[.ca] Adobe Photoshop Master Class: John Paul Caponigro (ISBN 0321130103)

From Amazon.co.uk:
John Paul Caponigro specialises in compositional landscape photomontages which he creates in Photoshop, superimposing rocks and stones, cloud forms, water and lighting effects with landscape backdrops. His compositions are executed with a high degree of technical competence and in Adobe Photoshop Master Class he describes his methods. There is a basic introduction to technical concepts at the beginning of the book and each chapter provides specific instruction on how to achieve a particular effect. But the bulk of the book is devoted to Caponigro's thoughts on "visual problem solving". At their most practical, these deal with techniques for converting colour images to black and white, extending dynamic range, creating duotones and digitally simulating alternative photographic processes. Caponigro then attempts to explain the purpose of his compositions. If you're a fan, these are the parts of the book you will find most illuminating; others may find the tone a touch precious. Caponigro on technique is fine--"Never forget light. If you photograph an object from many angles without rotating the object ... the direction of light in the separate images will not be cast from a consistent angle ... the separate images will no longer share a single reality". Caponigro on his own work--"The land encloses the figure. The figure encloses the land. Who's pregnant with whom? The earth with the woman, or the woman with the earth? A portion of us is made of earth. A portion of the earth is made of us. One gives voice to the other". Excruciating. --Ken McMahon

Yucky New Age photography tutorial:
Caponigro uses Photoshop effectively, yet you should really take a look at the book before purchasing to see if you can stomach his fluffy, new-age photographs. As many reviewers already noted, his thin philisophical meanderings are tiresome. I found it sad that such advanced Photoshop skills yielded such lightweight results, and would have to recommend other Photoshop books--ANY other Photoshop book--unless you are inspired by the same new-age things as John Paul.

Vast technical knowledge, deep insight - for photographers:
This is the only Photoshop book that addresses not only how but why. It's aimed at photographers and it speaks their language. It doesn't cover unrelated topics. It's focused! It's great to see a second edition that doesn't just update screenshots and cover new features but rather offers 50% more material. This book could be used with almost any recent version of Photoshop, including the latest - CS. Caponigro is one of the finest artists working with Photoshop and reading this book is like getting a first-hand glimpse into the artist's mind while hearing his voice speak directly to you. It will change the way you think about making images. It's an amazing ride!

Illustrated with amazing full-color works of computer art:
Illustrated with amazing full-color works of computer art, John Paul Caponigro's Adobe Photoshop Master Class is a truly excellent and well organized guide to getting the most out of Adobe Photoshop so as to create vivid, lifelike images and breathtaking works of art. Individual chapters address color accuracy, creating realistic shadows, tessellation, perspective, and much more. An amazing guide filled with instructions for creating outstanding images, Adobe Photoshop Master Class offers a range of astounding techniques eminently suited for the novice, while also offering much of value for the experienced Photoshop user as well.

Extraordinary, but don't make a mistake thinking...:
...don't make a mistake thinking that this is a Photoshop tutorial book -- it is definitely not! This is primarily a digital art book, not a technique book. While the book has some Photoshop information, Photoshop is important only for showing how Paul uses it to fulfil his artistic intent. A such, the book would be better placed under art instead of computer rubric. The book is primarily about visual aesthetics, inspiration, artistic vision, and only then about using Photoshop to translate these into images. In my own pursuit of making digital fine art images, I found that no amount of knowledge of curves, layers, levels, and masks will teach you how to create the visual magic. Yet, by getting a glimpse of how Paul creates his brand of magic, you may discoved your own way of expressing yourself visually. His book certainly gave me many avenues to explore and a promise of many more to be discovered. If you like them as I did, you might be interested in understanding some of the aspects that led to their creation. Then -- read Paul's book. Please note, that you don't have to know Photoshop to appreciate Paul's work and his book. But if you want to apply his techniques, master Photoshop fisrt by reading many other great books on the subject.

A Thinking Book:
Ok, I agree with the others on here, it's not a "techniques" book per say but rather a "thinking" book, giving a person additional ways in which to think about working in PS w/ images. That said there are alot of techniques but just not of the Step 1-2-3 variety but rather technique ideas (maybe this is why some call it a "philosophy" book, but to be honest there isn't a word on new agey concepts anywhere here so don't let that scare you away). This is a "Master" book, one which gives the reader a higher-level view of PS and imaging... you need to have done your work to appreciate this level.