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2025 Project Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop 2024 release - Classroom in a Book by Conrad Charvez Review

Happy New Year over oranges

Adobe Photoshop 2024 release - Classroom in a Book by Conrad Charvez

I did most lessons except the web ones, preparing for print, editing video and working with camera raw which I didn't think was worth it. I did not learn as much as I think I would have, but I borrowed it from a library so there was no cost to me. I think it's probably overpriced at $64.99 or £51.99. 

Hawaii postcard

However the caveat, and there is a caveat, if it was part of a work project, I probably would buy it. After all I did get the 2023 Illustrator Classroom in a Book which cost me £48.99 - I didn't finish it however I got enough skills and confidence to do my book cover featured blow. 

Book cover, Sweet Desire
Cover from learning the illustrator in a Classroom book

I guess depends on how much value a person gets from it, and how desperate you are. I was desperate when I paid £48.99 even though I had access to LinkedIn learning webinars. 

Good Selling Points

It a good showcase of what Photoshop 2024 can offer but rarely goes in depth. So it covered a lot of the new features and Generative AI or machine learning in the lessons. It also offers assignments for extra credit which I didn't do.  

panoramic picture of three

It is also well written and easy to follow. You go get a web copy of the book if you register with publisher and also the free downloads or lesson files.

It has a really good chapter on adjusting pictures, where I took liberties. It is a bit worrying though because I can see what magazines do, however it was interesting.  

Before and after of adjusting a picture
Before and after of airbrushing

I took less time than I thought it would but I'll need to go through it again.  It also has good chapters with updates on adjusting pictures with the new features but note most are AI or machine learning or Generative fill. 

Probably a good reference as I intend to go through it again.

Not So Good Selling points

It is very basic, and the Advanced Compositing chapter was disappointing. I was disappointed the cover wasn't part of the lessons. That was a let down, since I guess that's what would have attracted some buyers. 

However, as I mentioned before I'll probably need to cover the book a few times before I actually learn and remember the techniques. 

Overall

  • A good light and basic introduction to Photoshop but note it uses  a lot of the AI features (generative fill) etc, so you need an up-to-date edition. Also at the speed of AI development, things get obsolete quickly.
Overall it comes down to what the user wants to do.

What Next

I thought this would have taken longer so now I'm moving on to How To Cheat in Photoshop by Steve Caplin, though this is a very old book! AI wasn't on the landscape then, and some tools or methods may be obsolete. 


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