[.ca] Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy (ISBN 0735712468)

From Amazon.com:
If you've been lucky enough to catch Bert Monroy's demonstrations on the TechTV cable show The Screen Savers, you know how good he is at revealing the magic within Photoshop. Monroy is a power user in the truest sense; Adobe even includes two of his brush styles (grass and maple leaf) in Photoshop 7. In this latest book, as on TV, he walks you through the steps he took to achieve such dazzling effects as snow and rain falling, sun glinting on the edge of a mirror, and reflections in a puddle, all using his own photorealistic digital paintings. Along the way, he touches on side issues like the effects of perspective on objects or how light sources create shadows in the "real" world. As Monroy explains it, while creating one painting he finds methods to solve problems that arise in others. In the same way, he hopes that readers will learn by following along with his specific situations, for example, type that moves along the folds in an awning ruffle or an extremely subtle reflection of a matchstick in a marble. Since there are neither online project files nor a companion CD-ROM, readers are encouraged to work things out for themselves using their own artwork. Monroy provides extensive advice on working with brushes; creating shadows, reflections, and surfaces (wood, metal, bark, stucco, and more); and creating fog, fire, and a nice flag waving in the breeze to finish it all off (where the miracle of clipping groups becomes clear). Readers learn the power behind the many options buried in Photoshop's palettes and menus. If you own his previous book, Photorealistic Techniques with Photoshop & Illustrator, you won't find much overlap here. Some of the images are the same, but for the most part they're used to show new techniques. You'll marvel at Monroy's digital masterpieces, many of which are collected in a bonus gallery section. Monroy's love of teaching and of making art is evident throughout, and it will light the fire of motivation and inspiration in readers of all levels. --Angelynn Grant

Very Good:
This book will get your imagination going. Some great tips. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that there could have been more content.

Tim Robertson MyMac.com Book Review:
Photoshop Studio is like a taking a ride with a Photoshop master for a few hours at a time, and learning the tricks of the trade. Bert Monroy does some really amazing things in Photoshop (and Illustrator), and guides you step by step on how he did it. From creating window blinds to creating handles on a photo-realistic filling cabinet, this book is filled with great pictures and easy to read language many Photoshop users will find useful. (I should mention, though, that while you can create the great looking scenes Bert did in Photoshop, why would you want to? I mean, with 3D software so low in price today, you can get even more realistic graphics with a program such as Strata than you can with Photoshop. In MUCH less time. But Bert Monroy is an artist, and Photoshop is his tool, so this is more a practical thought on my end, and has no bearing on the quality of this book or the techniques applied therein.) The book itself is well written, though I particularly enjoyed the beginning of the book in which the reader gets a glimpse of Bert÷s studio. I would die for a studio like that, let me tell you! Photoshop Studio is as much a picture book, as it is a written one. On almost every page is a picture of what he is writing about, how to do it, and all in clear color. (And the screen snapshots all show Bert is using Mac OS X!) Photoshop Studio is a class act. Well put together, well-written, and easy to follow. I enjoyed the time I spent with this book, and if you are into Photoshop, you will too. MacMice Rating: 5 out of 5...

The book is beautiful, very informative.:
I found this book very useful, very well illustrated, as Bert Monroy describes his technics. He teaches methods that opened my mind to the power that Photoshop CS has. While he covers many aspects of the program he dos not indulge in the usual rehash of every photoshop feature, focusing on specific projects. His reputation for a graphics artist and teacher are well deserved. Wonderful examples, just enough detail to convey the point without beating you over the head. Included color photos are well laid out, his teaching method couldn't be better. The tone will particular instruct the novice or intermeadiate user, but everyone will find something of use here. If you are looking for blow by blow 'how to' for every feature, look at Photoshop CS Sudio Techniques, or the Adobe Class Room in a Book. I only wish this book had more samples, examples. If you can't buy it, hope your local libray has or will. Do this for its artistic voice.

Paint in Photoshop!:
Bert is a great artist and teacher. I took a class from him, and learned so much, but couldn't absorb it all at once. This book allows you to learn his techniques at your own pace, and will give you the confidence to start creating images from scratch in Photoshop, or add painting techniques to your image manipulation. Highly recommended for intermediate to advanced Photoshop users and all artists.

Amazing Work from an amazing artist:
Bert Monroy is probably one of the most talented Photoshop users there is. If you've ever seen him on TechTV, you've seen how effortlessly he uses PS. This book is full of amazing artwork Bert has done with Photoshop, along with a lot of tips and techniques from the master himself. You'll have a hard time believe that this book isn't just a collection of photos. Bert style is so photo-realistic it's jaw-dropping. Definitely a must-have book for any PS enthusiast. Even if you don't plan to use PS for Photoreal artwork, there are techniques here that are applicable to other uses for PS but the book itself is worth the price just for the awe factor of Monroy's work.