darkroom and processing

If you've got the Photoshop or Photoshop Elements manual, you have a clearer, more comprehensive, and easier to understand book than this. Save your money.

"Secrets of the Digital Darkroom" is modestly priced for what one gets from the author in this book. I got a copy at the Library and am so impressed that I am buying a copy for my bookshelf and one for a friend as well. The book is very well printed in full color, with beautiful color illustrations on every page. Is every detail of Adobe Photoshop covered? Of course not. How could a book of 191 pages do that?
Many details of digital photgraphic manipulation and management have become clear to me for the very first time after reading this book. I have been taking pictures since the '50s and graduated to my first digital camera 4 years ago so I am not a rank beginner.
There are many "Recipe books" around but this isn't one of those. Neither is it a "Reference" book with lists of every Command, action and key stroke lists. But, that said, the instructions do apply specifically to Adobe Photoshop but have helped me to clearly understand my own Adobe PS Elements Two software though not all of the techniques are available in both programs. I think the knowledge gained here will go far in aid of the entheusiast that uses other programs as well. This book is "Knowledge Base".
This book is very suitable for the beginner through the advanced amateur level. Subjects from color depth, resolution and balance to Curves, levels, Duo-tones, panoramic display, to hardware and much more, is well covered. It seems that not a single issue has been overlooked by the author, from the basics through very advanced techniques and concepts. Highly recommended for in depth knowledge of the process of digital photography in general from scanners, through digital manipulation techniques -basic through advanced - and finally printing. An excellent Table of Contents and index permits quick location of topics for in-depth reading. Well worth the money, in my opinion.

I bought this because it had sections on alternate techniques and were they poor! I learned nothing, and the book was pricey even if it had been useful. I could have written it and I'm certainly no expert on Photoshop. Seems like anyone can throw one out there these days and sucker us in.