Amazon.com (ISBN 0735712379, Paperback)

Scott Kelby is both funny and generous. His wry sense of humor doesn't get in the way of the hundreds of nifty techniques in this new collection of Down & Dirty Tricks. In fact, when you first flip quickly through the book, gobbling up all the creative ideas and timesaving tips, his sly jokes only add to the I've-just-hit-the-lottery feeling.

Whatever you're looking for--type that looks distressed, made of gel, or carved in stone; shadows in perspective or in motion; text that wraps around a globe; a glinting starburst on the edge of an object; a logo artificially placed at the bottom of a pool; or a starry sky created in an instant--just about every trick is here. And most are done in 10 steps or less. Also, each page has a Quick Tip sidebar (there're over 200 of them) that are worth the price of the book alone, with everything from getting better results from your eyedropper tool (click on Options and change the Point Sample to "3 by 3 average") to the quickest way to change units of measurement (the secret is in the Info palette).

The book has been updated since the previous edition with mostly new illustrations, many new and better ways to perform the same tricks, and a few completely new ones. Project files and images can be downloaded from the book's companion Web site at downanddirtytricks.com. Although aimed at experienced Photoshop users, the text is detailed enough for readers of all levels. For example, steps like "make a copy of that layer by dragging it to the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers palette" or "press the letter m to switch to the Rectangular Marquee tool" are repeated in full whenever a trick calls for them. This not only helps beginners, it allows all readers to hop around the book and be able to carry out any trick in any order. Yet another reason this book could've been titled Speedy Down & Dirty Tricks. --Angelynn Grant

Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0735713537, Paperback)

Bestselling author Scott Kelby (Editor of Photoshop User magazine) is back with an amazing new collection of Photoshop Down and Dirty Tricks, including how to create the same exact effects you see every day in magazines, on TV, at the movies, and on the Web. It's more of those eye-popping, jaw-dropping special effects that made Scott's previous version an award-winning worldwide smash hit!

But this isn't just an update to his previous book--these are 100% ALL NEW EFFECTS from cover-to-cover to reflect the latest trends in Photoshop special effects and design. These are nothing but today's real world techniques--the same ones you see used by leading Photoshop photographers, designers, and special effect masters, and its all here in the only book of its kind.

You'll learn the most closely guarded inside secrets for creating the latest cutting-edge effects, including techniques that have never been revealed before anywhere! And the book is written so clearly, and is so easy to follow, that you'll be able to create every one of these amazing effects yourself. You'll learn: Tricks professional photographers use to show off their work The most popular effects used by the big Hollywood studios The latest cutting-edge photographic special effects How to fake all kinds of studio shots (you'll be amazed how its done!) The type effects that are most in demand by clients How to get stunning 3D effects without using a 3D program How to turn simple snapshots into museum quality gallery prints The most asked for new Web effects Plus loads of advanced effects that look hard, but are easy, once you know the secrets

But Down and Dirty tricks is more than just a just an effects book--it's a tips book too, because on every page Scott includes a cool tip, a quick trick, or a timesaving shortcut, making this an invaluable productivity tool too! Plus the whole book is packed with design techniques, creative ideas and stunning layouts that will help you unleash your own creativity. It's all here-- "Just the funk and not the junk" and if you're into Photoshop, you're absolutely gonna love it!

Amazon.com (ISBN 073571147X, Paperback)

"Valuable tips infest this book like locusts from some biblical plague! A must for any Photoshop hack."

I used to think I was a fairly good Photoshop user, but after reading this book, I've come to the conclusion that I'm a moron. This Scott Kelby guy is a genius. He knows Photoshop like a vampire knows a neck, and he attacks his subject with the same gusto. The information, nay, wisdom gushes out of this book like water through a fire hydrant. It's just good!

The best part about all this is that Kelby doesn't ever put on airs. He never says, "Oh, I am the Photoshop Lord, so let me tell you the sordid history of Photoshop and pontificate at length about my many graphics arts achievements" or any of that other malarkey that a lot of those so-called expert books regurgitate. Kelby is the humble master, offering the most amazing tricks and suggestions you would never think up yourself, and doing so in a tight, well-written manner. I mean, this book reads so well that it actually made me want to subscribe to the Photoshop User magazine he edits just to read more of his stuff.

This is not a beginner's book. Don't pick it up if you're just learning Photoshop or are utterly unfamiliar with the terms. There is no handholding. There are no tedious explanations or goofy icons. It's just knowledge and wisdom written and illustrated in an appropriate and easy-to-follow manner. Even a Photoshop moron such as myself could follow the instructions and do amazing things.

The cover price may pinch you, but the information is worth it--even without the four-color illustrations on practically every page. (And the illustrations are necessary and important, not like the eye candy or silly graphics of many other four-color books.) This book reminds me of the heyday of computer book publishing way back in the late '80s: it's good, well-presented information, and it makes you a better computer user after reading it. I can't recommend it enough. --Dan Gookin