“Ben is, without a doubt, one of the most gifted and talented Photoshop teachers on the planet, and this book is a brilliant way to learn the new features fast, in a way that only Ben can teach it. Highly recommended!”
–Scott Kelby Editor & Publisher, Photoshop User Magazine (PhotoshopUser.com)
“I don’t read Photoshop books anymore, except one—Ben Willmore’s Up to Speed. Even though many of us in the photographic community are members of the Photoshop development and beta teams, we still read this book. You don’t need to read another thing. Ben is a force of Nature.”
–George DeWolfe Senior Editor, View Camera and Camera Arts Magazines (GeorgeDeWolfe.com)
“Ben is no shill, he doesn’t just tell you what’s new and great... if he sees a weakness he’s quick to point that out as well. If you want a comprehensive and easy to read update on the latest version of Photoshop, then Ben’s book is the one for you.”
–Taz Tally Author, Avoiding the Output Blues (TazSeminars.com)
“Ben has done it again! He has taken the voodoo out of the new release of CS4 and made it simple and easy to do more then just get up to speed. I depend on his book to make the new release a quick learn and usable tool in my workflow and teaching. He does not disappoint, his new book makes me look like a genius!”
–Moose Peterson Author 23 books and Nikon Legend Behind the Lens (MoosePeterson.com)
“The quickest way I get up to speed on EVERY new version of Photoshop is to talk Ben in to letting me read his Up To Speed books just before they go to press. I find them to be concise, to the point and explained in such a way that just makes sense. I wish every Photoshop book was written with the ease of Ben’s books.”
–Vincent Versace Author, Welcome to OZ: A Cinematic Approach to Digital Photography(VersacePhotography.com)
“Ben has once again saved me valuable time in getting going on the latest version of Photoshop. What I like most about Ben’s way of addressing Photoshop is that he has become an excellent photographer, understands how photographers think and makes it all understandable and relatively simple. That’s a pretty neat trick with all that Photoshop does!”
– George D. Lepp Field Editor, Outdoor Photographer and PC Photo Magazines (GeoLepp.com)
“Tastes Great - Less Filling!!! That’s right, Ben delivers ALL the meat about what’s new in CS4, with none of the wasted calories associated with wading through giant buffet-sized books! An absolute must-have! Don’t hesitate. Without this book, you are wasting precious time, energy and money.”
– Jack Davis Author of the Photoshop Wow and How to Wow series (AdventuresInPhotoshop.com)
“Ben’s insights in his Up to Speed books always save me so much time. With Ben’s help I can quickly learn the newest, most important features in Photoshop without having to wade through a lot of useless information. Ben delivers all I need in a comprehensive and easy to understand manner. Once again he delivers a book I can’t live without!”
–Lewis Kemper Contributing Editor, Outdoor Photographer and PC Photo Magazines (LewisKemper.com)
“I have always enjoyed the way that Ben explains things. He makes even complex subjects seem easy. Add to this, his passion for the art and you have a book that not only informs but also inspires.”
– Colin Smith Author or Co-Author of more than 15 books on Photoshop (PhotoshopCAFE.com)
“You’ve worked with Photoshop for years. You already know the program. You don’t need a refresher course. You just need to know what’s new. This book is for you!”
–Pete Bauer Author, Photoshop for Dummies
“One of the reasons I look forward to a new version of Photoshop is not necessarily in the program itself or the new bells and whistles as much as knowing that there will be a new UP TO SPEED book that will make all of the new stuff really rock for me. If you want to be the best at what you do, Ben’s book is just for you.”
–Randy Hufford Director of New Technology, Institute Of Visual Arts Maui (ivaMaui.com).
“A new version of Photoshop! What do all these new things do? Don’t worry, Ben guides you through what is new in a way that makes the anxiety go away. Ben is the medicine for the headache of the upgrade transition.”
– Bert Monroy Hyper-realistic Artist and Author Photoshop Studio: Digital Painting (BertMonroy.com)
Chapter 1 Bridge CS4 2
Where’s My Stuff? 3
Interface Changes 6
Path Bar 15
Collections Panel 16
Output Panel 17
Misc. Changes 20
Chapter 2 Camera Raw 5.0 26
Where’s My Stuff? 27
Adjustment Brush 28
Graduated Filter 33
Post Crop Vignetting 34
Misc. Improvements 36
Chapter 3 Interface Changes 38
Where’s My Stuff? 39
Terminology 40
Redesigned Panels 41
Application Bar 42
Tabbed Windows 44
Application Frame 45
Misc. Changes 46
Chapter 4 Adjustments 48
Where’s My Stuff? 49
Adjustments Panel 50
Vibrance Adjustment 55
Targeted Adjustment Icon 57
Misc. Changes 58
Chapter 5 Tools 60
Where’s My Stuff? 61
Brushes 62
Retouching Tools 64
Notes Tool 67
Rotate View Tool 68
Navigation Methods 69
Misc. Changes 72
Chapter 6 Layers 74
Where’s My Stuff? 75
Content-Aware Scale 76
Auto-Align Layers 80
Auto-Blend Layers 83
Photomerge 89
Smart Objects 90
Masks Panel 94
Misc. Changes 98
Chapter 7 General Improvements 100
Where’s My Stuff? 101
Color Range 102
Flash Panels 108
Save for Web & Devices 110
Color Management 113
Misc. Changes 120
Index 124
yo ben...
You quoted everyone but me... did I say something wrong... =o)
Love your book, up to speed is just the best man... thank you... et
Posted by: tappdaddy | November 12, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Terrific book -- just what I needed to learn about the new CS4 features only. But Ben should offer an on-line update tutorial on the new features of CR5.2, which was released after the publication of the CS4 Up to Speed book.
Posted by: Mike Meyer | December 26, 2008 at 03:28 PM