Recommendation for a book on post-processing?

[Hoopa]

I bought a Nikon D3100 about a month ago, and have enjoyed learning how to photograph using the manual settings, and everything that can be done with those. I have been messing around with some simple post-processing in iPhoto on my Mac, but don't feel that I really know what I'm doing. I'd like to take the next step, and upgrade out of iPhoto to Aperature or Photoshop-branded software.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a book for me to learn how to do post-processing? More specifically, I'm looking for a book that describes how to use the different adjustments (i.e. contrast, shadows, tint, color adjustments, etc.) and what they accomplish. Ideally, the book would be software neutral. But I'll take what I can get.

I can't wait to use my camera on my August trip to WDW!

Thanks!
Hoopa

 

[photo_chick]

Photography by Upton, London, et. al. You can pick up an old version really cheap (I paid like $6 for mine). It's big, thick, often used as a textbook, and is geared toward photography in general not just film or digital. What you're talking about, understanding what makes a good photographic print, the concepts are the same for film or digital. Once you understand what to look for with your contrast, blacks, whites, color, exposure, etc.. you will know what to do with the tools in your software.