Digital Collage and Painting: Using Photoshop and Painter to Create Fine Art (Inglés) Tapa blanda – 25 nov 2010

I have been a photographer for 40 years, and a Photoshop user since the original version. I have used Photoshop and some plug ins to enhance and process my photographic images almost exclusively, rarely venturing into anything "artistic." Recently, I began playing around with some different looks, including the "painterly" look and shortly realized how clueless I was about how to use Photoshop's various filters to achieve this look. I recently received my copy of this book and skipped ahead to the chapters on painting and within an hour, learned enough to justify the modest cost of this book.

I agree with some of the negative reviewers that the layout of the book is not the best (especially for a book that is about graphics). The print and illustrations are just too small. It is almost impossible to read the screenshots of actual photoshop activities. But being an author myself, I know ratings are important. I would not want to downgrade this book because of its layout, which likely was not within much control of Ms. Bloom. I am much more interested in the content. And that delivers what is promised - and more - at least for a novice in this area. I recommend it for anyone in my position of wanting to learn more about the artistic capabilities of Photoshop. I am not familiar with Painter, but would think the same would apply there.

I don't know if the first 169 pages are worthwhile or not. I am an "under the hood" type of guy, and will probably eventually read them. It does seem a bit like a textbook (and if it is, it is a bargain, as college textbooks these days often approach $200). But if you don't want to read it, it is really easy to skip ahead, and I think the hands-on chapters are easily worth the price.

I have both the first and second edition of this book and I would recommend this book if you are interested in the following:

1. You want to learn how to use your digital photographs and turn them into works that look more like paintings.
2. You want to learn how to take parts from your photos and combine them together into one digital image that looks more like a painting or collage than a photo.
3. You are interested in seeing a nice variety of images created by other contemporary digital artists.
4. You want a book that covers both Photoshop and Painter.
5. You are interested in learning more about the filters in Photoshop.

I would NOT recommend it for anyone who is primarily interested in learning how to paint digitally from scratch since almost every project in this book starts from a digital photograph with the exception of some of the artists in the "Inspiration" chapter.

Basically it gives directions on how to use a variety of different filters, brushes, etc., to convert and paint over a photograph to give it a more painterly appearance. Many of the finished examples are very beautiful--but if you are hoping to learn how to paint a painting from scratch--this book will not show you how.

The chapter on painting in Photoshop is actually titled "Painting in Photoshop with Your Photos." The chapter on Painting in Painter shows you how to use a variety of clone brushes to take a photo and turn it into a painting.

Bottomline: If you want to learn how to change photographs into paintings--get this book! I will give it 5 stars because it does that well.

(P.S. If you already have the first edition I don't think it is necessary to get this one since it is primary only the "Inspiration" chapter that changes very much.)

The book arrived on time and as described in the notice. It is virtually a new book and I put it to work immediately creating digital art.

I am both impressed and overwhelmed by the amount of pertinent and useful information in this book. Every topic, chapter, and section is important--no filler, no repetition, nothing necessary left out, nothing unnecessary thrown in.

How my opinion dovetails with yours depends on the commonality of our experience and our intended purposes for getting this book. I am, primarily, a photographer both for business and pleasure. I am very competent in the use of Photoshop, and just got Painter as a Christmas gift (two weeks ago). I wish to start turning some photos into illustrations (line drawings, soft images, collages) but for my own use and pleasure, not for commercial purposes or public display. After seeing the book, I might (later) be seriously tempted to go beyond that, but there are so many options, so many styles, so many directions I would want to take that I'm overwhelmed by the choices.

However, while the book is not intended for beginners, a beginner who is familiar with at least one of the programs isn't going to find it difficult to wade right in and tackle a project. It's just a question of finding a simple one that applies to the type of photography you have in your collection.

I have to add that having a certain amount of artistic eye, skill, and background would be a big help because these projects cannot be approached in a purely mechanical way, regardless of how well you use Photoshop, Painter, or the additional programs, plug-ins, filter and action packs mentioned. The book merely provides the techniques, methodology, and inspiration.

Every step is amazingly well explained and illustrated. (Although it isn't done in the usual tutorial style so common for software users: numbered steps, captioned screen shots, the "recipe" laid out in sequence.) There are some more structured sections but, by and large, this is a purely narrative style in long blocks of paragraphs, as if you were learning with the teacher seated next to you and explaining as you go. This requires reading the entire section before you start, wrapping your head around the general theory, adding post-it tabs and highlighting the parts you need to pay attention to, and starting your project. I think that, for this type of photographic project, it's actually the ideal teaching method to use because it explains what you absolutely need to know, then lets you implement the idea your way.

I see absolutely no negatives in this book. It is clearly and intelligently written and well edited and organized. The content is fascinating, from the detailed and informative artist interviews to the full spectrum of styles and options offered to create art and collage based on photographs. I would have enjoyed reading it and learning from it just for the pleasure of it.