Jacquelin Vanderwood
November 2004
This is a comprehensive DVD/CD that shares Photoshop Tips & Tricks by a master professional of little known methods and techniques that seasoned veterans use continually in their daily work. The presenter, Steve Holmes, walks us through eight exciting and fast moving lessons. Each lesson is divided into sections with a menu for easy use. The screen is set up so that we can pick from any of the eight lessons by simply clicking on numbers 1 through 8. There are also controls for pausing, fast forwarding, and sound. The lessons are exciting and interesting and are easy to follow. Project files accompany the program and can be imported right into Photoshop. The cover contains a simple guide detailing each lesson and what is contained within each one by the number in each lesson. This helps you to zero right to the spot you want to view or repeat. This series was so beneficial that I would like to see more of this type of training DVD/CD's made available. I like that it's compact and goes straight to the subject matter without having to learn the very basics over and over again. I know Photoshop but I want to know more of the tips and tricks of the professionals and that is why I sincerely recommend this long awaited series to every professional and upcoming Photoshop user. Total Training is excellent when it comes to producing material for learning digitally. Below I've given you their outline for each lesson and have placed a screenshot of each one although it is not the only things you will see in each lesson.
Lesson 1 is about Perspective and is 26 min long.
1 Focusing on Perspective
2 Placing & Sizing Images
3 Depth of Field
4 Selective Motion Blur
5 Creating Horizontal Scan Lines
6 Distorting an Image
7 Adding Shadows for a More Realistic Effect
Lesson 2 is about how to Apply Selectively and is 26 min long.
1 Converting a Color Image to Grayscale
2 Colorizing a Selection
3 Painting with the Color Blend Mode
4 Performing a Grayscale Conversion
5 A Better Grayscale Conversion
6 Making a Sepia Tone
7 Making a New Channel with a Selection
8 Feathering the Alpha Channels
9 Combining & Coloring Alpha Channels
Lesson 3 is about Oh So Distressed and is 23 min long.
1 Making a New Layer from a Vector Path
2 Working Inside an Alpha Channel
3 Adding Filter Effects
4 Adjusting Levels & Creating Masks
5 Stroking & Spattering
6 Blending Layers
7 Filling Text with an Image
8 Grouping Layers
Lesson 4 is about Aqua Viva and is 24 min long.
1 Introducing Layer Styles
2 Customizing a Gradient
3 Adding Shadows & Glows
4 Adding Bevel & Emboss
5 Creating a New Style
6 Creating Texture
7 Painting with a Layer Style
8 Achieving an Ice Effect
Lesson 5 is about The Natural Elements and is 24 min long.
1 Layer Blending
2 Creating a Flame-Shaped Paintbrush
3 Painting a Flame Shape
4 Adding Color
5 Using Liquify to Distort the Flames
6 Adding Highlights
7 Reusing & Adjusting the Flame
8 Creating Smoke
Lesson 6 is about All Over Displace and is 16 min long.
1 Displacement Maps
2 Shadow Effects
Lesson 7 is about Organic Creation and is 18 min long.
1 Creating a Marble Effect
2 Setting Up Texture for Lighting Effects
3 The Lighting Effects Dialog Box
4 The Fibers Filter
Lesson 8 is about Full On Metal and is 25 min long.
1 Creating a Chrome Effect
2 Creating a Chrome Effect Continued
3 Finishing the Chrome Effect
4 Drop Shadow Effects
Pricing: $49.99
www.TOTALTRAINING.com
Requirements: DVD or CD player
Copyright (c) 2004, Jacquelin Vanderwood, All Rights Reserved
