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Posted on 22/12/05 00:46:56 AM |
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timpl
* Posts: 12 Reply |
A book comment
I have finally figured out why this HTCIPS is different than all of the other books I have seen. In the first few pages Steve presents PS basic tools, but as you go through the book Steve explains how to do pictures with PS. All of the other books I have seen explain how to use PS with pictures. Seems like a subtle difference, but it is huge to a person with no artistic ability. I can now see (bad) things in my picture I never saw before. I still cannot fix all of them but hey, I can now see them, that is the first step. I sure wouldn't mind seeing more subtle techniques in the 4th addition. (e.g. the shiny candle stick discussion was great) |
Posted on 22/12/05 09:31:34 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7023 Reply  |
Re: A book comment
Well, thanks for the comment, Tim. I think you've pretty much summed up what was in my mind when I first began to write the book. The way I saw it, most PS books take you through the tools and menus, showing you what each tool does, what each filter does, how to hold down modifier keys so they do something different, and so on. It's rather like writing a recipe book by describing the taste sensations brought about by each herb and spice: OK, you may learn the mechanics, but you don't really know how to cook anything. My aim was to work backwards, from the problem to the solution: rather like in the Friday Challenges, or the way I'm commissioned. People don't come to me and say Hey, what can you do with the Plastic Wrap filter? They ask me for the word 'Pensions' written in treacle. And it's this problem-solving approach to Photoshop that has always intrigued me, and that I wanted to get across in the book. With each new edition, I've concentrated on two main areas: the first is helping people to master the basics, such as the Pen Tool, Curves, Layer Masks, and so on. These are essential skills which most PS artists, even those who have been working in the industry professionally for years, still don't have. It's not an area that really fits with the main thrust of the book - and, indeed, it uses up pages I'd rather devote to more interesting stuff - but I do believe it's necessary. The second area, as you point out, is about making montages look good. That's why I introduced the Perspective chapter in the third edition: and I hope to add a more comprehensive chapter on composition techniques in a future edition. Your request for subtle techniques is a good one. I'm aware that in many cases I've rather bludgeoned the point home, and this is because some techniques have to be made really clear in order to show how they work. But, yes, there is certainly room for some of the more thoughtful, detailed work in there. I was doing a montage the other day which included a coffee cup on a desk, and almost without thinking about it I flattened the top of the cup slightly to change the perspective viewpoint. It wasn't until afterwards that I realized this was actually something that needed to be explained! Anyway, sorry to ramble on, but I thought your post needed a reply! Steve |
Posted on 24/12/05 4:05:11 PM |
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timpl
* Posts: 12 Reply |
Re: A book comment
Steve; Many thanks for your detailed reply. I enjoyed your thoughts. Your cookbook analogy is very good. What really brought the point home to me was two of your videos, you verbally brought a few points home to me. The first was "darker is deeper" well duh that makes perfect sense but remember I am a person who has trouble drawing stick figures. Another point was the darknening of the sky in the back. Another vide is withe the eyes, where you mention you can do it in with two points. Try as I might, the best I can do is four (and have it somewhat "eye shaped"). I have watched the video a dozen times, read the book several times. I guess this an argument for a DVD (as in earlier postings) QuictTime seems to have dropped frames just where I need it most. If I can say it, Have a Merry Christmas. thanks timpl  |