Anne Kowalski

I used this for the Photoshop part of my Digital Imaging class. It is good for an introduction to the different Photoshop tools and techniques. It explains how to use the tools, but isn't so great in explaining the "why's". That being said, my skills with PS really improved after working through the lessons.

I would only get this book if you are looking for a tutorial-style primer. Buy it, work through the lessons, then sell it because there's little to recommend keeping it as a reference book. When you finally arrive to that point in your learning, the Help files can do the job just as well. Another thing is that a couple of the last chapters deal with working in ImageReady, which isn't even a part of CS3 anymore.

If you are an advanced beginner or above in your Photoshop CS2 skills, and looking for a more creative learning approach, Adobe Photoshop CS2 Studio Techniques is a great follow up.