Book Review - The Contrarian Effect: Why It Pays (Big) to Take Typical Sales Advice and Do the Opposite

The Contrarian Effect: Why It Pays (Big) to Take Typical Sales Advice and Do the Opposite

by Michael Port (Author), Elizabeth Marshall (Author)

Looking to get into sales or are you already in sales? If you're looking to improve client retention and take a long term view then this is the book you need to read. It's short at 157pgs but it's inexpensive and the ideas are easy to understand and easy to implement. As I read thru I could see how typical closing tactics alienate your clients compared to taking a contrarian approach. I'm looking forward to other works by these authors.


this is the book you need to read if you are in sales

Book Review - Printing with Adobe Photoshop CS4

Printing with Adobe Photoshop CS4
By Tim Daly
Printed by Focal Press
ISBN: 9780240811383
Pages: 304
Format: Book - Paperback
Trim: 7.44in x 9.69in
Publication Date: May 19, 2009
Price: $39.95

http://focalpress.com/Book.aspx?id=5196

Many books on Photoshop just glaze over the printing process, but this is the book to get to improve your Photoshop output. Tim Daly starts the book talking about the tools to capture your images, gets into color management and profiling. Then moves into solving problems like color casts and how to eliminate them from your final output. Tim also discusses paper types, printer sizes and ink types. This is the only book you'll need if you need to learn more about printing from Photoshop.

Book Review - Adobe Photoshop CS4 Studio Techniques

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Studio Techniques
By Ben Willmore, Dan Ablan
Copyright 2009
Dimensions 7-3/8 X 9-1/8
Pages: 480
Edition: 1st.
ISBN-10: 0-321-61310-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-61310-3


I reviewed the previous version of this book when it was only Ben Willmore working on it. Dan Ablan was contracted to revise it for CS4 and I'm very pleased with his approach. He maintained Ben's easy going style while adding his own flair to the revised areas.

There are also 6 bonus videos available via download. The link is in the book. This is new material from Dan Ablan and the video's alone are worth the price of the book.

This book is a great resource for all CS4 readers. Material has always and still is presented in an organized and smartly planned manner. Dan and Ben's styles convey the information clearly and allow you to see further possiblities with the tools.

I especially liked the use of the Luxology logo on page 321. Yeah Dan, nice connection to your Luxology modo training and books.

Book Review - CINEMA 4D 10 Workshop

CINEMA 4D 10 Workshop (Paperback)

by Arndt von Koenigsmarck

This was a great book to get started in 3D with. Arndt begins with an intro to 3D concepts and builds from there. I'm really impressed with the colour screen captures in a time when many tech books go cheap and are docutech printed. Focal Press did a good job on this one. While it is now out of date and has been updated for Cinema 4D 11, I have no doubt Arndt has done a fabulous job on the revised edition. So if you're using C4Dv10, order this book, but if you've already upgraded to v11 or are looking to buy into C4D now, then get the updated edition to v11.

http://focalpress.com/Book.aspx?id=8858

CINEMA 4D 11 Workshop

By Arndt von Koenigsmarck

ISBN: 9780240811956

Series:

Format: Book - Paperback

Trim: 7.44in x 9.69in

Publication Date: March 25, 2009

Price: $54.95

Book Review - Digital Painting in Photoshop

Digital Painting in Photoshop
By Susan Ruddick Bloom
Printed by Focal Press
ISBN: 9780240811147
Format: Book - Paperback
Trim: 9.69in x 7.44in
Publication Date: February 16, 2009
Price: $39.95

If you are a photoshop user without the benefit of a fine arts background then this is the book for you. Susan Bloom does a great job of introducing you to the fundamentals of artisitic painting in photoshop. Chapter one alone is worth full price of the book. Susan goes in detail into what all the brushes are in Photoshop and how to make more and how to apply them in your painting. Remaining chapters go thru different techniques and transforming you work into those styles.

As already mentioned, this book is great for those who didn't study fine arts because Susan gives a history of the painting techniques are eg: watercolours and oil painting.

This is not a book about outputting your work or colour management. Susan focuses in on the painting only and does a great job of it.

http://focalpress.com/Book.aspx?id=5068

Book Review - slide:ology The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations By Nancy Duarte

slide:ology The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations By Nancy Duarte

This is the book that should come with Keynote, Powerpoint and should be read by anyone preparing for a visual presentation. It's not a software manual but you could consider it to be a top notch visual presentation manual.

Invaluable tips that will make you appear like a true pro if you follow thru on them.

Book Review - Adobe After Effects CS4 Classroom in a Book by the Adobe Creative Team.

Adobe After Effects CS4 Classroom in a Book by the Adobe Creative Team.

The CIB series has always been a good investment of time and money. This edition is no different. If you're looking to learn After Effects, this is where you need to get started.

There are 14 lessons covering all aspects of After Effects starting with workflow and including masking, keying, 3D features and other basics. I really like that they introduced the tracking features. This is not a tool for beginners but the Adobe Creative Team has made it simple.

One caveat. This book will not make you a professional After Effects user. The only thing that will do that is practice, lots of it, But this book is what you need to get started.