Although there are presumably more instructional books written about Photoshop than all other graphic software together, artists and photographers continue to look for the ultimate, comprehensive tome on this omnipresent tool. Total Training’s instructional video and DVD (and a Project Files CD) series on Adobe Photoshop CS could very well be the magical all-inclusive how-to solution we’ve been looking for.
I browsed through the lessons on the DVDs and was thrilled to discover that all the major features of Photoshop CS were covered. I learned the in-depth use of CS blending tools in less than an hour. Sample files provided in the Project Files CD also help students follow the lessons step by step. I also have to mention that host Deke McLelland’s sense of humor makes the lessons fun and easy to get into.
The Good News: The image quality of the lessons are top-notch and a big step forward for Total Training.
The Wish List: Although McLelland’s explanations and narration over the lessons are sometimes a little bit too long, they still help users understand the lessons well. But when you need to repeat a lesson, his narration can be on the mind-numbing side. The best solution for Total Training is to provide a short version of the lessons for the user’s reviews.
The Bottom Line: The $299 you’ll spend on the DVDs are certainly worth the Photoshop mastery you’ll get from the program.
Web Address: www.totaltraining.com
Animation Magazine’s Seal of Excellence Winner
The Final Score: *****
