Camera
Best price: $8.33
Price in other shops:
Prolight Universal WhaleTail Reporter Flash Diffuser System for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, & Other External Flash UnitsProlight; Digital Camera
Best price: $29.95
Price in other shops:
KODAK Ni-MH 1-Hour Battery Charger K6200-PC-C+4 - Battery charger 4xAA, 2xAAA - included batteries: 4 x AA NiMHKodak; CE
Best price: $20.62
Price in other shops:
Sony HVL-F56AM High-Power Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Digital SLR CameraSony; Digital Camera
Best price: $399.99
Similar Books and other products
Photoshop Elements 7: The Missing Manualby Barbara Brundage
Pogue Press; Published: 2008-10-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $24.68
Price in other shops:
Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR CamerasNikon; Digital Camera
Best price: $11.49
Price in other shops:
Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate & VideoStudio Pro X2 BundleCorel; Corel; Release date: 2008-09-23; Windows Vista; Software
Best price: $102.99
Price in other shops:
Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)by Bryan Peterson
Amphoto Books; Published: 2004-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.75
Price in other shops:
The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2by Scott Kelby
Peachpit Press; Published: 2008-01-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $13.97
Price in other shops:
The Digital Photography Bookby Scott Kelby
Pearson Education; Peachpit Press; Published: 2006-09-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.19
Price in other shops:
Photo Restoration and Retouching Using Corel Paint Shop Pro Photoby Robert Correll
Course Technology PTR; Published: 2007-09-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $22.39
Price in other shops:
Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 UltimateCorel; Corel; Release date: 2008-09-23; Windows Vista; Software
Best price: $49.99
Price in other shops:
Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2Corel; Corel; Release date: 2007-09-20; Windows; Software
Best price: $29.95
Price in other shops:
Picture Yourself Learning Corel Paint Shop Pro X2by Diane Koers
Course Technology PTR; Published: 2008-02-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $17.56
Price in other shops: