Adobe Photoshop CS3 One-On-One may be one of the most interesting training systems I have ever seen. It is a straightforward, step-by-step guide to the features and functions of Photoshop. It has many real-world projects, insider tips as well as coverage of new features in CS3 such as Adobe Bridge. Add to that, it has the entertaining teaching style that has made Deke McClelland a legendary trainer in the Photoshop world.

According to the author, he created Adobe Photoshop CS3 One-On-One for three different audiences; graphic artists, designers and photographers. He created the book as a highly visual, full color multi-media presentation that will allow you to read, watch and do! His goal was to meet the needs of beginning and intermediate users but has found that even the most experienced users have learned new techniques.

The book contains 12 lessons, each of which contain three to six step-by-step exercises. Each lesson contains a corresponding video lesson; a DVD-Rom disk is included with the book that contains over two hours worth of training video, in which the author introduces concepts that you will need to complete the exercises. Each exercise culminates in a real-world project for you to complete.

While I won't go in to each of the lessons, McClelland does cover all of the fundamentals of Photoshop such as color balancing, cropping, selections, masks, filters, text and layers. When each tool is introduced, all of the important options are explained so that you will be able to work with the tool and get a good understanding of what it can be used for. On top of that, the instruction is high quality, as it not only includes the "how," but the "why" as well.

What I like about Adobe Photoshop CS3 One-On-One is the whole concept of multi-media training. McClelland starts a chapter, say lesson four "Making Selections," by giving a brief overview of what the chapter is about. In this case he explains "Photoshop doesn't perceive the flower as an independent object. Instead, the program sees pixels ... Photoshop sees a blur of subtle transitions without form or substance." Where a lot of authors would stop at the word pixels, McClelland takes the time to get you to understand the concept.