This inspirational guide to creative image editing will help you master the essential features and tools of Adobe Photoshop CS4. Broken into three parts to form a structured, self-study guide, "Photoshop CS4: Essential Skills" covers the foundation skills and more advanced techniques you need to enhance photographs creatively and professionally. Practical, step-by-step imaging projects then give you the chance to practice your skills and see what you can achieve with the right tools and knowledge. Written by two internationally recognised authors and Adobe Photoshop Ambassadors, this established book and DVD package cuts through the complexities of Photoshop to deliver essential, clear guidance on how to get the best results. Fully updated with the latest CS4 features, it also contains vital information on how to optimize your photography and digital imaging workflow. Now includes a free DVD, packed with more than 10 hours of detailed video tutorials to accompany the projects in the book, royalty-free hi-resolution images, indispensable RAW files for editing practice and much more. Learn to retouch and enhance your photographs, produce sophisticated montages and create special effects with clear instruction and step-by-step practice projects that show the why and the how-to: develop an efficient workflow from capture to print, saving time and hassle, and helping you to achieve professional-looking results in Photoshop CS4. Watch and learn, with more than 10 hours of movie tutorials on the accompanying DVD to support the practical projects.