A Book on General Image Editing Concepts? 51
halftrack asks: "Someone I know wanted 'Photoshop for Dummies' for Christmas because she wanted to learn how to use it properly (who hasn't struggled trying to draw a simple line?) However, having a strong disliking for any sort of vendor lock-in I went searching for a book that would teach image editing without tying it too strongly to Photoshop (or Gimp for that matter). However, all my searches turned out blank. Thus I was wondering if there exists such a book, or is the field too diverse? The ideal would be a (thick) book that would cover the basic concepts (layers, paths, selections, channels etc.,) before presenting how these concepts are implemented in different applications. Such a book should provide the reader with a portable skill-set and give her/him the ability to objectively choose the right tool for the job, at the right cost. Does this book exist?"
Each program has its own methods and functions... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Each program has its own methods and functions. (Score:5, Insightful)
But you can. There are basic artistic concepts (Golden mean, rule of thirds, composition, balance, color theory, etc.) that apply just as well to charcoal, pencil, crayons, and finger paints. For that matter, they apply to photography. More specifically, there are basic techniques that apply no matter what image editor you are using.
What you can't do is a step-by-step guide covering every different way to achieve the same thing with different tools. You couldn't even cover all the different ways to do it with the same tool.
A book like the submitter suggested would be a valuable resource for learning what tools are available and why you would use them. Then you could refer to the manual to figure out how to do it with your particular tool. Being a Gimp user, that's basically what I do anyway.
Re:Each program has its own methods and functions. (Score:2)
Though a good book not for dummies that covers a lot of theory is Computer Graphics Prinicples and Practice [amazon.com] by Foley and Van Dam.
I think the newer versions have C code instead of abstract code.
Seems to me... (Score:2)
Re:Seems to me... (Score:5, Interesting)
Filters are but one example. I would also like to know how to lighten an underexposed picture without making it look washed out. And other things like that.
Re:Seems to me...I like being a geek. (Score:1, Interesting)
Which goes a long ways towards explaining why busy professionals are always in danger of layoffs.
Re:Seems to me... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Seems to me... (Score:3, Informative)
Convolution Matrix: reads a 3x3 or 5x5 area of pixels, 'multiplies' that grid by the convolution matrix, performs a sum of the values, and replaces the central pixel in that 3x3 or 5x5 grid with the cumulative value.
Does not explain at all HOW this produces sharp filters, but that's a convolution matrix.
Unsharp mask: Creates a blurred representation of the image, compares it to the original, and any place that is similar in value remains unchanged. Any place that shows
Re:Seems to me... (Score:2)
from underexposed to washed out (Score:2)
If a picture is improperly exposed you aren't using the full range of the film, since everything is moved towards white (overexposed) or black (underexposed) so you lose detail. If you take a low contrast image (dark or light) & adjust it to normal brightness, the low contrast will make it look washed out. Postprocessing of contrast can help, but you still are mi
Re:Seems to me... (Score:2)
to help an image that is a little dark or dull, try one or both of these things:
control/command-L to bring up levels, then move the middle slider left to lighten overall but not wash out highlights. bring the left slider a bit to the right to punch up the darks.
control/command-M to bring up curves. Move the cursor to the top-right corner of the grid. now come in and down one segment, so you're in the lower-left corner of the top-right square. grab the line and drag it a b
Re:Seems to me... (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Just buy the damn book (Score:5, Insightful)
Forget the "lock-in" nonsense. Every editing program rips Photoshop, as it is the gold standard for such programs.
Re:Just buy the damn book (Score:1)
Re:Just buy the damn book (Score:3, Informative)
There is no image editing program with layers, paths, filters, etc. that does not use an inter
Doesn't matter. (Score:3, Interesting)
If she is thinking about persuing a professional career in graphical editing, Photoshop is it.
The only reason I could think of to look at the other apps/books is if and only if this is for personal use only.
Re:Doesn't matter. (Score:2, Troll)
Grab any other single book off amazon.com and you'll be better off.
Photoshop is king (Score:3, Insightful)
Photoshop, Illustrator, Xara, Paintshop Pro, and a few others.
Notice GIMP isn't listed; not because it isn't any good, but because it hasn't been vetted, or 'peer reviewed' by an industry for several generations.
If your friend wants to use Photoshop, then get a book pertinent to Photoshop.
If later Xara or Illustrator or something else is more pertient, then get that book; the generalities learned in Photoshop will still be relevant, but the specifics will need detailing. It is like you trying to learn Java or Python or Ruby, and a friend saying, "Well, I don't want to get them a language specific tome, so I'll just get them a data structures book and a book on object oriented design and let them figure out the language by themselves."
You can learn about data structures and OOD/OOP using any language, and if you learn those concepts properly you can transplant them into any other language, so don't worry about your friend learning in Photoshop.
Re:Photoshop is king (Score:2)
Re:Photoshop is king (Score:2)
There are increasing amounts of vector functions in Photoshop, and likewise I expect an increase in bit-functions in Illustrator.
GIMP used on major motion pictures (Score:2)
GIMP isn't listed; not because it isn't any good, but because it hasn't been vetted, or 'peer reviewed' by an industry for several generations.
Say what? Major movie studios use Cinepaint, a fork of GIMP [movieeditor.com].
Re:GIMP used on major motion pictures (Score:2)
In fact, I would say it's a success despite GIMP [wikipedia.org].
But that's my opinion of it.
Check what she wants with it first (Score:4, Insightful)
Next, while I'd prefer a book like you describe, for many people that is something that they are not even going to start on, they want something practical that allows them to get somewhat direct result. Many people I know who use either Photoshop or the Gimp while not being a graphics professional do so with some very specific purposes in mind (ie, my girlfriend uses it for manipulating and somewhat enhancing pictures of things she makes. While showing the concept behind layers was a kind of revelation to her, and is something she uses when it makes sense now, most things she does is simply following a 'guide' for getting a specific kind of effect or enhancement.
What did help her a lot more with getting a better result in the end was a semi professional camera and some practical photography experience and explanation, including some general theory of picture composition and lighting. Worked better because well, a better source is a great help in getting a better result (tho you can still mess it up badly later of course), is something of which cause and effect are relatively easy to demonstrate without needing too deep an understanding of the underlying theory, and of course it simply reduces the need to use things like photoshop beyond making a proper cut or maybe some sharpening or softening.
At any rate, I'd investigate what the intended use of the book is for your friend, your idea may be very good, but could as well end up on a bookshelf without ever serving its real purpose.
Since day one... (Score:3, Insightful)
Remember back to the 80's. Remember when people used to take classes in WordPerfect, or Lotus 1-2-3? Hell, I know one guy who actually got an A.S. degree in DOS! Ten years later that knowledge is worthless. Ten years from now these current classes in MSOffice will be worthless as well. Tears still come to my eyes whenever I see a 1980's office secretary passed out in the gutter and clutching a decrepit WP5.1 keyboard overlay...
Yeah yeah, we got it... (Score:2)
Personnaly, I've been playing with Corel Draw since version 1 or 2 and I've sticked with Corel since then. At some point, I've started using Photoshop because it was obviously more advanced in photo editing than Corel. But since Corel 7, I got back to Corel Photopaint (that's when they started copying Phot
Re:Yeah yeah, we got it... (Score:2)
You were right on something though, the submitter is asking for a book and I'm suggesting online tutorials. Granted, I'm not answering
I've wanted a book just like that. (Score:3, Interesting)
Something that described how to draw or how to paint, but with emphasis on how to do it electronically instead of by hand.
I really think I'd have an easier time with something that was a blend of conceptual ideas (which are rare in these books) and concrete examples (that are everywhere, of course).
So if anyone can suggest such a book, I'd love to hear ideas.
D
A sad comment (Score:5, Insightful)
As a longtime photography enthusiast, I understand the concepts of gamma curves and color temperature. I know that I want detail in the shadows and in the highlights. Since I have deep knowledge of photography, it doesn't matter which program I use. I can produce "better" results in 5 minutes on any image editor than than someone who has read a photoshop book, but doesn't understand the concepts involved could in an hour.
I think the whole "windows vs. linux" problem is the same. I can switch freely between Mac, Windows and Linux without any loss of productivity because I understand conceptually what I'm doing.
Re:A sad comment (Score:2, Insightful)
There is a really simple solution. (Score:3, Interesting)
I know there have to be some folks here on
Wikibooks.org (Score:1)
Just buy one (Score:2)
Having used Photoshop for a few years (at
Re:Just buy one (Score:2)
(Looks up to his bookshelf)
Design Patterns - Almost 400 pages.
Code Complete - Almost a THOUSAND pages
answer (Score:1)
If you want to edit photos, the first item of any answer would be "get Photoshop". No ifs, ands, or buts. Then learn to use it. You probably want to buy Professional Photoshop: The Classic Guide to Color Correction by Dan Margulis.
If you want to draw stuff, there's probably a different answer.
GIMP Books and Tutorials (Score:2)
Without using any dead-tree books, I taught myself how to use GIMP and other free graphic software like Pixia and ArtRage
Photoshop channel chops (Score:4, Informative)
If you aspire to be a hardcore Photoshop user, this book is probably the one you want above all others. It's not a step-by-step tutorial, a mere reference book, or a book that leads you through the tools and various functions of the software. Instead it discusses the fundamental concepts you need to know to use Photoshop to its fullest. ... Most of the book is still applicable since Photoshop today still has channels, alpha channels, paths, layers, and calculations. This book hasn't been updated since it was written in 1998, but it really doesn't need to be. It's not about how to use particular tools and new features. It's about how to think with Photoshop. ...
Unfortunatelly it is out of print:-(
Re:Photoshop channel chops (Score:2)
Re:Photoshop channel chops (Score:2)
And can I add, if your friend is the least bit interested in color correction, add any edition of Dan Margulis' Professional Photoshop to the list. It's basically an entire book about the curves command, and written in an engaging style that doesn't read like a computer book.
The guy's an iconoclast, and lots of people disagree vehemently with him, but his skillz are indisputable, and anyone who taught a colorblind person to color correct, and can use Bob Dylan and Emily Dickinson to explain color se
Vendor-neutrality... (Score:2)
Get a book on Graphic Design concepts. (Score:2)
I did a graphic design course that focused on fundamentals - like how a normal person reads a page, and what shapes grab attention, etc that required all drawing ideas to be done with your hands - not your computer.
I backed this up with a lot of books on airbrushing, which