There are a lot of Photoshop books available in the Amazon Kindle Store, but the ones I have looked at don't provide the information I need. I am new to Photoshop, but I am not new to photo editing, having been using other photo editors (mostly PhotoLine and Affinity Photo) for some years, so I know what layers are and I know (mostly) how to use the individual layers and masks to do what I want to do. What I need help with are some of the more Photoshop specific concepts - when and how to best use smart objects and smart filters, scripting in Photoshop, perhaps some information on automation and the like. What I generally see when I look at the Amazon Kindle store are books for beginners and books about specific topics, but what I want is a middle to advanced book on Photoshop concepts and usage.
Scott Kelby, Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine-and the #1 best-selling photography techniques author-once again takes this book to a whole new level as he uncovers more of the latest, most important, and most useful Adobe Photoshop techniques for photographers. This update to his award-winning, record-breaking book does something for digital photographers that has never been done before-it cuts through the bull and shows you exactly “how to do it.” It's not a bunch of theory; it doesn't challenge you to come up with your own settings or figure it out on your own. Instead, Scott shows you step by step the exact techniques used by today's cutting-edge photographers, and best of all, he shows you flat-out exactly which settings to use, when to use them, and why. That's why editions of this book are widely used as the official study guide in photography courses at colleges and universities around the world.
The photographer's workflow in Photoshop has evolved greatly over time and, in the latest edition of this book, you'll learn how to leverage Photoshop's new AI-powered masking features and how to spend less time on boring production tasks, so you can spend more time being creative. Plus, you'll learn: The most useful retouching techniques for photographers, such as how to make “impossible” selections, like wind-blown hair (it's easy, once you know the secrets), and how to use layers like a pro. The sharpening techniques the pros really use. The pros' tricks for fixing the most common photo problems fast! How to seamlessly remove distracting things from your images. How to make the most of Camera Raw and when to work it into your workflow, even if you never shoot in RAW-it works great on JPEGs and TIFFs, too. The latest Photoshop special effects for photographers (there's a whole chapter just on these!). A host of shortcuts, workarounds, and slick “insider” tricks to help you get twice the work done in half the time. You also get four online bonus chapters with even more content, along with the images used in the book, for download, so you can follow right along.
This eBook requires no passwords or activation to read. Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book 2026 contains 15 lessons that use real-world, project-based learning to cover the basics and beyond, providing countless tips and techniques to help you become more productive with the program. For beginners and experienced users alike, you can follow the book from start to finish or choose only those lessons that interest you. Learn to: Create and improve images using the professional tools in Adobe Photoshop Easily correct and repair photos Seamlessly remove backgrounds and unwanted object Select subjects with complex outlines, including hair Use Adobe Firefly generative AI to retouch challenging images or to create new images Composite multiple images with graphics and typography Using a timeline, animate graphics and type and combine them with video and audio Automate repetitive tasks Edit camera raw images Export your work for the web, mobile devices, video, and print Classroom in a Book®, the best-selling series of hands-on software training workbooks, offers what no other book or training program does an official training series from Adobe, developed with the support of Adobe product experts. Purchasing this book includes valuable online extras. Follow the instructions in the books Getting Started section to unlock access to: Downloadable lesson files you need to work through the projects in the book Web Edition containing the complete text of the book, interactive quizzes, and videos that walk you through the lessons step by step What you need to use this book: Adobe Photoshop 2026 Release software, for either Windows or macOS.
Key concepts and practical guidance for mid-to-advanced users
What this book emphasizes is not only the surface features, but also how to integrate tools into realistic photographer workflows. It covers smart objects and smart filters, scripting basics, automation strategies, and how to leverage AI-powered tools for masking and retouching. The material presents concrete steps, settings, and workflows used by professional photographers, offering a clear path from core tools to advanced techniques.
Tools and panels you will master
- Smart Objects and Smart Filters: non-destructive editing, scalability, and flexible editing pipelines.
- Layers, Masks, and Blending: precise control over composition and tonal adjustments.
- Camera Raw and non-destructive RAW processing: color, exposure, and detail optimization across formats.
- AI-powered masking and Firefly integration: faster selections and creative variations without sacrificing quality.
- Sharpening and noise reduction workflows used by professionals to preserve detail.
- Background removal, object removal, and retouching techniques for clean composites.
- Automation, actions, and scripting basics to streamline repetitive tasks.
Performance and efficiency come to the foreground in this edition, with a focus on reducing production time while maintaining high-quality results. The book demonstrates how to plan a project, determine the appropriate toolset, and layer management strategies that scale with project complexity.
Workflows for common photographic tasks
- Selections and masking: achieving accurate masks for challenging subjects, including hair and wispy elements.
- Retouching and compositing: blending edits with natural texture and lighting consistency.
- Color correction and toning: ensuring color fidelity across devices and mediums.
- Background replacement and object removal: maintaining edge quality and realistic integration.
- Creative effects and typography: integrating graphics, type, and imagery for impactful results.
- Automation: using actions and scripts to reproduce complex pipelines efficiently.
Practical tips for early adopters and seasoned users
Even if you never shoot in RAW, Camera Raw workflows can enhance JPEG and TIFF processing, and the book explains when to apply these steps within a broader editing strategy. The latest AI-powered masking features can save time on difficult selections, while traditional methods remain valuable for nuanced edits. Shortcuts, workarounds, and insider tricks help you accomplish more in less time, making this resource useful across different levels of expertise.
EVERY TOOL in Photoshop EXPLAINED and DEMONSTRATED!
Additional resources and learning formats
The book includes online extras such as downloadable lesson files and a Web Edition containing complete text, interactive quizzes, and videos that walk through the lessons. This aligns with the Classroom in a Book approach, offering an official training series from Adobe with expert-backed content. Users can proceed through all lessons or select topics that match their interests and goals.
In summary, this book serves as a bridge between mid-level understanding and advanced application, equipping photographers with practical techniques, real-world step-by-step guidance, and a roadmap for integrating new features like AI-assisted masking into established workflows.