 Using Photoshop files in your non-linear editor seems like an easy task—you just save the files and import them into your editing program, right? But then you notice that they don’t look quite right, so you go tearing through various manuals, and before long your head is spinning with explanations of square & non-square pixels, RGB & 601 colors, straight & premultiplied alphas (screeeeeeam!). Wouldn’t it be nice to have all these things explained in one easy-to-read guide? You’re in luck. These issues are demystified in Photoshop for Nonlinear Editors by Richard Harrington.
You might be saying to yourself, “This is all very relevant information, but it sure sounds boring!” and you’d be right. Luckily, this book doesn’t stop there—not even close. The book is literally packed with color photos and screenshots, tips & tricks, expert-user profiles, keyboard shortcuts and tutorials.
There are excellent chapters (among others) on converting and cleaning up logos, color correction, and one of my favorites, the chapter on repairing damaged photographs. Many, if not most of the techniques described in the book have uses beyond the scope of nonlinear editing. The motion graphic artist and print artist will find plenty of useful information here. There are shortcut combinations scattered throughout the book, and a large list of them in one of the appendices.
I found many of the tips and procedures in this book…well…depressing, because they explain in one or two concise paragraphs techniques I’ve wasted HOURS on in the past perfecting. Be prepared to do a lot of smacking yourself on the forehead.
My only disappointing moment while reading the book was when it ended. It’s not a very long book (about 300 pages), and it left me wanting more. Then I inserted the included DVD-ROM into my computer. Ask and ye shall receive.
These are some of the best bonus materials I’ve seen included with a software book. Included are 14 video tutorials (adding up to over an hour of video training), source files for all chapter projects, 20 tutorials & case studies (in pdf format) containing content not found in the book, tons of demo plugins, and even a few free ones. Not to mention a section containing free actions, styles, fonts, textures, gradients, stock photos, backgrounds, etc….whew! These are assured to keep you busy for some time.
 
Conclusion
Photoshop for Nonlinear Editors by Richard Harrington is one book every Photoshop user should have in their arsenal. As the title implies, it’s geared for nonlinear editors, but anyone who uses Photoshop on a daily basis will find this a great source of information. While the novice-intermediate user will get the most out of it, there are tons of tricks, tips, and workflow time-savers that even advanced users will appreciate.
I give it 4 1/2 Cows!
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