PS Action recommendations?

Discussion in 'Photography Pad' started by tkradtke, Aug 10, 2015.

  1. tkradtke

    tkradtke Professional Brainstormer

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    Does anyone have any recommendations for good, basic photoshop actions for portraits? I usually do minimal processing on my photos for a more natural look when scrapping, but my daughter has recently asked me to take more "portrait" type shots of her and I would like to expand my action collect/photoshop skills. I would be using these solely for playing around with my own family, not a business, so I don't need a big, fancy set. Just something to take my editing up a notch or two. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2015
  2. lorryfach

    lorryfach Likes to be chauffeured

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    Have you seen Gina Miller's freebies?
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  3. klee73010

    klee73010 I might have a thing for drummers

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    Coffee shop blog has tons of free editing actions, too.
     
  4. jk703

    jk703 CEO of Anything and Everything, Everywhere

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    I suggest the freebies!

    Paint the Moon has beautiful sets - this one is specific to portrait type photos. http://paintthemoon.net/v2/picture-perfect-v2/
    PTM Freebie: http://paintthemoon.net/products/try-paint-the-moon/

    Greater Than Gatsby has some... and a freebie pack: https://www.greaterthangatsby.com/photoshop-actions/
    GTG Freebie: https://www.greaterthangatsby.com/free-photoshop-actions/

    Oh So Posh Actions: http://ohsoposhphotography.com/artstore/products/photoshop-actions/
    OSP Freebie: (on FB) https://www.facebook.com/OhSoPoshPhotography/app_190322544333196


    If you ever decide to shell out money for editing... I suggest RadLab! :)
    Rad Lab - (my favorite) - http://www.gettotallyrad.com/radlab (like running 75 actions at once, then customizing)
    Amber has a blog post with my RadLab freebie: http://www.amberlabau.com/fave-photo-fixes-free-download/
     
  5. MelanieB

    MelanieB Well-Known Member

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    I can't live without RadLab anymore. It's taken my photos to a whole new level and given new life to my digital travel photos from 2005-2006. Once in a while, RadLab does have sale. I bought it for about 30% off recently. Make sure you check out Jenn's blog post above^.


    Also, I'm a big fan of My Four Hens actions:
    http://myfourhensphotography.com/shop/shop-photo-editing-tools/photoshopactions/
    http://myfourhensphotography.com/shop/shop-photo-editing-tools/elements-actions/
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2015
  6. tkradtke

    tkradtke Professional Brainstormer

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    Thanks so much for the suggestions! I "accidentally" started a free trial of Radlab just now.:blush Not that I didn't want to, but I wanted to wait until Wednesday when we did our first little photo shoot. Oh well. I decided to just go for it so I could play around a bit before we took the photos. Does actual Radlab have more actions than the trial?

    Also, one key thing I'm looking for is a skin correcting action. Clara is 13 and has some mild teen skin issues. I currently clone out big spots but leave everything else since that's just how things are now when editing pics for scrapping. But I would like a smoother look for our portrait attempts.
     
  7. kaphelps

    kaphelps CT - OLB

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    I use The Coffee Shop blog (Rita's) Perfect Portrait Three - it has a skin smoothing layer that you can adjust to your liking. One of my boys has strong, blueish veins under his eyes and this really helps to mask it a bit without looking like he's wearing make up- lol. Good luck with your portrait session!
    Love Rad Lab too :)
     
  8. jk703

    jk703 CEO of Anything and Everything, Everywhere

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    For actual facial editing, I use the Totally Rad Pro Retouch 2... https://www.gettotallyrad.com/pro-retouch

    As for RadLab, It has however many you get with the standard, and then you can get the freebies they offer, and others offer as well. Once I edit and love the outcome, I name and save the "recipe." I have oodles now. Once I save them, I can scroll through them like the others that they created. SO simple.
     
  9. NancyBeck

    NancyBeck Happy resident of Pollyville

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    Here's another RadLab devotee, I couldn't live without it either!
     
  10. dvhoward

    dvhoward Don't bother me before 10am!

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    RadLab lover, here!!
     
  11. tkradtke

    tkradtke Professional Brainstormer

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    Sigh... and it's all for naught.

    Teens.

    I had everything all researched, let them know well ahead of time what my plans were, even downloaded an app that told me when the "golden hour" was for our area and then they were "too tired" to get dressed and ready. I know I can take photos back home, but are here in Michigan and tonight was the night they had chairlift rides to the top of the mountain. I had my spot already picked out. I could have made them do it, but then there would have been an abundance of attitude.

    Sigh.

    Teens.
     
  12. jk703

    jk703 CEO of Anything and Everything, Everywhere

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    Awww... I dread when my boys hit their teens. Hugs.

    Hoping you will still get wonderful pictures of them when you do get them! :)
     
  13. tkradtke

    tkradtke Professional Brainstormer

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    Thanks Jenn. They honestly aren't that bad as far as teens go, so I should cut them some slack. Clara just isn't a girly girl and avoids having to get dressed up and Alex is in that sleep anywhere at anytime teen phase. He had come home this afternoon and fallen asleep face down, half off, half on his bed. Who knew we'd be back to daily nap times after he had given them up about 12-13 years ago!
     
  14. tkradtke

    tkradtke Professional Brainstormer

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    I got to take photos last night and I'm loving the radlab demo! I think I'm going to have to purchase it once my free trial is over!

    Here are a few...

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    YIKES! Sorry they're so big!!!
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2015
  15. sm_amber

    sm_amber I learn from the best..

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    These are gorgeous, Tracie!
     
  16. dvhoward

    dvhoward Don't bother me before 10am!

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    Oh, my gosh! These are FABULOUS photos and what a beautiful girl!! I especially like the motion you captured in the jumping pose. Don't you just love RadLab!! It's so easy to use.
     
  17. jk703

    jk703 CEO of Anything and Everything, Everywhere

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    Stunning! I love that first photo - the sun, the perspective, the smile!

    Sorry - I know RadLab is so addictive!
     
  18. IntenseMagic

    IntenseMagic Some grannies cuss a lot. I'm some grannies.

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    Tracie, those photos are stunning!! Yep, another RadLab lover, here! I don't know what I'd do without it anymore lol. And after a recent experience, I can say that their customer service is top notch as well. I actually won RadLab in a contest at another site like 2 years ago and after my last computer reformat, I was having trouble getting logged in. When I went to the store to download again I couldn't find the "purchase" anywhere. I contacted them and they were so fast getting it worked out for me...they found it under another email (stupid me) and then transferred it for me and I had it all back up and running in less than a day.
     
  19. Lor

    Lor you've always had the power, my dear

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  20. AllisonPennington

    AllisonPennington Queen of the Realm

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    Holy crap, those are stunning!
     

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