"Each section is expressed clearly with simple buy highly effective and user-friendly illustrations...These are definitely books you should have to hand while working at your computer." - Amateur Photographer

"Some books you can never get into, some seem to fit like an old glove. To me this is certainly one of the latter. As far as I can see every action you are likely to make as a photographer is covered...This book is a must have, easy to follow reference that will guide you through CS2’s many tools and commands." - Royal Photographic Society Digital Imaging Group magazine

"A thorough guide to Adobe’s recent Photoshop CS2 release, this book...acts as an effective reference tool thanks to its easy to follow A to Z layout." - Computer Arts

"If you find the help feature in Adobe Photoshop a bit sparse, then this book could be an easy to use supplement" Photoshop User

"If you ever wanted a quick reference guide to the mass of tools in Photoshop, then this is the answer...Keep it to hand as a quick and easy guide." - Which Digital Camera

Reviews of previous editions:
7.0 and previous eds:

’As the name suggests, this is a handy and easy to use reference for all things Photoshop. Designed in an index format, Bargh’s informative book is well-illustrated and a valuable asset for all getting into digital imaging.’
- Better Digital

’The book provides a visual representation of various features within Photoshop accompanied by succinct, punchy text, which enables you to learn fast and efficiently. Whilst many Photoshop books are tomes difficult to read and understand, this book, with its easy and intuitive layout makes learning a breeze... Overall, this book is an invaluable reference tool that should adorn every desktop when working in Photoshop. Highly recommended.’
- John Shaw, Digital Photo and Practical Photographer.

’... this handy and simple-to-use paperback ... is a perfect adjunct to ... any other technique book dealing with Photoshop.’
- Professional Photographer

’There are stacks of guide books on Photoshop and I’d feared this would be another that is useful but impossible to navigate. The reality was a pleasant surprise, with the author honestly appraising some of the more esoteric features ... of all the Photoshop self-help guides I’ve come across, Peter Bargh’s book is the easiest to use.’
- Amateur Photographer

’The book makes an excellent visual reference guide and should prove very useful for the beginner through to the advanced user.’
- Digital PhotoFX, five star rating

’Unfettered praise is all too rare these days so may this stranger say a warm thank you for your admirable volume "The essential visual reference guide" to Photoshop 7.0. Now much thumbed. Quite one of the best and most accessible of the mentor books to this fiendishly complex but magical software. I like the style and one feels one knows where you’re coming from."
- Richard Wade, former Editor - Tomorrow’s World BBC 1

CS-
’The more we used this book, the better we liked it. This isn’t the ultimate Photoshop book - and it isn’t meant to be - but we can’t think of any other that provides such quick and concise reference information.’
- Digital Photographer Magazine

"If you find that the Help feature in Adobe Photoshop is a bit sparse, then this book could be an easy-to-use supplement...This book is best for self-teaching beginners." - Photoshop User, Sept. 2006

"The title says it all: this book goes through many, perhaps most, Photoshop tools, features and terms in alphabetical order...Helps get newcomers up to speed, or more experienced users discover the function of some mysterious command." - Photo Techniques, July/Aug. 2006

"This all-inclusive reference quide helps you learn new tools and menus, solve problems as you work and get direction on various features and topics. The book lists all of CS2’s key tools and can be used with any version of the software." - PC Photo, June 2006

Philip Andrews is Adobe Australia’s official Photoshop and Elements Ambassador. He is an experienced photographer, author, magazine editor and online course creator. He was previously a lecturer at the Queensland School of Printing and Graphic Arts, Australia and Nescot, England. He is a beta tester for Photoshop, an alpha tester for Photoshop Elements and a Photoshop specialist demonstrator for Adobe Australia. Philip is also co-founder of photo-college.com an online photography training college. He’s a regular contributor to several magazines including Shutterbug, Amateur Photographer, Australian Photography and Better Photography, he is senior contributing editor for Better Digital, columnist for What Digital Camera and Co-editor and publisher of Better Photoshop Techniques magazine.

Learn quickly and efficiently with this superb easy-to-navigate compilation of all the menus, tools and features offered in the latest version of Adobe Photoshop, CS2. Philip Andrews and Peter Bargh share with you their extensive knowledge and experience of Photoshop in this excellent resource.

Structured in a clear and simple column format for you to dip into, or work through feature by feature, Adobe Photoshop CS2 A-Z covers each area concisely and includes directions to related topics. Solve problems as you work avoiding the frustrations and struggles that can accompany time-sensitive projects.

All Photoshop users will find this a valuable reference guide.

* Lists all the key tools and features of Photoshop CS2 - can also be used with any version of the software
* Save time with the colorful, easy-to-use A to Z format
* Each entry lists shortcut keys, specifies which version of Photoshop is applicable, includes screengrabs and clear step-by-step instructions

What’s the point all about?
The Adobe Photoshop CS2 A-Z etc, etc is a beautifull book. As a complement to other more accurate howtos is of a great help. The only complaint I found when I had on hands my actual copy was the so small point used on the summary tables at the beginning of each feature.

CS2 A-Z
Easy to look for the subject you want, but the book was too succint and the character were so small that I had to use a magnifier lens. Where is the other author Peter Bargh who wrote the previous edition? I puchased both editions.

Superb reference. Keep it close by!
If you use Photoshop, at whatever level, this is a book which should never be out of arm’s reach.. Even if you have vast experience with the program, there will always be that moment when you can’t remember which setting does what or why the function you just used didn’t perform in the way you expected it would..

As the title suggests, this is an index of Photoshop in visual form. Everything is broken down and listed alphabetically so if you’re looking for information on Motion Blur, for instance; you’ll find it under M rather than B. Each entry has a heading giving information on which version of Photoshop (CS2 features are highlighted) it’s applicable to as well as where it can be accessed from and its keyboard shortcut if it has one. There is also dictionary style ’see also’ reference to associated functions. This is followed by a description of both what it does and how it’s used as well as an example image. There are expert tips scattered throughout and a list of time-saving keyboard shortcuts at the end.

The text is well written and to the point. On the whole, the layout is good. There are a few places where descriptions and examples jump across columns which can cause a little confusion as to where one ends and the other begins. Some of the examples are a little small to see what the outcome is but these are just small aesthetic niggles.

Highly recommended.

A Little of Everything
But not enough to explain any one process through. OSX users, be advised, most of the dialog boxes are Windows which you need a magnifying glass to see.

A Little of Everything
But not enough to explain any one process through. OSX users, be advised, most of the dialog boxes are Windows which you need a magnifying glass to see.

Handy Help
I’m new to CS2 and was having trouble weeding through all the possable ways of developing my photos. This book is a wouderful help with undrstanding some of the complicated tasks involved, the projects are simple to read and simpler to do, even if you are using your own photos instead of the ones that are included with the book on a CD. Having completing the projects in the book I reference it reguarly for my own projects.

Handy Help
I’m new to CS2 and was having trouble weeding through all the possable ways of developing my photos. This book is a wouderful help with undrstanding some of the complicated tasks involved, the projects are simple to read and simpler to do, even if you are using your own photos instead of the ones that are included with the book on a CD. Having completing the projects in the book I reference it reguarly for my own projects.

A wonderful ready reference.
Title: Photoshop CS2 A-Z
Author: Philip Andrews
Publisher: Focal Press
ISBN: 0240520025
Pages: 244 pages
Reviewer: Charles Renee
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


This Photoshop advice and teaching book by Phillip Andrews is a great find. It’s not a sit by the fire and read book but, rather a wonderful ready reference.

Adobe keeps making great products and adding new features almost to the speed of "hold on I can’t keep up.? This book offers some handholds on Photoshop. It is set up in dictionary style in which it describes every feature and action in Photoshop from A to Z with really nice color photos. In many cases it has multiple screenshots of features, filters and actions.

Even though the title describes itself as CS2 it has tips, tricks and shortcuts that apply to older versions of the program as well. It will tell you what versions each feature works with and highlights the CS2 only items. Photoshop CS2 A-Z might be the needed push for someone sitting on the fence about whether the program upgrade is worth it. This book is not a substitute for classroom type text books but a great companion for everyday use. My copy is already getting its share of daily abuse. Easy to use, easy to read, 5 star rating!

A wonderful ready reference.
Title: Photoshop CS2 A-Z
Author: Philip Andrews
Publisher: Focal Press
ISBN: 0240520025
Pages: 244 pages
Reviewer: Charles Renee
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


This Photoshop advice and teaching book by Phillip Andrews is a great find. It’s not a sit by the fire and read book but, rather a wonderful ready reference.

Adobe keeps making great products and adding new features almost to the speed of "hold on I can’t keep up.? This book offers some handholds on Photoshop. It is set up in dictionary style in which it describes every feature and action in Photoshop from A to Z with really nice color photos. In many cases it has multiple screenshots of features, filters and actions.

Even though the title describes itself as CS2 it has tips, tricks and shortcuts that apply to older versions of the program as well. It will tell you what versions each feature works with and highlights the CS2 only items. Photoshop CS2 A-Z might be the needed push for someone sitting on the fence about whether the program upgrade is worth it. This book is not a substitute for classroom type text books but a great companion for everyday use. My copy is already getting its share of daily abuse. Easy to use, easy to read, 5 star rating!

A wonderful ready reference.
Title: Photoshop CS2 A-Z
Author_ Philip Andrews
Publisher_ Focal Press
ISBN: 0240520025
Pages: 244 pages
Reviewer_ Charles Renee
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


This Photoshop advice and teaching book by Phillip Andrews is a great find. It’s not a sit by the fire and read book but, rather a wonderful ready reference.

Adobe keeps making great products and adding new features almost to the speed of "hold on I can’t keep up.? This book offers some handholds on Photoshop. It is set up in dictionary style in which it describes every feature and action in Photoshop from A to Z with really nice color photos. In many cases it has multiple screenshots of features, filters and actions.

Even though the title describes itself as CS2 it has tips, tricks and shortcuts that apply to older versions of the program as well. It will tell you what versions each feature works with and highlights the CS2 only items. Photoshop CS2 A-Z might be the needed push for someone sitting on the fence about whether the program upgrade is worth it. This book is not a substitute for classroom type text books but a great companion for everyday use. My copy is already getting its share of daily abuse. Easy to use, easy to read, 5 star rating!

A wonderful ready reference.
Title: Photoshop CS2 A-Z

Author: Philip Andrews

Publisher: Focal Press

ISBN: 0240520025

Pages: 244 pages

Reviewer: Charles Renee

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars





This Photoshop advice and teaching book by Phillip Andrews is a great find. It’s not a sit by the fire and read book but, rather a wonderful ready reference.



Adobe keeps making great products and adding new features almost to the speed of "hold on I can’t keep up.? This book offers some handholds on Photoshop. It is set up in dictionary style in which it describes every feature and action in Photoshop from A to Z with really nice color photos. In many cases it has multiple screenshots of features, filters and actions.



Even though the title describes itself as CS2 it has tips, tricks and shortcuts that apply to older versions of the program as well. It will tell you what versions each feature works with and highlights the CS2 only items. Photoshop CS2 A-Z might be the needed push for someone sitting on the fence about whether the program upgrade is worth it. This book is not a substitute for classroom type text books but a great companion for everyday use. My copy is already getting its share of daily abuse. Easy to use, easy to read, 5 star rating!

easy to use reference bible for photoshop
I found this book incredibly easy to use - the explanations are concise and brief, and everything else can be figured out as you work. The alphabetical layout makes it simple and straightforward.

easy to use reference bible for photoshop
I found this book incredibly easy to use - the explanations are concise and brief, and everything else can be figured out as you work. The alphabetical layout makes it simple and straightforward.

Wonderful CS2 Reference for All Levels of Users
I must admit, I was a little reluctant to purchase this book as all of the Photoshop books over the years I have read that are set up as being basically encyclopedic have failed. I am now very glad that I purchased this book.

I would consider myself an intermediate Photoshop user and several things appeal to me about this book. First of all, unlike many encyclopedic like books just tend to repeat what the option or function is. For example, lets say the Photoshop option is "Find Edges". Many books would say, "finds the edges in an image" and that’s pretty much it. But not this book. There is a nice discussion of the option and the dialog box that pops up when Find Edges is selected and the three sliders available and what each does. This book also directs you where to find the option and in which versions of Photoshop it is available.

Secondly, this book is wonderfully illustrated. Thirdly, it is not strictly encyclopedic. There are a number of follow along type exercises and the images can be found online at a companion site so that one can work along with the book. In addition, there are quicktime movies that can be viewed or downloaded to further explain material in the book.

In conclusion, This is definitely the best encyclopedic type Photoshop book I have seen and I have seen many others that have failed at this type of information presentation. I am giving it a five not only because of it’s usefulness but also because this book suceeds where so many have failed. And at $16 it’s a great buy.

Wonderful CS2 Reference for All Levels of Users
I must admit, I was a little reluctant to purchase this book as all of the Photoshop books over the years I have read that are set up as being basically encyclopedic have failed. I am now very glad that I purchased this book.

I would consider myself an intermediate Photoshop user and several things appeal to me about this book. First of all, unlike many encyclopedic like books just tend to repeat what the option or function is. For example, lets say the Photoshop option is "Find Edges". Many books would say, "finds the edges in an image" and that’s pretty much it. But not this book. There is a nice discussion of the option and the dialog box that pops up when Find Edges is selected and the three sliders available and what each does. This book also directs you where to find the option and in which versions of Photoshop it is available.

Secondly, this book is wonderfully illustrated. Thirdly, it is not strictly encyclopedic. There are a number of follow along type exercises and the images can be found online at a companion site so that one can work along with the book. In addition, there are quicktime movies that can be viewed or downloaded to further explain material in the book.

In conclusion, This is definitely the best encyclopedic type Photoshop book I have seen and I have seen many others that have failed at this type of information presentation. I am giving it a five not only because of it’s usefulness but also because this book suceeds where so many have failed. And at $16 it’s a great buy.