Photoshop can be such a headache for both experts and beginners alike. Every time you open photoshop there’s always a new thing to learn. Being a Graphic Designer and a digital Content Creator I have had to create and edit images and designs in Photoshop. It’s still the best there is. Even though I went to Design School to learn Graphic Design, I must confess the skill I have gathered in the use of Photoshop is self-taught from online courses and books.
There are lots of books out there on Photoshop Mastery and finding the right one can be quite tricky. Luckily, I have put together great Photoshop Design Mastery books below that you can use as a Photoshop tutorial.
However, before I talk about these books it’s fair to note that there are two types of Adobe Photoshop. There’s the one you have probably heard of, Adobe Photoshop, then there is Adobe Photoshop Elements which is a limited edition of the former. Adobe Photoshop Elements is much like Photoshop but with fewer features and not as complex. In this blog, I will talk about Mastery books on both so you can get the most out of the two.
Top Adobe Photoshop Books
1. Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book (2020 Release) 1st Edition
This book is written by Andrew Faulkner. His bio describes him as the founder and creative guru at Afstudio Design with 20+ years in providing design and photo-illustration services to a long list of corporate clients.
As the name suggests the book gives you the experience of being in a classroom without stepping into one. Clear and easy to read, this book is very easy to follow especially if you download the exercise files from Adobe and work along with it.
2. How Do I Do That in Photoshop?: The Quickest Ways to Do the Things You Want to Do, Right Now! 1st Edition
As I said earlier ‘Photoshop can be such a headache.’ This book cures it :). With easy step by step instructions on how to edit your images fast in Photoshop, this book tells you exactly how to do it like the Author was sitting right beside you.
One curious feature that you will find quite helpful is that you can easily flip through the topics and find the exact topic or issue and solution you seek clarification on.
Here is the purchase link:
3. Adobe Photoshop: A Complete Course and Compendium of Features
In this book, you will learn procedures needed to use photoshop effectively and professionally. You can easily use this book as reference whenever you are working on a project editing photos in Photoshop.
The book contains initial Chapters with easy hand-on lessons followed by detailed information in the back on each subject. You will find this quite helpful in grasping the basics first before driving into in depth information while learning.
Check it out to get a copy.
4. Photoshop CC Essentials for Photographers: Chelsea & Tony Northrup’s Video Book
If you are a Photoshop beginner user then this is the book to continue your learning journey with. It’s concise and easy to read with illustrations. I would recommend buying the Kindle Version of the book. It has videos that you can learn with.
If you are not much of a book person then you will find this book quite interesting alternating between text to training Videos. You will also find the text and videos engaging and greatly informative.
Get it from the link below.
5. The Photoshop Toolbox: Essential Techniques for Mastering Layer Masks, Brushes, and Blend Modes
We all edit for different reasons, be it Graphic Design or Photography or both, like me. If you are a Photographer and want to start editing with photoshop then this is definitely the book for you.
This book is written with the Photographer in mind, but the Designer can definitely still learn one or two things from it. It is well organized with a clear illustration of the different editing processes. The author also includes a link in the book to download files to work along with while learning.
Here is the to get the book.
6. Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book (2018 release)
This an earlier edition of the Classroom in a Book publication. If you are a beginner and are looking for a complementing learning material then here it is. The book gives you the basics step by step without the long boring explanations beginners must hate.
It also contains interesting, challenging exercises with clear illustrations. The answers are provided to check your comprehension. Note that I used ‘complementing’ while describing its use. It’s a comprehensible beginner friendly book and a good start for one.
Best rated Adobe Photoshop Elements Books
1. The Photoshop Elements 2020 Book for Digital Photographers 1st Edition
If you are a photographer seeking to enhance your editing skills then this is the book for you. The book gives you the inside tips and tricks for editing and retouching your photos like a pro.
Taking good photos in JPG is one thing, but being able to process them using camera Raw is another. Here you get to move from beginner shooting to shooting raw files like the expert you can be.
Get your copy today:
2. Photoshop Elements Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts in easy steps: 2020 edition
If you are clueless about design and photo editing and then you have found the book to walk you through step by step. You could easily refer to it beside your computer as you work on your project or as you learn.
Simple and easy to follow, this book makes photoshop a breeze as you navigate through Elements 2020.
Want to get yours? Find it using below link:
3. Mastering Adobe Photoshop Elements: Excel in digital photography and image editing for print and web using Photoshop Elements 2019
A guide for both beginner and expert, this book has easy to follow techniques that help you make fast and effective edits. The book contains well-illustrated steps on photo editing with bonus quick tips to enhance your skill.
If you like a challenge, this book does not disappoint. You’ll find both simple and advanced editing features to get you to the next level in photoshop.
4. Adobe Premiere Elements For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) 1st Edition
This book gives you a different kind of learning. If you are a beginner in Photoshop Elements then this gives you an easy-to-read and understandable experience.
It also gives you instructions on how to install Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 in no time. If you need a step by step manual on Photoshop Elements 2020 and its photo editing processes and techniques then this is the book for you.
Get yours today.
Conclusion
Mastering Photoshop is not a walk in the park, but once you get the basics and grasp the functions of the tools in Photoshop, you are quite well on your way to becoming an expert. I hope the above suggestions act as a guide to choosing the right Photoshop Design Mastery book for you to learn and advance your skill today.
Happy Learning!
