Chapter 1. Mini Series: Using Photoshop CS5’s Mini Bridge

Exposure: 1/160 sec | Focal Length: 200mm | Aperture Value: f/14

Photo by Scott Kelby

If you’re reading this chapter opener (and you are, by the way), it’s safe to assume that you already read the warning about these openers in the introduction to the book (by the way, nobody reads that, so if you did, you get 500 bonus points, and a chance to play later in our lightning round). Anyway, if you read that and you’re here now, you must be okay with reading these, knowing full well in advance that these have little instructional (or literary) value of any kind. Now, once you turn the page, I turn all serious on you, and the fun and games are over, and it’s just you and me, and most of the time I’ll be screaming at you (stuff like, “No, no—that’s too much sharpening you goober!” and “Are you kidding me? You call that a Curves adjustment?” and “Who spilled my mocha Frappuccino?” and stuff like that), so although we’re all friendly now, that all ends when you turn the page, because then we’re down to business. That’s why, if you’re a meany Mr. Frumpypants type who feels that joking has no place in a serious book of learning like this, then you can: (a) turn the page and get to the discipline and order you crave, or (b) if you’re not sure, you can take this quick quiz that will help you determine the early warning signs of someone who should skip all the rest of the chapter openers and focus on the “real” learning (and yelling). Question #1: When was the last time you used the word “poopy” in a sentence when not directly addressing or referring to a toddler? Was it: (a) During a morning HR meeting? (b) During a legal deposition? (c) During your wedding vows? Or, (d) you haven’t said that word, in a meaningful way since you were three. If you even attempted to answer this question, you’re clear to read the rest of the chapter openers. Oh, by the way: pee pee. (Hee hee!)