best photoshop book that covers almost everything that beginners can understand?

Hi. I've been an avid slr/dslr photographer for years and always shyed away from/disagreed with post processing (I know, a bit ridiculous...I just felt it was an unfair advantage over film). I have finally turned the corner and am ready to dive into photoshop. I actually already have a copy (7.0 I believe, not CS2) and want to get started doing some editing.

Really just interested in reducing barrel distortion, CA, flare, exposure, white balance etc. Not trying to change photos drastically or import in anything...trying to keep photos in natural state as much as possible, only looking to fix flaws/mistakes. I am very adept with computers so I am not sure if a "photoshop for dummies" book would be for me as it might be too basic. I am hoping there is a book that is more of a resource for each situation that I can look up things when I come to them, as opposed to reading the entire book to understand anything. Does this book exist? Do you have a favorite photoshop book you would suggest?

I'm actually planning on converting to Mac eventually and will therefore probably get the updated version of photoshop so the version is not really a big concern with me right now, more just interested in what is the best.
Let me know your thoughts.
thanks ahead of time!

I recommend the "Photoshop Artistry" series by Barry Haynes & Wendy Crumpler. I like them because the emphasis is not on learning Photoshop itself, but on how to improve you photo using Photoshop. Lots of step by step examples and background theory.

Martin Evening's "Adobe Photoshop CS2 for Photographers" might be appropriate for what you suggest. He explains a lot, covers a ton, but not in a way that requires reading every single page - though you might have to read another page or two.
http://www.amazon.com …-5919949?%5Fencoding=UT​F8

I 2nd Scottes recommendation, it's a great book to learn from, and a good reference book too.

Scott Kelby's book, The Photoshop CS2 book for Digital Photographers is worth a look: http://****/bow3l

I was new to CS2, never having opened an Adobe program more involved that Acrobat Reader, and within a few minutes I was correcting problems with photos. While the format is presented as a step-by-step guide, many of the techniques are very powerful tried-and-tested stuff.

I agree with steve here, I too use Scott Kelby's book, and it's amazing and easy to use.

- Nick

Another vote for Kelby's book. Easiest the best PS book I have, and I have several.

If possible, I would recommend taking at least one Photoshop class.

Like most people I learned Photoshop on my own. The first version I bought was 6.0, bought some PS books, read them and learned how to use Photoshop. I also visited many Photoshop editing websites and learned more than I found in the books.

Last year I took a Photoshop course given by a Pro Photographer in New York City. It was inexpensive and the course was targeted for photographers. While I knew how to use Photoshop, I also did not realize until the first few hours of the course, I also picked up “bad” habits over the years when it came to using Photoshop.

After taking the course I felt my Photoshop skills improved, not only from what I learned but also what I learned to stop doing when photo editing.

You should also learn learn non-destructive photo editing. Most of the PS books I have looked at and the ones I own do not go into this or there is very litle mention of it. Out of all my photo editing skills I have learned, this is the most important one and it will be the one you use the most.

Bill

The Martin Evening & Scott Kelby books above are in my library of books. Very good info in each.

I have to state that, in my opinion, the Kelby book is not a great beginner's book because it *often* assumes that you know something about PS. Kelby quickly and succinctly dives into how to get things done and it's great if you already have a handle on PS. But I'd be worried that it will be frustrating for a beginner since he does not explain every single little step. It's a great book, no doubt, but maybe not for begginners.

I'm reading Real world cammera Raw with PH CS I'm only 28 pages in to it but it appers to be interesting
By Bruce Fraser

Another vote here for Kelby's book. Believe this book is CS and not CS2. The functions are the same but the key stroke differs slightly in some of the articles....

Regards
Bama

I have both of Fraser's Real World books and Martin Evening's book. All are excellent choices for learing PS with a focus on digital photography.

I have both the Martin Evening & Scott Kelby books. The Martin Evening book covers most of PScs2 tools, sort of like a manual with tutorials geared toward a digital photographers uses. The Scott Kelby book is more of a collection of tutorials (how to sharpen, retouch, print...)that touches on the tools used in each tutorial. I feel that I would recommend both books. However, if you can only afford one and you have little or no PS background Mr. Evening's book will give you more reference info.

That RAW book is essential reading, but it won't teach you photoshop.