In Photoshop CS5 Essential Training, author Michael Ninness demonstrates how to produce the highest quality images with fantastic detail in the shortest amount of time, using a combination of Photoshop CS5, Adobe Bridge, and Camera Raw. This course shows the most efficient ways to perform common editing tasks, including noise reduction, shadow and highlight detail recovery, retouching, and combining multiple images. Along the way, Michael shares the secrets of non-destructive editing, utilizing and mastering Adobe Bridge, Camera Raw, layers, adjustment layers, blending modes, layer masks, and much more. Exercise files are included with the course.

Topics include:

Automating image adjustments with Camera Raw

Adding keywords, ratings, and other metadata to images

Filtering a large collection of images down to the "keepers"

Cropping, correcting perspective, and straightening images

Creating, naming, hiding, and deleting layers

How to make selections and masks quickly

Improving mask quality with Refine Edge

Techniques for combining multiple images

Non-destructive editing techniques with adjustment layers and Smart Filters

Retouching essentials, such as blemish removal and body sculpting

Color correcting images

Using the essential blend modes, layer effects, and styles

Creating contact sheets and web photo galleries