7 Adobe Photoshop Books That Elevate Your Editing Skills

Explore Adobe Photoshop Books authored by Scott Kelby, Andrew Faulkner, Martin Evening, and top industry experts for proven learning.

Updated on June 27, 2025
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What if I told you that mastering Adobe Photoshop isn't just about knowing the tools, but understanding how to wield them creatively and efficiently? Photoshop remains the cornerstone of digital editing, powering everything from professional photography to graphic design. Whether you're refining images or crafting intricate composites, knowing where to turn for expert guidance makes all the difference.

These seven books, written by recognized authorities like Scott Kelby and Andrew Faulkner, offer you more than just instructions—they bring decades of experience and practical insight. From project-based lessons to advanced retouching techniques, these resources have shaped how creatives approach Photoshop worldwide.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific skill level, interests, or goals might consider creating a personalized Adobe Photoshop book that builds on these insights to accelerate your learning journey.

Best for photographers sharpening editing skills
Scott Kelby is President and CEO of KelbyOne, an online educational community for photographers. He is Editor, Publisher, and co-founder of Photoshop User magazine; host of The Grid, the influential live weekly talk show for photographers; and founder of the annual Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk. Kelby is an award-winning photographer, designer, and bestselling author of over 100 books, including this one, which reflects his decades of experience training photographers and Photoshop users since 1993. His deep expertise and leadership in the photography community give this book its authoritative edge.
2023·384 pages·Photo Editing, Digital Editing, Adobe Photoshop, Digital Photography, Retouching Techniques

Scott Kelby, a seasoned photographer and the driving force behind KelbyOne and Photoshop User magazine, wrote this book to demystify Photoshop for digital photographers. You learn concrete skills like using Photoshop’s AI-powered masking to select complex subjects such as wind-blown hair and mastering retouching techniques that fix common photo issues quickly. The book breaks down which settings to use and when, eliminating guesswork and speeding up your workflow with shortcuts and insider tricks. Chapters on Camera Raw integration and special effects offer practical tools to enhance your images, making it especially useful if you want to elevate your photographic editing without wading through theory. This book suits photographers ready to sharpen their Photoshop skills efficiently, though casual users might find some techniques advanced.

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Best for mastering Photoshop features
Stephen Laskevitch is an Adobe Certified Instructor with extensive experience in graphic design and digital imaging. His expertise shines through in this book, where he combines practical lessons with detailed explanations of Photoshop’s features. Driven by a desire to help learners and professionals alike, Laskevitch offers a resource that supports both immediate skill-building and long-term reference, making it valuable for anyone serious about mastering Adobe Photoshop.
2020·416 pages·Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, Digital Imaging, Photo Retouching, Composite Imaging

Stephen Laskevitch, an Adobe Certified Instructor, brings his deep experience in graphic design and digital imaging to this thorough guide. You learn not only the practical steps for using Photoshop’s tools, like selections, masks, and blend modes, but also why these features work the way they do, thanks to the complementary Course and Compendium structure. The book includes downloadable lesson assets that let you practice real projects, from photo retouching to composite 3D images. If you want to master Photoshop with a resource that balances hands-on lessons and detailed feature explanations, this book fits the bill.

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Best for custom learning paths
This AI-created book on mastering Adobe Photoshop is crafted based on your skill level, interests, and creative goals. You share which Photoshop techniques you want to focus on and your current experience, and the book is written to fit exactly what you need to develop. Because Photoshop is vast and complex, a personalized guide helps you concentrate on the tools and methods that matter most to your projects and growth.
2025·50-300 pages·Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Basics, Image Editing, Layer Management, Retouching Techniques

This personalized AI book explores the art and science of mastering Adobe Photoshop through a customized step-by-step journey. It covers essential techniques, tool functions, and creative workflows tailored specifically to your background and goals, ensuring you focus on what matters most in your learning path. The content reveals how different Photoshop features can be applied effectively to your projects, whether you're enhancing photographs or crafting complex digital compositions. By matching your interests and skill level, this tailored guide helps you navigate Photoshop's depth with clarity and confidence. It examines both foundational principles and advanced skills, making complex concepts accessible and relevant to your creative ambitions.

Tailored Guide
Creative Workflow Mastery
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for project-based Photoshop learners
Andrew Faulkner brings over 25 years of design and photo-illustration experience to this edition, having worked with Adobe since 1994 to develop the original Classroom in a Book series. His extensive background as a Photoshop expert and his creative work featured in top newspapers gives him unique authority. This deep knowledge drives a book that guides you through 15 hands-on projects, teaching the latest Photoshop tools and techniques in a clear, practical way, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about mastering the program.
Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book (2020 release) book cover

by Andrew Faulkner, Conrad Chavez··You?

2019·416 pages·Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, Photo Editing, 2D Graphic Design, Image Compositing

What happens when decades of professional graphic design expertise meets Adobe Photoshop training? Andrew Faulkner, a veteran Photoshop artist with a history dating back to helping develop the original Classroom in a Book series in 1994, offers a methodical, project-driven approach to mastering Photoshop's 2020 features. You’ll learn hands-on skills like using the new Object Selection tool, advanced Content-Aware Fill, and how to prepare images for both print and web, with each of the 15 lessons building practical proficiency. This book is ideal if you want to move beyond theory and gain concrete experience with Photoshop’s updated interface and workflows.

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Best for advanced photo editing techniques
Martin Evening, an internationally renowned photographer and 2008 Photoshop Hall of Fame inductee, wrote this book drawing on his extensive expertise in studio-based beauty photography and Photoshop retouching. His deep knowledge of the software’s capabilities and creative possibilities drives this comprehensive guide, making it a valuable resource for photographers seeking to elevate their digital editing skills.
2020·788 pages·Photo Editing, Digital Editing, Adobe Photoshop, Image Retouching, Creative Workflow

Martin Evening, an internationally recognized photographer and Photoshop Hall of Fame inductee, brings decades of hands-on experience to this guide. He meticulously explores Adobe Photoshop 2020's latest features like Cloud document saving and the Depth Range Mask, making complex tools accessible without oversimplifying. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of both foundational workflows and advanced editing techniques tailored specifically for photographers and professional image editors. The book’s structured chapters, supported by real-world examples and updated tutorial resources, equip you to confidently tackle creative image manipulation on both Mac and PC platforms. If you seek a deep dive into Photoshop’s evolving capabilities with clear, expert guidance, this is a solid choice.

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Best for creatives mastering Photoshop CC
Andrew Faulkner, founder of Afstudio Design and a veteran Photoshop expert with over 20 years of experience, helped develop Adobe’s first Classroom in a Book series starting in 1994. His deep involvement with Adobe and extensive professional background lend this book unmatched authority. Faulkner’s practical approach draws from his work featured in major publications, making this edition a reliable resource for mastering Photoshop CC’s extensive features and emerging tools.
Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book book cover

by Andrew Faulkner, Conrad Chavez··You?

2018·416 pages·Digital Editing, Adobe Photoshop, Photo Retouching, Image Compositing, Video Editing

What started as a collaboration between Adobe and seasoned designer Andrew Faulkner became a definitive guide for mastering Photoshop CC. Drawing on over two decades of professional design and photo-illustration experience, Faulkner walks you through 14 project-based lessons that cover everything from correcting and enhancing photos to crafting complex image composites. You'll learn to automate repetitive tasks, work with 3D objects, and even edit video with motion effects, all while navigating Photoshop’s evolving interface. This book suits aspiring creatives and seasoned professionals looking to deepen their technical skills and understand practical workflows within Adobe Photoshop.

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Best for rapid skill upgrade
This AI-created book on Adobe Photoshop is tailored to your specific skill level and editing goals. It’s designed after you share your background and the Photoshop topics you want to focus on, so the content matches exactly what you need. Unlike general guides, this personalized book guides you through a 30-day transformation plan that aligns with your interests and helps you build practical skills step by step.
2025·50-300 pages·Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Basics, Image Editing, Layer Management, Retouching Techniques

This personalized book explores a 30-day journey to elevate your Adobe Photoshop skills in a way that matches your unique background and editing goals. It covers essential Photoshop techniques, creative workflows, and advanced tool applications, ensuring that each chapter focuses on what matters most to you. By blending core principles with your specific interests, this tailored guide reveals a path through complex Photoshop capabilities, making learning efficient and engaging. Whether refining basic skills or tackling intricate compositions, the book provides a focused, personalized approach that empowers you to progress rapidly and confidently within your own creative context.

Tailored Guide
Editing Workflow Mastery
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for practical Photoshop CS5 workflows
Scott Kelby is Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine and President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. Known for his engaging teaching style, he trains thousands annually through seminars and books. This background gives him unique insight into photographers' needs, which he addresses in this updated guide to Photoshop CS5. His hands-on experience ensures you learn techniques that are in real demand, making this book a practical tool for enhancing your digital photo editing skills.
480 pages·Adobe Photoshop, Photography, Image Editing, Color Correction, HDR Processing

Scott Kelby's expertise as Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine shines through in this book tailored for digital photographers seeking to master Adobe Photoshop CS5. He distills complex techniques into straightforward guidance, revealing how to sharpen images like pros, fix common photo issues fast, and achieve precise color correction with minimal effort. Particularly valuable are chapters on HDR processing and Content-Aware Fill, along with a complete workflow bonus chapter. You get practical settings and insider tips that save time and enhance your editing skills. This book suits photographers who want to elevate their Photoshop use without wading through theory or guesswork.

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Best for beginners using Photoshop Elements 2021
Jeff Carlson is a columnist for the Seattle Times and contributing editor at TidBITS, with extensive experience writing for DPReview, CreativePro, and Macworld. His background in digital photography and software guides this book, which aims to help you master Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 through structured lessons and practical projects. Carlson's hands-on teaching style and thorough knowledge make this book a solid choice for anyone wanting to improve their photo editing skills with accessible, expert guidance.
2020·320 pages·Adobe Photoshop, Photo Editing, Digital Photography, Image Organization, Creative Techniques

Jeff Carlson, a seasoned technology columnist and editor with a strong background in digital photography and software, brings his expertise to this thorough guide on Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021. In this book, you’ll work through 10 carefully designed lessons that teach not just the basics but also delve into more advanced techniques like photo organization and creative editing options. Carlson’s experience writing for outlets such as Macworld and his hands-on teaching approach make the material accessible whether you’re a hobbyist looking to improve personal projects or a budding photographer aiming to master image editing software. The inclusion of downloadable lesson files and a web edition enhances the learning experience, helping you practice and revisit key concepts at your own pace.

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Conclusion

These seven books collectively underscore three key themes: hands-on learning through projects, practical workflows tailored for photographers, and deep dives into Photoshop's evolving features. If you're a photographer looking to refine retouching skills, Scott Kelby's guides offer straightforward, effective techniques. For those who prefer structured lessons, the Classroom in a Book series by Andrew Faulkner provides step-by-step mastery.

Facing time constraints but eager to improve? Combining the rapid skill-building approaches in Kelby’s books with Faulkner’s methodical projects can fast-track your proficiency. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Adobe Photoshop book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation.

These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and unlock Photoshop’s full creative potential. Whether you’re a beginner or aiming for professional expertise, the right guidance is at your fingertips.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with Scott Kelby's "Adobe Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers" if you're focused on photography. Its clear approach helps you quickly grasp essential editing skills without getting lost in theory.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Adobe Photoshop?

Not at all. For beginners, "Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 Classroom in a Book" by Jeff Carlson offers a gentle introduction with practical lessons that build confidence step by step.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with beginner-friendly titles like "Photoshop Elements 2021 Classroom in a Book," then progress to project-based guides like Faulkner's Classroom in a Book series, and finally explore advanced topics in Martin Evening's work.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Focus on books that match your Photoshop version and goals. Newer books cover updated features, but classics like Kelby's guides remain valuable for foundational techniques.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Stephen Laskevitch's "Adobe Photoshop" balances feature explanations with practical lessons, while Kelby and Faulkner emphasize hands-on projects and workflows for immediate application.

Can I get a tailored Photoshop learning plan instead of reading multiple books?

Yes! While these books offer expert knowledge, creating a personalized Adobe Photoshop book can tailor insights to your skill level and goals, making your learning more efficient. Check out this option here.

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