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Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual: The Missing Manual

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Binding:	Kindle Edition
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Label:	Pogue Press
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Publisher:	Pogue Press
Studio:	Pogue Press

Editorial Reviews

Photoshop CS5 is more amazing than ever, but it can be overwhelming if you're just getting started. This book makes learning Photoshop a breeze by explaining things in a conversational, friendly style -- with no technical jargon. After a thorough introduction to the program, you'll delve deep into Photoshop's secrets with expert tips and practical advice you can use every day.

Learn your way around. Get a guided tour of Photoshop's efficient new workspace
Unlock the power. Learn the best ways to use layers, channels, masks, paths, and more
Bring images to life. Discover how to effectively retouch, resize, and recolor your photos
Be artistic. Create beautiful illustrations and paintings, and use text effectively
Share your work. Produce great-looking photos for print and the Web
Work smarter and faster. Automate common chores and install plug-ins for complex tasks
Get bonus online content. Find more great material on the Missing CD page

Written with the clarity, humor, and objective scrutiny, Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual is the friendly, thorough resource you need.

Customer Reviews

Photoshop CS5 The Missing Manual is the book you should buy first and will refer to most often.

It is well and clearly written so that you don't need to read some other book to understand this one. Excellent and complete tutorials teach you how to use the most important tools. It is well organized and referenced so you can find what you need to know when you need it, It is also interesting and pleasant reading.

You will refer to Photoshop CS5 The Missing Manual the most because it covers all the Photoshop concepts and information you need, and because it is so well organized. There is a special listing for photographers of the material they will need.

Part one, The Basics, begins with the information you need for working with workspaces, panels, and documents, and then moves into the basic photoshop concepts of layers, selections, and color channels. All are covered simply and clearly.

The chapter on Selections begins with selection by color using the Quick Selection Tool with a tutorial including the new Refine Edge so that you not only understand it, you can do it. Then it describes how you can use selections by shape and add and subtract selected areas.

Part two, Editing Images, covers editing images; cropping, combining, changing color, Photoshopping people, and sharpening. Part three, The Artistic Side of Photoshop, covers painting, drawing, typography, and filters. Part four is Printing and the Web. Part five, Photoshop Power, covers working with actions and plug-ins. There is is a five part appendix and the usual fine Missing Manual index.

This is one of the most difficult to follow manuals I have ever read, on any subject. I do not question Lesa's knowledge of her subject, but her style of writing leaves me frustrated. I am not new to PS; CS5 is only my latest after CS2, CS4 and a couple editions of Elements. What I find frustrating is her constant need to refer the reader back and forth to other sections and/or pages in the book. It is common to be referred backward and forward several times in a single paragraph. How helpful is it to be referred to page 388 when you are reading on page 133 and then in the same paragraph be referred back to page 58. This happens over and over and I finally laid the book aside and ordered another version, different author. I also found it heavy on illustrations, documents, text and art work, and light on digital image post-processing. This is OK for those who do this, but the book should be presented as such.

I have been teaching Photoshop for five years. I've read over 5000 pages of various manuals and books and finally there is a clear, comprehensive, and, most of all, complete book for Photoshop CS5. It's all there: how to do it, where to find it, and why to use it. There are more than enough clear color illustrations and links to additional on-line information. Ms. Snider presents it all with a sense of comfortable knowledge and a sense of humor. All the information is thoughtfully laid out with step-by-step instructions on how to use each command. This Missing Manual goes beyond just photography and clearly presents Photoshop CS5's illustration and web applications. This is the new "buy-this-one-book" for all my students. Roger Baker, Albuquerque, NM, USA

'Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual' is a 750+ page book that will show you ALL the ins and outs of using Photoshop CS5. Tailored towards the newbie Photoshop user, the content here is anything but newbie! With 19 chapters of content and in FULL FULL FULL color, this is a great learning tool to getting through all the ABCs of Photoshop!

McKinnon Overview

01. The Basics
02. Opening, Viewing, Saving Files
03. Layers
04. Selections
05. Channels
06. Cropping, Resizing, Rotating
07. Joining Images
08. Draining, Changing, Adding Color
09. Correcting Color and Lighting
10. Photoshopping People
11. Sharpening Images
12. Painting in Photshop
13. Drawing with Vector tools
14. Creating Artistic Text
15. Filters
16. Photoshop and Print
17. Photoshop and the Web
18. Actions
19. Plug-Ins

This is an easy book to put a stamp of approval on and it's another gem in the Missing Manual line of books, one of the greatest technical publishing lines out there today!!

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The first thing I noticed that about lesa's book on "photoshop cs5 the missing manual" is that in the very beginning she talks about it being dedicated to the god of wine bacchus, which kind of sets the whole tone for the book. She has a very light style, but the book is extremely informative and for those of you more familiar with Photoshop CS4 already the first chapter talks about the differences between the two versions and is must start place. This section is very concise and well written. It guides you to exactly where you need to go and hyperlinks take you right there. This feature along almost makes price-to-book worthwhile.

One of the pleasurable aspects of this book is watching the document names used throughout the examples. I won't spoil the surprise but make sure when you read the book you watch for them. They really show off leas's sense of humor and her Texas twang comes throughout even in her writing.

From the technical point she is right now. Adding on to her already excellent missing manual cs4 book cs5 is well integrated and the differences are highlighted so that the experienced user transitioning to cs5 can quickly find the differences, but the new user to photoshop is given very easy to follow instructions. There are more Then an ample number of examples with the files readily available for you to follow along.

My only real criticism of this book and it really is not a criticism but more of a wish, is that the book is designed as a reference manual and as that it is wonderful. What lesa needs to develop is a companion book that is tutorial in nature so that it could be used in the classroom, or for home training. While there are excellent example photos provided on the web site, i think that formal lessons with this as the reference manual would make this a killer combination.

If you only can have one photoshop book in your electronic library or even the hard back edition, this is the one to get.

I've used a number of how-to books on various adobe products.
I just started learning photoshop and I have to say this book is not so helpful.
I really feel that I learn best when the book is in workbook style. So instead of saying "the layers are here and brushes are here," I'd learn much better if the book was like, "let's make a poster and learn how things work."
I'm sure that the author is a photoshop guru, but the organization is truly confusing because you have to jump around all the time to different pages to learn one feature.
Also, I appreciate books that show you where the tools are with a picture instead of saying that "this is the second tool in the upper left hand option bar."
Maybe the book is easier to understand towards the end, but I can't seem to get past the first couple chapters.

I think I'll hang on to this book because I think it will work as a reference book, but for my learning guide I think I'll need to find a book with a DVD that contains lessons.

I've been using Photoshop since 1991 when it first came out. When I got Photoshop CS5 Extended I considered all the books available to help me use the features of this ever evolving monster app. Lisa Snider nailed it. A pleasant and friendly writing style that shares the tips, secrets and side shows plus the essential basics we need. The number of illustrations really helps the reader grasp what she's describing and the whole "feel" of the book is substantial without being one of the "Bibles" on Photoshop that no one expects you to read cover to cover. If you are new to Photoshop - or just upgraded for the first time in years - this is the Missing Manual you need.

I tip my hat to Lesa Snider for creating an accessible and comprehensive learning tool on the power tool we call Photoshop.

-Robert Barnes

I found the author's writing to be clear and precise but entertaining to read . . . Ms. Snider's a real gem. As a Photoshop novice, I often turn to this book to find out how to do most anything, and I've yet to be disappointed in how techniques were explained or sad because something was missing. I'll keep this book right by my computer for as long as I use CS5, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs Photoshop help, from the very basic stuff to the more complex.

Explains in detail how to acomplish each task. I owned The Missing Manual for Emements 8 before I purchased CS5. I looked for a book in this series and could not find one when I first purchased CS5, yet all the other books out there seemed geared towards more experienced users. This came out about 5 months after I purchased CS5. Best beginner book out there!

The book is not only thorough in its coverage of of PS, but more importantly, is entertaining and non-monotonous to read. That's quite a feat for a reference book when the reader is always compelled to keep reading through to the next page. The author clearly knows her stuff, and she breaks down all the features of PS in a very well thought out manner. The screen shots in this book are definitely worth more than a thousand words, as they greatly help clarify some of the more confusing or hard to visualize concepts of PS. The author doesn't just explain a feature, she then relates it to the real world in her examples. Always mindful to make that connection between a feature and how it can be applied on your own just amplifies your appreciation of what and why you're learning something. This isn't just a glorified tutorial on PS- it truly is a manual on it, but written in a tutorial style. That's what makes it such a great book. I'm only close to half way through it, and every page has added to my understanding of PS in a practical way. Highly recommended.

For several years I bought "Photoshop Bible" by Deke McClelland to learn the basics and when Martin Evening came out with his "Adobe Photoshop for Photographers" series, I bought those for a second source of information. When I upgraded to Photoshop CS5, I bought Martin Evenings "Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers" and when I heard about Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual", I decided to get that from Amazon too. The quality of paper used in "The Missing Manual" equals that used in Martin Evenings editions which far surpass the uncoated paper in the "Bibles" I own, resulting in a less bulky book with superior rendition of photographs and illustrations and an overall feeling of quality. More important is the difference in the presentation by the two authors: I'm not saying one is better than the other, I'm saying that in spite of the repetition between the information presented, which is unavoidable since they are both trying to be complete in their coverage; the nuances discovered when you read both helps for a better understanding and retention of the information presented. I think it is money well spent as Martin Evenings book and "The Missing Manual" both come with a CD of images that can be used as learning aids with the description of techniques in the texts of both. I'll be looking to Amazon for the next "Missing Manual" when Adobe decides to upgrade Photoshop again.

Lesa Snider has accomplished what few have been able to...she has managed to capture all you need to know about CS5 in an interesting format, with concise, cogent instruction. Ms. Snider also provides relevant illustrations that reinforce the info for the more visual learner. It is clear that the author knows this program and understands it's intricacies, yet is able to walk the reader through each segment in a manner that is easy for every skill level to absorb. This IS the manual that was missing, and I am so glad I found it....Thanks to Ms. Snider, it's certainly not 'missing' any more! :)

Here is the review we published in Design Tools Monthly:
Some people have a gift for language; some have a gift for clarity; some have the gift of understanding complex concepts. Rarely do you find all three in one person, and even more rarely is that person the author of a Photoshop book. Lesa Snider is one of them, and her book Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual is a joy to read. In it, she covers every feature in Photoshop not only in depth, but using examples you'll appreciate and enjoy. This labor of love is obviously the result of years of teaching professionals to use Photoshop, and we think you'll enjoy it immensely. (Scott Kelby, the founder of NAPP and editor/publisher of Photoshop User magazine calls it "the new Photoshop bible.")

Photoshop CS5 the Missing Manual by Lesa Snider is jam packed with great instruction, tips and tricks, and keyboard shortcuts.
This book will take you through the A to Z's of Photoshop, and is also a great resource as a quick reference to look up any Photoshop theme or subject.
Playful images and very useful instruction from Lesa Snider's years of industry experience make this book a MUST have!
As Scott Kelby says - "it's the new Photoshop bible!"

Excellent manual. Takes you step by step through the overwhelming number of functions in CS5. As a relatively newcomer to CS5, I was totally confused regarding the capabilities of the program. This manual starts at the very beginning and takes you step by step through the major
elements +. I still have a very long way to go to become proficient but going slowly and following the recommended sequences, the vast potentials of the program are beginning to make sense. I am sure that by the time I complete the lessons a few times I will be able to use the program at an acceptable level.

I strongly recommend this to all CS5 users.

This book is exceptionally well done. Virtually every feature and tool of CS5 is clearly explained. The index is excellent which makes it easy to use the book as reference when you have a question or a problem to solve. I have numerous Photoshop books and this is clearly the best. I had the CS4 version and was so pleased with it that I purchased the CS5 edition as soon as it was available.

Yes, this is the heavyweight of Photoshop CS5 manuals/tutorials. No mere kitchen tour like so many hastily assembled manuals I have come accross before. This book will teach you E V E R Y T H I N G there possibly is to know about working with Photoshop - NOT just Photoshop CS5's new features. This book is definitely worth its weight in gold even for the the "weathered" Photoshopper. The writing is breezy and witty, the screenshots are funky, and every important technique is explained and then reinforced with a step by step exercise. Basic concepts are repeated over and over throughout the book.

I have lived with Photoshop since V4 and yet was able to find a heap of little gems tucked away in special tips and sidebars, as well as clear explanations (finally!) on some techniques that had remained opaque to me until now (like the use of the blending sliders, or the calculations dialog box). Read this manual front to back - it's fun! - then make sure it's sitting snugly at your elbow whenever you feel the urge to click that little blue icon on your desktop.

PS: make sure to check out all the appendixes and companion materials on the O'Reilly website too.

The reviews on the missing manual for CS4 were pretty good, so I gave this one a look. Bingo, says I. I have only spot read it so far, but know already this is one fine "learn CS5" book. Well organized, the tutorials are clear, lots of references, and a web site with all the files for following along, links to video tuts, etc. I moved from CS3 to CS5, so had some photoshop experience, however if you are diving into PS with the latest edition, I believe this fine book would make life simpler. I don't think I will need any others....

I tend to work best from knowing how a software package works rather than a series of tutorials. Not that it isn't helpful to have some examples. This book is a good balance for me. At about 800 pages plus two more chapters to download it could be intimidating for the newcomer, but so is CS5.

This is a book that every photographer should have on his desk. The content is easy to read, simple to find, and provides the correct solution to any Photoshop problem.

While the book can be read from start to finish, it is also an excellent reference book to jump into when needed. The language is simple and does not assume that the reader has massive technical knowledge.

Of the many Photoshop books that I have read this is definitely one of the best. If you only buy one Photoshop book, this should be the one.

Highly recommended.

I wish I had had some version of this book years ago when I was first starting to use Photoshop. I am now up to CS5, and this book gives me information I had never read before. I highly recommend it.

This book arrived quickly. It has so much in it to help me through the rough spots of this new program. I had PS2 so I needed all the help I could get as there were so many changes made since I purchased my "upgrade" to PS2. This will be a great book to refer to in a "help, what do I do now" moment.

I purchased the book to use as a reference, rather than a "how to" for projects. It fits that bill nicely.
If you are looking for a project-centered book, take a look at Scott Kelby's book for CS 5.
I would, and have, gotten both.

I consider myself reasonably experienced at Photoshop, but I never picked up a book before. I get most of my knowledge from the online help, info on the web and stumbling upon things by accident (perhaps the most effective method).
I felt the need to get this book mainly because, while reading those things on the web, I was thinking: 'hey, that's the kind of thing that would have been good to know two years ago' Simple stuff, like how layer blending modes really work.
This book delivers what it title promises. It really is the missing manual. I started reading on page 1 (even though you don't have to) and learned something on almost every page. It also works well as a reference manual. The level of detail about (comparitively) mundane stuff like layer management is amazing.
The only two gripes I have are, that the great level of detail is not consisent throughout. For example, 10 pages (or so) are spent on basic selection techniques, which is good but that's simple stuff, and then only about half a page on removing a color fringe from a selection, which is hard and a royal pain in the *** when replacing backgrounds, for example. I would have appreciated the same level of guidance on this difficult topic. The second and last minor criticism is that, for a reference manual, it would have been good to have things like an overview of shortcut keys and such.
All in all, good book though, and well worth the money in time saving alone.

My husband gave me this book for Christmas last year after I had taken an introductory photoshop class and wanted to learn more. It is the only book of its kind that I've ever read cover to cover, and that is because it was so well-written and fun to read, not to mention interesting and incredibly useful. Photoshop bible is right! Simply learning the trick on how to scroll for fonts on page 583 was alone worth the price of the book, in my opinion. What a timesaver! I learned so many critical photoshop concepts and practical techniques from this book. It now stands in all its dog-eared glory on a shelf of many other pristine (i.e., rarely used) software guides. Buy it!

I have the digital version loaded on my iPad. It's an amazing book. Immensely useful to any Photoshop CS-5 user.

Being an amateur photographer, I use Photoshop products quite a lot and this book is the best I've seen yet with the amount of education, lessons and knowledge it imparts. It literally is by my right hand constantly.

it wasn't what i wanted but it turned out to be what i needed.

I was looking for more instruction, less reference. However, it is a really fine reference text. It's big AND heavy and if you need information about a feature in Photoshop, you'll find it in here.

Lesa has a gift for teaching in such a simple and clean manor that she can make the complicated and intimidating seem so painless. Her drills are complete and she walks you through step by step. I found it so comprehensive I didn't have to seek help elsewhere in order to understand her instructions. Her book is pleasant filled with little "Lesaisms" that make you smile along the way. I am very pleased with this book. I highly recommend it to everyone at any level!!!

The title says it all. This is the manual that should have been included in the box with Photoshop. I will use it as needed on demand, but I will also read and study it for a better understanding and more satisfying (= less frustrating) use of the program.

I like having this book as reference, and I enjoy that the author frequently references other parts of the book. Her language is clear, concise, and yet not dry. Thoroughly glad I bought this book!

Everyone that uses Photoshop for a living should have their own copy of this book. Clear, concise and easy to understand. Thanks, Lesa!

This answers any questions and more. I like her writing style, it is easy to understand. I always like Missing Manuals and feel that the company requires only the best.

Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual is a 'must' for any Photoshop CS5 reference collection. It offers a guided tour of Photoshop's new environment, telling how to bring images to life and how to take full advantage of its graphic design qualities. No technical jargon is used, here - just a conversational style and an easy introduction to the program, building on the basics of its use. No Photoshop CS5 library should be without this easy, basic handbook!

The package came quickly and was in great condition! I bought it used and it looks brand new. Quite happy with my purchase :)

Lesa has written a comprehensive book offering excellent advice. This is one of the best books I've seen on Photoshop, and over the years, I've read quite a number of them. You'll find many tips and tricks that will make your work with Photoshop easier and more pleasant. As a DSLR photographer working in raw, I found in this book many ways to enhance photos that I'd never heard of before. Highly recommend: if you are primarily a photographer, it's the only book on Photoshop you'll need.

This book was received in mid June, but none of the Part Six Appendices were printed in the book, nor were they available on-line. Names of the Appendixes: Installing Photoshop; Troubleshooting and Getting Help; Using Adobe Bridge; Photoshops's Tool Panel; and Photoshop Menu by Menu. Several weeks later the appendixes became available. The on-line files may not be down loaded, but they can be printed. I was hoping for a cook-book approach to using CS-5 with suggested settings. In my opinion, this book does not offer what I need. Had there been an offering by Peachpit Press, I would have ordered it.

A premier book for anyone who wants to get the most out of Photoshop CS5. Very detailed and loaded with pictures.

The book starts with an acknowledgment to Bacchus and that's the way the book feels like its been written. Reeling drunkenly from topic to topic without much substance. The book's oddly disjointed 'organization' constantly forces a reader to jump somewhere ahead in the book as the author briefly mentions something and refers to you later in the book. It is an okay tool to use once or twice, but the book is filled with such redirections. The author's jocular writing style doesn't come across well. It made me wonder at times if I was meant to take anything the author was describing seriously. It's a fine line, but a bit more professionalism is style would have been better. As far as coverage of the subject matter, the job done is only so-so. Color management (a hotly contested issue with many) is only briefly touched upon and not handled very well. The section on third party plug-ins could have been left out completely.

Covering something as complex as Photoshop is a tremendous task. While the book may have some value for beginners with the software, there are much better offerings out there. The author's style and organization are too disjointed for this to be considered a quality reference work on the subject. Save your money and pass on this book, readers can find better resources to spend cash on.

This book is not for beginners. It assumes a certain level of expertise with computers and photoshop. It was not very helpful for me.

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