"How-to" book best tool for learning

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I like to hold a reference book in my hands when I'm learning a new piece of hardware, software or other computer-related device.

For some people, learning new technology is "intuitive," or "logical"( another word for "easy"), and I'm jealous because I can't pick up the skills as easily as those natural techies. But in the end, I usually do get it.

Still, I'm picky about what I choose to learn, and I try to equip myself with helpers, such as a clearly written user manual or "how-to" book that steps through the technology I'm trying to learn.

If any of you share my desire for bookish resources for learning, I can suggest some readable and comprehensive books that have been (and still are) helpful to me. Today's offerings are about photography; I'll cover other tech books soon.

iPhoto '06

• "iPhoto '06: The Missing Manual," by David Pogue and Derrick Story (Pogue Press/O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2006, $30).

Most of the "Missing Manual" series I've read have been extremely helpful for learning the software or hardware.

This one focuses on the latest version of Apple's photo organizing and editing software, iPhoto '06, part of the iLife '06 suite installed on all new Macs (and available separately).

The book begins with an overview of digital photography, including how to master the art and craft of taking portraits, capturing performances and travel highlights, getting good nature shots, using a flash, and more.

Then it covers the basics of using iPhoto to organize and edit images, and, finally, it explains how to create slideshows, make good prints and share photos via e-mail, the Web, and podcasts.

The book is clearly written and can be helpful for both beginners and more experienced iPhoto users.

Photoshop CS2

There are quite a few books for Photoshop CS2 users, and luckily, the range includes books for those just learning to use Photoshop and for experienced users.

• "Photoshop CS2 Before & After Makeovers," by Taz Tally (Wiley, 2006, $30)

This book is particularly useful for photographers who want to improve photos that could be great, with a little help from Photoshop.

Chapters introduce Photoshop's essential makeover tools and then explain how to use them to improve exposure, color, composition, sharpening, shadows, and more.

The Repair makeovers chapter, for example, includes how to fix faded images and remove blemishes, scratches and wrinkles.

Directions for step-by-step fixes are clear and easy to follow. For photographers who want to have Photoshop recipes handy for fixing common problems, this is a good choice.

• "Photoshop CS2 for Dummies," by Peter Bauer (Wiley, 2005, $25)

Like other books in the "Dummies" series, this one takes the reader through basic training with the software (or hardware) at hand, in this case, Photoshop CS2.

It begins with an overview of Photoshop's tools and processes, followed by more detailed explanations of file formats, palettes, tools and settings, as well as how to use Bridge to organize photo files.

Then it goes into how to edit images, including how to use Photoshop's Levels, Curves, and Shadows/Highlights tools, and more.

Photoshop CS2 is packed full of tools and features, and this book's clear explanations of how to use them makes learning Photoshop actually possible for amateur photographers who are willing to spend the time to learn.

• "Digital SLR Photography with Photoshop CS2 All-in-One for Dummies," by Kevin Ames (Wiley, 2006, $35)

This "Dummies" book differs from Peter Bauer's in that it begins by describing the DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera and all it can do. Then it covers digital images, file formats, archiving, and using Camera Raw.

About half way through, Ames begins digging into Photoshop CS2 tools and features, and manages to cover the basics quite clearly. So, if you're interested in this wider range of topics, pick Ames' book, but if you'd prefer to focus on learning Photoshop CS2, choose Bauer's book.

• "Outdoor Photographer Landscape and Nature Photography with Photoshop CS2," by Rob Sheppard. (Wiley, 2006, $35)

Those who want to learn more about shooting and processing nature photos (with Photoshop) may want to take a close look at this book.

Sheppard emphasizes shooting photos correctly from the start, and explains exposure, visualization and composition. Then he discusses file formats, cropping, and other adjustments, and dealing with color. Then he suggests special techniques for nature photographers.

The book's explanations are clear and accompanied by helpful photo examples and Photoshop screens.

• "Stephen Johnson on Digital Photography," by Stephen Johnson (O'Reilly, 2006, $40).

This book provides a feast of photographs for anyone interested in capturing nature, or shooting excellent portraits. Johnson is an artist as well as a photographer and uses this book to help us (readers) develop our artistic eyes and photographic skills to produce photos that captivate viewers with intriguing images, careful design, and subtle colors.

To help us learn the art and craft of digital photography, Johnson teaches digital "darkroom" techniques (using Adobe Photoshop) to transform images captured by the camera into prints that hold the viewer's attention.

Rather than a basic how-to book, such as the Dummies and Missing Manual series, this one is for photographers ready to take the next steps in both artistic and technical aspects of digital photography.

Camera Raw

• "Adobe Camera Raw for Digital Photographers Only," by Rob Sheppard (Wiley, 2005, $40)

This book is for intermediate and advanced photographers who want to learn more about shooting in Camera Raw. It begins by explaining what the Camera Raw file format actually is and its advantages and disadvantages, and invites readers to decide for themselves if and when to shoot in RAW.

After this introduction, chapters dig into how to use Camera Raw, by offering a suggested workflow and explaining how to use the available tools to adjust white balance, tone, noise, and other elements that can be significantly improved if shot originally in Camera Raw.

It's a good book for mastering Camera Raw.

Write Linda Knapp at lknapp@seattletimes.com; to read other Getting Started

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