How to Use Photoshop Actions

When I designed Larissa's banner, it looked like this...
Then I was introduced to Mandi's Actions and it became this (click images to enlarge)...
And I've been hooked on Actions ever since! 

Since I'm self taught at photoshop, there's certain things I've missed that I'm still discovering and they're extra exciting... like a present under the Christmas tree that you find on Boxing Day and it's even better! Actions are one of those treats for me and if they're new to you, here comes Christmas!
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What are Actions? Actions are a 1 step editing system in Photoshop that accomplishes a ton of editing steps with just one click! There are thousands of different actions styles that produce different edits and techniques and they can be used individually for a great product or combined to create a more dynamic photo.
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My Story: I used to take approximately 5-6 minutes editing each & every photo I post... now, (once I choose which Action I want) it takes literally 15 seconds! When I do posts or tutorials with lots of photos, it sometimes took me 5 hours to edit photos with my original step by step method in photoshop! Gack, that's too long... so when I used my Actions from Mandi for the first time, I was SO shocked and happy with how much time they saved me and how pretty they made my photos, I actually had tears in my eyes! Like she'd saved my life a little!

A Few Examples...
(this is Lola the day after I got her... sucha muffin!)
 
Here's some secret writing for you LDR :) I was supposed to go to bed at midnight and it's almost 9am... opps ;)
How to Load & Use Actions:
1. Find some free actions (google "Photoshop Actions") or purchase a set, I recommend Mandi's Pretty Actions (only $30).
2. Download the file and double click the actions icon. This automatically loads it into your photoshop and they're ready to use.
3. Open one of your photos with photoshop and select an action in your actions drop-down (right beside the history tab).
4. Click the play button and your action will automatically go through the steps and edit your photo to completion! You can also combine actions to create different effects or layers; play around and see what you like :)
5. Save your image as a jpg or png and it's ready to use or print!
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Button Mode Tip: Set your Actions feature to 'button mode' in the arrow drop-down and the options list becomes color coded and does not require you to click the play button... one step less :)
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Snapshot Tip: As you go between actions finding the one that suits your image and style best, you can click a 'snapshot' (with the camera icon at the bottom of your history toolbar) and it will capture your current edits so that you can go back, compare between or work from a certain stage instead of finding your place in the history list. This feature is awesome!!
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In a few weeks, I'll show you how to create your own actions! This can be incredibly handy if you always resize your photos, round corners, watermark or have a certain editing technique that you're doing step-by-step! It's sooo easy to create your own actions and you'll likely cry happy tears too ;)
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Tonight I'll begin a 7-day photo series. I'm excited to share my families collection of vintage chairs at the cabin. We love finding pretty vintage furniture; it's a fun family project that we do together year round :)
This is tonight's chair, un-edited and I can't wait to show you how beautiful it becomes with quick edits using Actions! I'll be using actions on all of the Vintage Chair Series photos + linking to the original so you can see the difference. See you tonight! xo, LA
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ps. I might do a 1-week photo series every month (probably of my collections or obsessions)... let's see how we like this week and make a decision together :)

28 comments:

  1. I've recently discovered actions as well, so fun!
    I use these, they're free and really good.
    Love your blog :)

    - Anne (a fellow Canadian)

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  2. Maybe I should have added that link, eh?!
    http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/08/pioneer-woman-action-sets-1-and-2-updated/

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  3. LOVE actions! You should check out SmashingMagazine, they have the best free photoshop actions.... but i think i'll buy Mandi's too :) thanks for sharing !

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  4. I'm obsessed with the equivalent for Adobe Lightroom... they're called "Presets"... it has saved me HOURS of work for my photography business!

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  5. I have no clue how to do any of this but have always wanted help. Thanks so much for posting such a practical and helpful post. I ::love:: it!! Plus, your posts for RVA Camp are always beautiful. Can't wait to start!!

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  6. I a huge and recent fan of actions too :D They're GREAT! I currently use the freebies from Rita's 'Coffeeshop' - http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/ (there's a Flickr group too) Will check out those other providers tho' - the more the merrier :D

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  7. Funny enough I just bought a brand new set of actions this morning!!! Good Morning Leigh Ann:)

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  8. Thank you for posting this! I am also a self-taught photoshopper, and I am just now getting to the place where I could definitely use something like this.

    And that photo of tiny Lola is to die for! So cute!

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  9. I heart actions I use them all the time! Except I make my own, cos $30? Really? Haha.

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  10. love posts like these LA. thanks much!

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  11. I love actions I can't live with out them... well I could but it would take longer. =)

    I use Pioneer Woman's actions a lot (Bonus: They are FREE!) http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/08/pioneer-woman-action-sets-1-and-2-updated/

    PS. 9AM?? Really? You are crazy!

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  12. Thank you, Leigh-Ann! I know some people dont like to pay for acitons, and I used to be that way until I realized that the free actions were really sub par (most of them) and so I paid $45 for my first set of professional actions. I think that especially when you are using actions for business things (such as when you are a professional blogger or using them on product photography) it's really not that much money in the long run, and I really enjoy supporting other independent business owners. As you know, working in the creative industry is difficult financially, so I try to do little things to generate revenue for new projects, and that's really how the action set got started. Also, I try to include various options in the set and always work with people if they have difficulty or want an action tweaked more to their liking.
    Anyway... didn't mean to write a book! ;)

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  13. Dude. :) Way to rock the actions! I've long admired Mandy's and might just have to splurge, now! he he.

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  14. awesome! I've been teaching myself photoshop, so this really helps! Thanks!
    xoxo, Katie

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  15. one question I'd have for you about actions is working with a white box -- I use one so all my product images have a white background. but the issue is that a lot of times color is pulled from my products (like the ruffle) and it "bleeds" digitally in the photo.

    i'm not sure how to explain this the right now...

    basically my photos will have a "wash" of yellow (if the product photographed has a yellow ruffle) and so there is a lot of unique editing i have to do.

    would actions still help me?

    i'd love a post on photo sessions, tips, etc.

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  16. Yes! This is bliss! I love, love, love this info. Please keep it coming!
    BTW Do these techniques work in Photoshop Elements, or just Photoshop CS?

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  17. I love actions! I second thepioneerwoman.com actions! they were my firsts and actually taught me a lot about photoshop.

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  18. I love actions! You can download tons of free ones by various artists on Deviant Art.

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  19. I love this walk through - and that snapshot feature will save me so much time!! Thanks :)

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  20. Thanks for this tutorial! I love actions but haven't spent nearly enough time playing with them.

    Oddly enough, a couple days ago I made a skirt out of that exact fabric behind the turquoise stool! I even blogged about it. I LOVE that print!

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  22. Wonderful tips! I've been itching to get Photoshop and seeing how helpful and easy Actions are to use is exciting!

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  23. thanks so much la! you're awesome. this will come in handy :)

    ♥elycia

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  24. Sooo easy and fresh looking! Thanks Leigh-Ann; you always share the coolest stuff.

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  25. Such an amazing tip. Thanks!

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  26. Search high and low on how to do this and no one was smart enough to keep it simple and say "hit play" except for you! Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. hehe, those are the kind of instructions I like too :) xo

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