Rating: 

If you are looking for a book to flip through and obtain a quick fix for your photographs or eye-catching effects to turn them into graphical explosions then look elsewhere. This book shows how to use digital processes to obtain maximum impact from your photographs — to bring out the very best. Although written for Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom many of the techniques would be appropriate for use with other image editing software.
Example images are available for download from the book's companion website - www.creativedigitaldarkroom.com - making it is possible to follow the steps described in the book before using the techniques with your own photographs.
The authors describe traditional darkroom experiences and look at photographic concepts in conjunction with demonstrating digital solutions.
One paragraph stays firmly in my mind:
“To be a better photographer you need to practice seeing. Not looking, seeing…”.
Once you decide to work on an image the authors suggest you follow the basic steps: acquire, prepare, enhance, interpret and output.
This concept is explained with pictorial illustrations in less than half a page early in the book. Then the remainder of the book is devoted to expanding on how to achieve each step. Skills to achieve each of the steps are built-up chapter by chapter.
I found this technique and the language used very easy to follow. The explanations are brilliant with information provided in regard to why as well as how.
The Creative Digital Darkroom is begging to be read from cover to cover. There may be a few very technical areas you would skip over initially but otherwise the content is enthralling in its presentation and use of photographs. A thorough study of the art of the digital darkroom which I am sure you would want to keep in your reference library.
I would rate this book as [5] Totally Awsome and suitable for the intermediate and advanced photographer or photo manipulator.

Pam Doughty
Editor
AUSOM News
AUSOM Inc - Largest Apple User Group in Australia