Chapter 9, "Channel Mixing and Other Tricks," takes a look at ways to mix color bearing channels with each other to create high-impact, black and white images and color them on a luminance by luminance basis. Chapter 10, "Calculations (a.k.a. Channel Operations)," looks at reasons and ways to blend two channels to create an alpha channel. You will also examine the use of the Calculation and Apply Image commands in masking.
Chapter 11, "The Pen Tool and Paths Palette," looks at the many ways you can apply transparency to text blocks, paths, and imported images inside Photoshop. Chapter 12, "Masking the Tough Stuff," will show you how to use the Calculations, High Pass, and Curves commands to separate complex images from similarly colored or cluttered backgrounds.
Photoshop CS4 Channels & Masks is presented in usual McClelland style - a little bit humorous, a little bit serious, and a whole lot of informative education. I like the format as well. Each chapter begins with a reading section. You are then sent to watch the video that is on the DVD, and then you perform the exercises.
The video is based on his Lynda.com videos, and there is more than three hours of them on the DVD. The book itself is in full color with more than 850 full color photos, diagrams, and screen shots to illustrate each and every step. At the end of each chapter is a quiz to test your knowledge over the chapter. If you want to learn the techniques of the selection masters, then I very highly recommend Photoshop CS4 Channels & Masks
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