Up To Speed: Photoshop CS3

By Ben Willmore
Peachpit Press, www.peachpit.com
May 2007, $29.99, 168 pages

This must-have guide goes right to the heart of Photoshop CS3--what has changed, what is new and how you can get the most out of the features as quickly as possible. Rather than sift through hundreds of pages detailing every last Photoshop feature and function (both old and new), you can go directly to the new features that interest you the most and get the explanations you desire in the classic Ben Willmore style--intuitive, crystal clear, and in-depth. By focusing on a single topic--the new features in CS3--the award-winning author provides precisely what experienced Photoshop users have been clamoring for, in exactly the depth they demand. After reading this book--even if you've been using CS3 for a while--don't be surprised to hear yourself say, "I didn't know CS3 did that!" In addition to learning the new features in no time, a welcome side effect of learning from Ben is that you can expect to become a better, faster and more efficient Photoshop user.

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Digital Photography for Children's and Family Portraiture, 2^nd Edition

By Kathleen Hawkins
Amherst Media, www.amherstmedia.com
October 2007, $34.95, 127 pages

Successful portrait photography is about more than the latest equipment. It is about analyzing your competition, establishing your market and offering a unique, in-demand product. With digital technology you are better equipped than ever to accomplish this goal, creating portraits that are perfectly geared toward your intended market while maintaining exacting creative control. Digital photography also gives you the ability to market your work more effectively, through blogging, websites and much more. In this book, Kathleen Hawkins takes you through the entire digital process, showing you how to become more efficient, more creative, and more profitable. Additionally, eight leading photographers share their own insights into their most successful techniques for creating and marketing digital portraits. Topics covered include evaluating your equipment needs, streamlining your workflow, improving your sales and service techniques to build repeat business and maximize sales, and planning an organized and efficient shoot. You will also learn artistic, sales and marketing techniques from top children's and family portrait photographers.

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The Painter X Wow! Book

By Cher Threinen-Pendarvis
Peachpit Press www.peachpit.com
May 2007, $59.99, 415 pages plus CD-ROM

This book continues to delight Painter fans with its many exciting, inspiring examples and techniques for creating fine art, photography, graphic design, multimedia and film. In this new edition, bestselling author and renowned artist Cher Threinen-Pendarvis takes her readers step-by-step through this revolutionary program, revealing the best practices of numerous digital artists. With her clear, instructive approach, Cher quickly gets beginners up to speed and provides more advanced users with additional insight on the latest creative and productive techniques. New to this edition is coverage of Painter's latest tools including the new RealBristle Painting System, Universal Mixer palette, Match Palette effect, Workspace Manager, and enhanced Photo-Painting System and new composition tools.