Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature Reviews

• Basic, but not original

  
  By A2VWE5SGNDS8HW on 2008-03-22
  The book clearly explaines the concept and uses of layers. (Not that the subject requires a whole book). It is well illustrated and the instructions are detailed and easy to understand.
  
  The problem I found is that, like most Kelby brand books, (of which there are so many and they come out so frequently you wonder if these people ever sleep) it is a rehash of material covered elsewhere. Even the illustrations and images begin to look familiar. There is nothing new here, unless you just now bought Photoshop and this is your first book (in which case, you got a good one).
  
  Another issue is that, since its aimed at everyone, it isn't really aimed at anyone in particular. So, if you take pictures of the grandkids, there are a few pages here for you. If you design menus, there are a few pages here for you, if you're a wedding photographer or scrapbook maker or you work in advertising, there are a few pages here for you, too. But if you're any of those things, you will also find that a considerable amount of the book is completely irrelevant to you. (Interesting, but irrelevant).
  
  
  
  

• If you use Photoshop, you should read this book.

  
  By A3FVS2S6JGCUZ1 on 2008-02-24
  Matt does a fantastic job of demystifying layers in this well organized, well thought out book. From his explanation of what a layer is, all the way through the most complex layer techniques, Matt keeps everything simple and straightforward. I have seen him instruct in person and this book follows in the same style as his classes. Each chapter builds upon the last and moves you from the simple to the challenging while building your knowledge of each layer tool or technique.
  
  So here is what I really like, the chapters or lessons are chock full of follow along exercises that demonstrate the concepts being explained (you can download all of the images used to follow along). Next is the fact that Matt doesn't delve to deeply into the math behind the tools. He just shows you that this does this and that does that. As I always say, "I don't need to know how the engine works, just how to drive the car."
  
  What I don't like, it's just too short. This isn't a bad thing with the book, it's just that I enjoyed the lessons so much that I wish there were more of them. The great thing about layers is that people are always discovering new ways to use them. I guess that leaves room for a sequel.
  
  

• Laying It On

  
  By A1F6PIIZ0ZHHD6 on 2008-06-03
  No photographer can unleash the full power of Photoshop to make an image look like the photographer's vision without understanding the power of layers. (At the very least layers allow the Photoshop user to make selective adjustments to an image, without actually changing the underlying data.) Yet many Photoshop books treat layers in bits and pieces rather than as an integrated whole so that the photographer has a hard time grasping the overall concept. That's where a book aimed solely at layers comes in.
  
  Matt Kloskowski's book deals with all the major applications of layers. The subjects include the nature of layers, blending layers, adjustment layers, layer masks, type and shape layers, enhancing and adjusting photos with layers, layer styles and smart layers. It's all here, but in a short simple quick form. (I'm sure there are more esoteric things to learn about layers; at least one pair of authors has a book on layers that is over 750 pages long!) Most photographers will find that this book has all they need to know about the subject.
  
  The author's text takes the form of tutorials. One can either download files for these tutorials or work with one's own pictures. The tutorials are short, well illustrated and have plenty of white space. If you make a mistake at an early step you won't have to backtrack through twenty or thirty steps to find out where you went wrong. Even if you work out each tutorial, this book will not take more than ten or twenty hours to complete, and it will teach you almost everything you need to know about the subject. Along the way, Kloskowski teaches the reader about other Photoshop tools, as when he integrates a discussion of gradients into a lesson on blend modes, or deals with selections in a tutorial on layer masks.
  
  The author has an easy-going, breezy, humorous style, but those put off by the style of his mentor, Scott Kelby, probably will not be offended here.
  
  Normally, as I go through a book, I make notes in the margin when I discover an error. I'm happy to report that I made no notes in the margin of this book.
  
  For experienced Photoshop users this book will contain nothing new. Perhaps they'll have to look at the 750 page tomes. However, for the photographer who doesn't have a firm grip on the use of layers in Photoshop, this book will help him or her to master the subject.
  
  
  

• A great book for advanced Photoshop idiots like me!

  
  By A1XYZ6974Y1RUK on 2008-03-05
  I'm one of those Photoshop users who knows too much to want to read a book mainly for beginners, not because of ego considerations but because I would be bored and skip around. But there are also huge gaps in my haphazard Photoshop education. This book gives absolute beginners what they need without slowing down the more experienced user. It's long enough to cover what it aims out to cover without being so long that you look at it and say, someday I'm going to go through that book but not today.
  
  I was attracted to this book because of who wrote it (I watch Matt's Killer Photoshop and Lightroom tips all the time), the topic, which of course is central to knowing Photoshop, and because of the great cover. I'm a small press publisher and believe me, covers matter. Many good books languish because they don't appeal initially to the eye. And a Photoshop book should have a good design. It's also well-edited, a welcome plus in today's publishing world.
  
  Anyway, what's between the covers is just as delightful. I think the word I would use to best describe this book is methodical but not in a boring way. It's comprehensive, but the way it's laid out never overwhelms you. I know that when I go through this book a couple of times, I'm going to be flipping my way through layers like a maniac but a maniac who knows what she's doing and knows what layers can do for her.
  
  And, I LOVE the last page of each chapter, the "How do I...." question and answers. It gives me one place to go to immediately find all those absolutely essential shortcuts and critical pieces of knowledge without which one wouldn't really be able to say they had a good basic understanding of layers.
  
  Matt even has two companion videos on the book's web site and you can download all the images used in the tutorials there as well.
  
  I may not be an expert in Photoshop (yet) but I do consider myself an expert on Photoshop books and this one is well worth the very reasonable price. Have fun playing with it; I am!
  
  

• I Love this book!

  
  By A3532REIHI8X5L on 2008-02-21
  Do I get a prize for being the first review? I've been waiting for this one for months and it was totally worth it - Matt has delivered again. After reading the first chapter it was like a light instantly turned on. I got thru the second chapter and it's worth the price of the book alone. I finally had to tell everyone that I now know how to use Layers! I love this book! Thanks Matt!
  
  
• Awesome!
  By A8VCQTV5SYGMB on 2008-02-21
  Kloskowski has done it again! His new photoshop book makes a great edition to anyone's library, from the beginner to the expert level user. The best part of the book is its organization - each chapter concludes with a "How Do I . . ." section that summarizes all the important concepts from that chapter. I'm going to keep this book at an arms distance from my computer for easy reference.
  
  
• Complete Guide---Not---
  By ARRNDNUG8XKW7 on 2008-02-28
  After spending aprox 10 hours trying to follow along step by step and running into what I would consider errors or lack of import information, I think the author should have given this book to a few of his students who arent yet "Gurus" just to see if it was possible to get through even chapter 1 without having to make assumptions and/or critical adjustments that are not covered. Sort of like building an engine using the maintenance manual when you are instructed to bolt the cases together and then finding out later that the crankshaft was supposed to go in there first. Oh, you didnt know that? Well no, thats why I spent the money and made the effort to learn.......Please tell me what the steps are and in order please.
  I am using CS2 and this book was clearly written for CS3 so there are some minor differences and that is to be expected, however that probably should be noted in the marketing of this book and its not.
  Pg.16 opacity and fill need to be adjusted to acheive the result pictured in the book....not mentioned here.
  Pg.19 fill the layer? Not the way the book tells you to do it. At least for CS2 its not.
  Pg.20 quick selection tool to select background...selects too much which doesnt sound like a big deal but it is if you are a student trying to follow along and what you get isnt whats displayed in the book.
  Pg.21 drag "couple photo" into your menu cover image and its "the perfect size" No its not, its too big so we have to stop all forward progress and try to figure out how to resize (after trying several times) the supplied images. Shouldnt be necessary.
  These items and more should have been tested out long before publication by a few students; not by "The Photoshop Gurus".
  
  
• Good for Beginners
  By A32HMV7TGGTKEQ on 2008-03-15
  This is a good book for someone just starting to learn Photoshop or someone moving from Photoshop Elements to the full Photoshop program who wants to understand layer masks. Unfortunately, there's nothing too advanced in here. If you've already worked thru a book like Scott Kelby's 7-Point System you won't gain much new knowledge from this book. Actually, unless you want to just focus on layers, I'd recommend that you skip this book and get the 7-Point System which covers almost all the topics in Layers in more depth plus a whole lot more.
  
  
• This book is correcting my poor layers behavior!
  By A3BO2UHG3Y61BD on 2008-02-26
  I have to tell you that this book is awesome. I have been Photoshop User since 1998 and in that time I have not taken advantage of layers properly. I received my book from Amazon It was preorder and it evan arrived before it was suppose to. I spent the day (at work, Opps. Just opened it to glance and I couldn't put it down) getting more than two thirds of the way through it doing every step and concept with the provided photos and then again with my own personal ones. The tips/shortcuts/walk throughs are just great. Matt K has done an excellent job!
  
  
• A must book for Photoshop users!
  By A1G447AY98C6IQ on 2008-03-12
  I am an experienced Adobe Photoshop user who for years grappled with how to really understand and master Layers. Matt Kloskowski's book is the right book for anyone trying to understand this very powerful feature. He takes the time to explain, and with the use of photos from the Kelby Training Website, he gives the reader the opportunity to practice the concept. His tips are also very beneficial to learning alternate ways to accomplish a task. I am very impressed with his writing style and his approach to teaching the subject. Well done!
  
  
• Awesome book!
  By A2Q3VV5IOY3VEF on 2008-02-26
  What an awesome book. I got mine in the mail yesterday. I only got through the first chapter last night (and I peeked ahead a little bit) ... I really like what I see. Matt explains how layers function in an easy to understand manner and demonstrates how all of the layers of your file interact with one another to create dramatic effects. Of course he does it all with his trademark Matt Kloskowski humor which is what truly makes the book a joy to read!
  
  I definitely recommend this book ... A great book for a photoshopper of any level wanting to wrap their brain around layers!
  
  
• If you have Photoshop, you NEED this book.
  By A3DGDM2J8Z8DQF on 2008-02-29
  If you are new to Photoshop or a seasoned pro, this book is a must have. I've learned new tricks and revisited many that I have not used in awhile. The "How Do I" pages at the end of the chapters, the downloadable images to follow along with and lastly, the short introduction make this book an easy read. My copy will dog-eared very soon.
  Great job Matt.
  
  
• Get this book!
  By A30URDE63P31BK on 2008-03-06
  I'm using Photoshop Elements 6.0 which is the poor woman's version of the program and I've learned so much from this book - while there may be instances where you cannot follow the directions because of lack of features, there are ways around the limitations in a lot of instances. Matt does a great job of teaching you the ropes and this is probably the best book on the subject in my ever expanding Photoshop library.
  
  
• Very common stuff..............
  By A3HVJUTADHDDZE on 2008-03-21
  The book is good, but not essential...
  I've you've already read some Kelby's book, all the topics seen there were covered elsewere... nothing is really new.
  The examples showed are useful, but very basic.
  I've had expected a book more about using layer, layer groups, advanced blending...the way to organise work with layer.... etc..
  Then, it's re-babbling of already known stuff.
  Finaly, even if the printing is good, the paper has a very cheap quality, to my mind.
  It's hard to believe this book is an amazon's #1 seller in 3 categories....
  
  
• Just What I Needed!
  By A3JKF3S6RX77HD on 2008-03-10
  I got my book in the mail Thursday and I can't put it down. This was exactly what I was looking for to help me improve my skills in PS CS2. I have learned a lot already. Great information, easy to follow along instructions. The book is entirely in color. One of my favorite things about the book is the pictures of the layers palette in each lesson. I am a visual person. I like to see step by step how things are suppose to turn out.
  
  Love the layout (well organized), the size of the book, the great instructions and the "How Do I" at the end of each chapter. This book is going into my collection. Matt is a great teacher and I hope he keeps up the good work.
  
  
  
  
• Should I buy this book?
  By A2EYEBJY0FT9W7 on 2008-03-20
  It is certainly true that if you don't know layers, you don't know Photoshop - nobody denies this. The question is: "Should I buy this book?" The answer is "Yes!"
  
  Matt Kloskowski is one of those rare writers with an incredible knowledge of Photoshop who writes in an entertaining, concise manner even a novice can follow. Still, there is material here for intermediate and advanced Photoshop users as well. A link is provided for downloading the same photos used in the text, making it a snap to follow along.
  
  One cannot teach layers withing teaching the myriad of tools, techniques and shortcuts associated with layers. You will learn layer masks, clipping masks, painting with light, blend modes, retouching, type and shape layers, smart layers and objects, layer styles...the list goes on and on.
  
  Be sure to check out Matt's podcasts "Photoshop Killer Tips," "PhotoshopUser TV," and "Lightroom Killer Tips."
  
  
• Your 1st Photoshop Book should be this one.....Nuff Said..
  By A33YMTWRDJQ29I on 2008-03-29
  If you are completely new to Photoshop... or are even somewhat experienced in the very basics of this software, then you need to work through this book. Here's the deal....many of these other books you are likely looking at ...Kelby's for instance...almost ALWAYS assume you understand the basics of layers when he is going through his examples (and therefore spends little to no time on explaining exactly why you might need an adjustment layer over a layer mask as opposed to just creating a new layer...or maybe merging previous layers so you can go on to some other adjustment). This is why you need Matt's book...it is worth it's weight in gold. Go through it several times..working through his tutorials/projects and other photoshop books will make SO much more sense!
  
  
• Only good for beginners
  By A26FGEZFKHPJH8 on 2008-06-23
  Nice book for beginners only. Matt just can't be Scott Kelby. Why copycat him? He tryes hard making the same kind of jokes... The book has some mistakes. I.E. chapter 6 boosting specific colors... we're working in the water and he ended up talking about an ivy! Some chapters he doesn't mention some steps which can get confuse beginners. The downloadable "company pictures" are a joke, too low resolution and one of them is already corrected!
  
  
  
• Not just for beginners!
  By ADVV4N7EWTR46 on 2008-02-28
  Just finishing up your new "Layers" book. Started reading the intro and 1st Chapter and thought, boy I made a mistake, this was for beginners. Then a few pages still in the 1st Chapter I was thinking, "why didn't this book come out last year. I could have used several of the ideas in December when I was putting the Miss Rodeo USA Pageant Program together!"
  
  Well, done!
  
  As an added bonus, I attended Dave Cross's new Maximum Tour yesterday and he added to some of the things your book showed. What a win, win!
  
  Love the tips, keep them coming!
  Dr David Jones
  Muskogee, OK
  
  
• Must-have book on Photoshop Layers!
  By A36YCNFXUU66UF on 2008-03-03
  This book on Photoshop Layers puts many of the layer tidbits you had in your head into concise tutorials. Additionally, the book demystifies some other Layer techniques and features. There were plenty of "A-Ha" moments. This book is a quick read and one you will certainly have close at hand. Great Job!
  
  
• Photoshop Simplified!!!
  By A2SCO84YV3GH3Q on 2008-03-03
  With so many books out there on Photoshop claiming to teach the secrets it's difficult to know what to buy; this new book by Matt Kloskowski though is a definite MUST HAVE for anyone just starting out in the world of Photoshop and anyone who has been using it for a while.
  
  Matt manages to simplify the whole concept of Layers (the bread and butter of Photoshop) in a quick easy to understand way that I challenge anyone not to grasp it after the first chapter. Following on from that in the following 8 chapters, Matt goes on to cover such topics as blending layers, adjustment layers, layer masks and then some chapters covering retouching, layer styles and smart objects ... again, in an easy to follow teaching style that just works..period!
  
  Some readers out there, like me may have been using photoshop for a number of years now and may consider a book teaching Layers to be beneath them, but as in all of Matt's books, there are always a few gems hidden in there that make buying the book worth it just for them.
  
  Littered with some stunning photos and techniques this is a book that doesn't make false claims, it delivers and and all for a great price too ... nuff said :o)
  
  ps> I'm not on commision, I just believe in putting my money to good use :o)
  
  
• Learn Layers Learn PhotoShop
  By A1JTPCXC32RZYM on 2008-04-09
  Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature
  
  I did 5 classes in PhotoShop starting in 2005 and I did not understand it. I am now in a class at City College SF. This class taught me more about it. Until I sat down with this book by Kloskowski Matt I was destined to Beginner status. The key here is not just reading it - you download the photos he uses chapter by chapter and follow his editing step by step. Its all about one Menu one of many capabilities of this extremely complex program. Yet without knowing Layers you cannot call yourself a Digital Darkroom Photographer. I read the same words before this that layers are like layers of acetate over an image. The checkerboard you see in the thumbnail of the Layers panel so confused me - why a checkerboard? Then I got it that its really a piece of glass transparent. Reading and working these chapters - I did 3 - the lights keep going on.
  The proof is not just in following his editing - I am now taking a photo of mine and working with new layers new adjustment layers. Its just the beginning
  I think its important to recognize that this is an extremely complex program. I had the background bottom layer of course then made Layer 1 to do something and I couldnt do it. Nothing happened. I learned what that means - that something is left hanging and Photoshop does not move to a new step until its free and clear to do that. So I had something selected in that layer and I had to deselect it to move to a new step
  Lots of PhotoShop experts and yet they dont teach you to become another PhotoShop expert. Matt Kloskowski is a teacher who succeeds.
  Im only on chapter 3 - when I finish I will be one of those Photoshop experts
  
  
• The BRILLIANT Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature
  By A3VODNNVQ1PVL3 on 2008-04-12
  I've been using Photoshop for over a decade... okay, two decades. But I was never a power user and did not understand all the features offered in layers. Type layers I understood. I could do all the cool effects on type. But adjustment layers and their masking features were beyond me. No longer. Matt Kloskowski has a way of making it all seem easy--and it makes sense! Suddenly I am turning into a power user! My photos look better than ever before! If you use Photoshop for work or home, you need this book!
  
  
• Excellent introduction to Photoshop layers
  By A680RUE1FDO8B on 2008-05-22
  There is little that is actually new in this book. Rather what Kloskowski has done is to create a little self-tutoring course in using Photoshop layers - and he has done a good job of it.
  
  Photoshop layers is a confusing subject because there are so many different types of layers and so few really good basic introductions to them.
  
  Kloskowski, in an act of brilliance, doesn't cover every kind of layer or layer technique. He concentrates on the basics - and that really makes Photoshop layers a lot easier to grasp and learn.
  
  In nine chapters, Kloskowski covers Layer Basics, Blending Layers, Adjustment Layers, Layer Masks, Type And Shape Layers, Enhancing Photos With Layers, Retouching With Layers, Layer Styles and Smart Layers. There are lots of examples - though sometimes the accompanying descriptions are rather abbreviated - and you can download the required graphics from the companion website.
  
  Overall, this is one of the better books to emerge lately from the Scott Kelby factory. Worth the money it costs and, more importantly, the time it takes to learn what it has to teach.
  
  Jerry
  
  
• Layers is perfect for the beginner and experienced alike
  By A2ZPL4STAWZ31W on 2008-06-02
  As a web designer and photographer, I've always been a big fan of the Layers Magazine and Photoshop User Magazine group. Their training philosophy is primarily about down and dirty tricks that get the job done and this book is a fine example of that approach. I've been using Photoshop since version 4.0, the last PS book I've owned was for version 6.0.
  
  This book is definitely worth the investment. If you are not familiar with blend modes, how to use masks, adjustment layers, or the power of smart objects, you need to pick up this book. As the title says, layers really are Photoshops' most powerful feature.
  
  Matt Kloskowski's book is set up in way that can be read from cover to cover or it can be read like a reference book; in bits and pieces and in any order the reader chooses. It's a very easy-going format with a smart, well done layout that makes you feel like you're using Photoshop while you read it. Kloskowski's writing style is casual and to the point, making this book easy to follow for the beginner while it is quick and painless for the novice.
  
  As a web designer, I tended to prefer getting as much done on pen and paper to save time as I used to find myself playing around too much in Photoshop, wasting precious time. But now with Kloskowski's Layers, I can jump into a design with Photoshop first thing and have a lot more fun doing it!
  
  
• Better than my first Photoshop class
  By A2DSS2K7XOKYS3 on 2008-02-28
  I have taken a class on Photoshop already, and am amazed by the possibilities and just dying to know how to use all the features. I can already do a lot-since it's a great program-but I know there are better ways of doing things, and I know if I learn to use layers better that I could do so much more, but it just wasn't clicking in my head how they work or which mode to choose or whatever, or how to work with masks-this book is really changing that quickly, I am 90% through my copy and I just LOVE it.
  
  This book clearly and concisely illustrates how the layer thing works while making it fun to follow along. I tried retouching images before and that's great, but I never thought to do the corrections on a separate layer, if I messed up or overdid it before I had to go back to the original and start over. Retouching is my favorite chapter. And I can't wait to try the painting with light technique on my own photos. Great book. I hope he writes another one soon on a different feature.
  
  
• Matt hits the nail on the head and makes learning Layers simple and fun.
  By A14ZOKEGI5613 on 2008-02-28
  I have only recently jumped on the Photoshop CS3 bandwagon and have been thoroughly impressed with Matt Kloskowski as a commentator, teacher and now author of his most recent book; Layers. Matt writes with an easy going, very understandable style that can make any amateur produce cool, quality, artsy pictures. The book encompasses both easy lessons for the beginner and progresses towards more advanced techniques for even polished Photoshop users. I have recommended this book to many friends looking to improve their Photoshop skills. [...]
  
  
• An Essential Book for your Photoshop Library!
  By A3VHBQUMLNDW5P on 2008-03-11
  Matt always provides wonderful tips and how-to's on the weekly on-line Photoshop User TV program (http://www.photoshopusertv.com/). His Lightroom Killer Tips website also is first rate. Now his new book Layers sits by my computer, with a spiral-binding installed by my local copy shop. (All my Kelby books get this treatment - they lie flat and are much more reference-friendly; about $3-5. Get the clear plastic covers front and rear). This book is an absolutely essential addition to your Photoshop library if you are serious about improving your PS skills (a life-long pursuit!) Matt has a unique ability to write in a style that draws you in and entertains you at the same time. Even the advanced techniques are presented in an easy-to-follow manner, and unlike some books, Matt doesn't skip key steps by assuming the reader already knows the basics. You come away from a chapter thinking - wow! - that is useful to know! And it was fun! Way to go Matt! Keep them coming!
  
  
• Good but for beginners
  By A20A1R59TN15O8 on 2008-03-25
  Everything about layers is explained in hands-on tutorials, and the exercises really go step by step through how to deal with the various aspects of layers. There is a summary at the end of each chapter outlining the key points from the chapter.
  
  I would consider myself an intermediate user of photoshop and really found there wasn't much I didn't know already. Quite a few useful tips and shortcuts in the book which I was reminded of, but otherwise I flipped through this more like a magazine than a book. I would highly recommend for beginners (5-stars) and for anyone else (3-stars), you'll learn as much by searching the web or subscribing to the Photoshop Users TV and Photoshop Killer Tips podcasts
  
  
  
• You need this book!
  By ABKKNDNB1UPFO on 2008-03-27
  I just finished reading Layers last week, and have been playing with Matt's techniques. Wow! I've been using layers in Photoshop, but obviously have not been taking full advantage of them--had no clue how to use an adjustment layer, even though I knew they existed. This book will completely change how I handle photos--no more saving 6 versions of the same file. Who knew you could do retouching on an adjustment layer. The dodge and burn technique is fantastic. Now I will do all my level adjustments on an adjustment layer and not be saving 2 versions of the photo: the original and the "adjusted."
  
  I am not a professional photographer, nor a graphic designer. Most of my work is in InDesign. However, I am constantly trying to improve the less than ideal photos (terrible photos, actually) given to me for my documents. My personal project of trying to salvage boxloads of old family photos also creates some challenges.
  
  This book is going to save me tons of time, effort, and disk space! And, best of all, improve my results! Best money I've spent on a book in a long time. All the examples apply to the results I need to accomplish.
  
  If you've only been dabbling in PhotoShop or if you've been spending hours pasting, trimming, de-fringing, and trying not to blur faces when dodging heavy shadows, or if you are filling your drive with unnecessary versions of files or huge multi-layered photoshop files, you need this book! My copy is already dog-earred from carrying it between home and work. Thank you Matt!
  
  

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