digital photography

While a very fine book for the technically knowledgeable, this book could be considered something of a failure for someone venturing into unknown territory. That is to say, someone without a knowledge of "working spaces," "ICC profiling" or other "insider" knowledge of graphics programs.
It assumes a familiarity with terms without explaining them well.
For example, there is a complete lack of explanation as to why one would wish to change a profile coming from a digital camera into another profile which is more favorable for printing images from an inkjet printer. Similar situations appear throughout the book (the section on curves will leave a body cross-eyed).
This is an 'instruction' manual for those functioning at the intermediate/advanced level, but it in no way 'teaches' one how to use Photoshop or why a certain step should be taken, so there is no real sense of 'aha! That's why I should use this function instead of that one.' A person can get lost in the dialogue, which is more apt to satisfy color professionals than John Q Public, who simply wants to learn how to use Photoshop for color correcting without a primer course under their belt.
Not recommended for anyone with an IQ under 150 -- unless you wants wrinkles on your forehead from consternation.

There are many books on photoshop techniques that are of interest specifically to the photographer (Martin Evening's fine book for example, or Katrin Eismann's great book for v6), but I have seen none that cover the breadth of material in Kieran's book, or have as much depth. Color correction can be an exceedingly difficult thing to do correctly, even for experienced photoshop users; with Keiran's step-by-step tutorials and many image samples, the reader is soon equipped to tacked rather difficult problem shots. Many other topics such as sharpening and printing are also covered, of course. Along with with Barry Haynes' Photoshop Artistry (v6 or v7) and the books I mentionend above, Kieran's Photoshop Color Correction has quickly become a welcome addition to my central core of indispensible photoshop guides. If you are a photographer and use photoshop, you NEED this book!

If you buy only 1 photopshop book, buy this one. I am not a photographer, not in the biz, I'm just a guy who loves his pictures.
Kieran's experience is beautifully communicated and he makes complex theories and industry standards sound simple. It is like having a seasoned Pro standing next to you. (I wish I could find a book on computer networks that's this good.) I'm only a few chapters into it, but already I look at color in a competely different way. My mind is racing as I recall pictures that I never got the most out of, and now I can!
I warn you; though some software and books make it seem like your computer can magically fix color, contrast, and produce beautiful prints on it's own; this book will challenge you to learn. Kieran explains the difficulties associated with color reproduction, what the industry has done, and what you can do with what you have. Stop wondering and start knowing.