SEBASTOPOL, Calif. -- "Raw data is the holy grail of digital photography," said award-winning photographer and best-selling author Mikkel Aaland, when his book Photoshop CS2 Raw was published two years ago. The same is still true today.

"Anyone who is serious about digital photography and wants to produce the best possible picture needs to shoot and process Raw," notes Aaland in the introduction of his new book, Photoshop CS3 Raw (O'Reilly, $34.99 U.S.).

Aaland's up-to-the-minute edition focuses on the important features of Adobe Photoshop CS3, including Camera Raw's new retouching tools, expanded controls and ramped up sharpening features. Aaland also explains how to use Camera Raw in conjunction with Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Bridge 2.0 to capture organize and optimize Raw images so you can produce the best possible digital photographs.

With a personal teaching style that illuminates and inspires, Aaland offers easy-to-follow visual instructions to demonstrate how Raw data gives you greater flexibility and control during the editing process. You learn which tools to use for each phase of your workflow, from managing shoots to perfecting photos. Once you apply these techniques to your own work, you'll understand why so many professionals turn to the Camera Raw plug-in -- and to Photoshop CS3 Raw as their guide.

Easy-to-follow instructions and beautiful illustrative graphics help you gain quick understanding of Photoshop CS3's three distinct working environments for Raw files: Camera Raw, Bridge and Photoshop itself.

With this book, you'll learn how to:

• Decide when (and when not) to shoot Raw

• Organize and manage your Raw images in Adobe Bridge

• Automate Raw capture and processing with scripts and actions

• Achieve optimal tonal control and accurate color with Adobe Camera Raw

• Sharpen Raw images smartly

• Create stunning black-and-white images from your Raw files

• Save and archive DNG files

Between the gorgeous examples that Aaland lays out and his clear writing style, you'll not only learn how to best utilize Photoshop CS3's Camera Raw, but you'll also enjoy the journey of learning these skills under Aaland's tutelage.

About the Author

Mikkel Aaland is a professional photographer whose pioneering work in digital photography dates back to 1981. He is the author of nine books including the bestselling Photoshop Elements Solutions and O'Reilly's acclaimed Photoshop Lightroom Adventure. Visit his Web site at http://www.shooting-digital.com.

Photoshop CS3 Raw is available via the Imaging Resource Amazon affiliate program at a 34 percent discount.