Adobe Photoshop Master Class Book

John Paul Caponigro specialises in compositional landscape photomontages which he creates in Photoshop, superimposing rocks and stones, cloud forms, water and lighting effects with landscape backdrops. His compositions are executed with a high degree of technical competence and in Adobe Photoshop Master Class he describes his methods.There is a basic introduction to technical concepts at the beginning of the book and each chapter provides specific instruction on how to achieve a particular effect. But the bulk of the book is devoted to Caponigro's thoughts on "visual problem solving". At their most practical, these deal with techniques for converting colour images to black and white, extending dynamic range, creating duotones and digitally simulating alternative photographic processes.Caponigro then attempts to explain the purpose of his compositions. If you're a fan, these are the parts of the book you will find most illuminating; others may find the tone a touch precious.Caponigro on technique is fine--"Never forget light. If you photograph an object from many angles without rotating the object ... the direction of light in the separate images will not be cast from a consistent angle ... the separate images will no longer share a single reality".Caponigro on his own work--"The land encloses the figure. The figure encloses the land. Who's pregnant with whom? The earth with the woman, or the woman with the earth? A portion of us is made of earth. A portion of the earth is made of us. One gives voice to the other". Excruciating. --Ken McMahonRead More