The Hidden Power of Photoshop for Photographers

Amazon

Adobe Photoshop holds an incredible amount of power, which is sometimes locked behind a dizzying array of features and tools. Scott Valentine not only shows you the keys to unlocking that power, he also demonstrates how the keys work. You will get hands-on experience with experiments and examples as you explore new techniques for editing your images.

Written for both professionals and hobbyists, this book presents essential techniques and discusses when and how to try innovative solutions. By focusing on two core capabilities blending modes and adjustment layers―you will discover how Photoshop gives you deep control over your images to address some of photography’s most challenging problems. Photoshop users of all levels will find clear explanations and step-by-step procedures for expert techniques. Advanced users will enjoy exploring new ideas that can inform their own workflow.

For over 20 years, I have been writing or talking about Photoshop. Sometimes it gets captured in print, audio, or video! You’ll find my published books below, followed by some support files and suggested online resources. To the right is a collection of various links to interviews, videos, and tutorials. I’m working on getting a catalog of topics from my Photoshop Proving Ground column and feature articles from KelbyOne’s Photoshop User Magazine.

The Hidden Power of Blending Modes in Adobe Photoshop

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Whether you’’re a professional or hobbyist, there’’s something here for you. Beginning and intermediate users of Photoshop will learn how blend modes work and get up to speed on the most common techniques. The book also features power tips and blend mode techniques from industry experts, including Katrin Eismann, Matt Kloskowski, and RC Concepcion. Advanced and technical users will find indispensable references along with powerful enhancements and corrections. More than just a collection of effects and recipes,The Hidden Power of Blend Modes explains why the techniques work and how to tune them for your own specific needs.

The Hidden Power of Adjustment Layers in Adobe Photoshop

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Learn practical techniques that give you an edge in technical, personal, and commercial projects, no matter what your experience level with Photoshop. Beginning and intermediate users will learn how adjustment and fill layers work and get up to speed on the most common techniques. Advanced users will find indispensable reference material in addition to speedy solutions to vexing problems. More than just a collection of effects and recipes, The Hidden Power of Adjustment Layers in Adobe Photoshop explains why the techniques work and how to adapt them to your own projects.

NB: Due to license restrictions, I can no longer provide the images used in these titles. However, I have included several current sources for free stock images along with a small collection of graphical demonstration files that can be used to explore blending modes and adjustment layers. The demonstration files actually hosted on this page are provided free under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Online General Resources

Sites in this section offer free and paid images for download and use in practice or your own projects. Please read, understand and follow any licensing listed at the site. These resources are great for finding unretouched images to practice with, but many also offer great finished images as well.

Demonstration Files

I’ve created a small batch of files that are useful for exploring blending modes and adjustment layers in Adobe Photoshop, along with some utility presets that I used in my various books and columns. Feel free to use them for your own learning, sharing with classes or colleagues, or giving presentations. Under the Creative Commons license noted above, please do not modify the files for distribution or use them in commercial offerings – don’t sell them in any form.