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Advanced Photoshop CS2 DVD
Review Date: 2005
Reviewed By: PS Creative
Product Reviewed: Total Training for Photoshop CS2
There are three qualities
necessary for a video tutorial
to be successful. The first is
a good host. The second is
helpful content and the third
is decent production values. We've looked at
many video tutorials in our time, and trust us
– if one of these things is a bit shaky, the whole
experience can be a let-down.
This DVD is a fine example of how video
tutorials should be done. Deke McClelland
is a supreme host. He's friendly, interesting
and doesn't patronise. While watching the
lessons you almost feel as though you're being
inducted into an Ivy-league Photoshop club
that will give you the skills you need to tackle
any image-editing task.
Content-wise, this is also a triumph. As the
title makes clear, it's for people who've been
around the Photoshop block a few times. But
while it assumes a basic knowledge of the
program, the fact that you can clearly see
what's going on (and if that wasn't enough,
you have McClelland's informative narrative)
means you won't get lost.
The lessons kick off with a look at setting up
Preferences – this is packed with useful tips for
speeding Photoshop up and generally getting
the best from it. Then it's on to specific tools
and techniques. This being a CS2 edition, a lot
of the content concentrates on CS2-specific
tools such as Vanishing Point, Smart Objects
and HDR images. But there's also plenty for
non-CS2 users, such as retouching images,
working with colour and sharpening images.
So that's two of the three criteria met,
but what about the production values? Two
words sum them up – mighty fine. You can
do everything within the viewer interface,
including skipping to other lessons and topics.
There's the expected navigation controls, but
you also get little extras, such as helpful tips
appearing along the bottom of the viewer,
and if you register you can get free bonus
learning goodies.
Okay, so the DVD costs more than your
average blockbuster (or box set, come to that),
but what you have here is prime Photoshop
knowledge in a digestible form, and that's
always a welcome combination.
View original at Photoshop Creative
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