Acknowledgements

This was a big project…probably the most complex and involved computer book ever written. It involved traveling to Tuscany in Italy to capture and organize a vast array of images, cataloging these images into a cohesive group, and weaving them into a narrative that taught photography, Photoshop, and design. I wanted the layout of the pages to be impactful, and I wanted the book to have the feel of a first-person travel diary. That's juggling a lot of different variables in a single volume.

As a result, kudos must be distributed far and wide to the team of people who helped pull this together.

First, I want to thank Sams Publishing as an organization and Associate Publisher, Mark Taber, in particular for supporting this project. This book broke the mold even more than did the original Art of Photoshop, and Mark saw the potential and helped shape the final result. In addition, Linda Harrison was a fantastic help as Acquisitions Editor. This was our first time working together and her first project after moving to Sams from a different imprint. I can't think of a more challenging project, especially since she was new to the organization. This project would not have happened without her focus and dedication. In addition, the Sams team did their usual bang-up job, including Alice Martina Smith, my long-time colleague and Development Editor extraordinaire.

On the technical side, Matt Detrich did a great job double-checking my photo technology facts and figures. Doug Nelson was also a help on the computer technology side. Thanks also go to Richard LoPinto, Steve Heiner, and the guys at Nikon for serving as a resource for technical information and general equipment support. You guys are a big reason why Nikon is a leader and innovator in the digital imaging arena.

As I look back over the course of this book, I'm amazed at the sacrifices my wife made in helping me complete this project. Barb allowed me to burn our vacation time to spend two solo weeks in Tuscany, gathering the images for this book. She then had to endure the months of writing and development that inevitably pulled me away and forced more work on her. Thanks Barb, I love you lots and appreciate all that you do for me.

Finally, I can't write an acknowledgement without thanking God. He's the absolute facilitator and the source of all my strength. I can't wait to see what He's going to do next.