Photoshop Actions

Get in on the Action

Using Photoshop Actions to Enhance Your Photos

I'm working on an article for another publication. The topic is creating unique digital scrapbooking embellishments by scanning three-dimensional objects that have a special meaning to you.

For example, what fun to do a layout with baby pictures using a scan of baby's first pair of shoes or favorite toy as embellishments.

To illustrate the concept, I did a layout of my son as a baby. Problem is, my son is now 39, which means I don't have digital baby pictures of him.

I found two photos that fit my theme, but frankly, they needed a lot of help!

They were both too dark and had scratches. And, even though they were taken on the same day within minutes of each other, the tonal values were drastically different because one was taken with a Polaroid and the other with a film camera.

I fiddled around with various Photoshop tools like Image>Adjustments>Levels, Brightness/Contrast, and Hue/Saturation. I tried various Photo Filters to no avail.

Finally I decided it was time to call in the professionals, so I went to Scrap Girls.

In the Boutique, I found this amazing set of Actions by Melissa Renfro titled Photo Basics 5001.

Photoshop Actions are complex automated processes that you run with one click. The set includes seven different actions.

I tried all of the actions on my photos just because it was so fast and easy and then settled on Sepia with Color Added.

The whole process was so simple. I ordered the action set; downloaded it to my computer; unzipped the file; and moved it into the Adobe/Photoshop/Presets/Photoshop Actions folder.

The set came with an excellent seven-page tutorial that explained, not only how to do all this but also, how to use and customize the results.

There's even a section of tips for specific problems like if your original photo was over- or underexposed (like mine).

Great job Melissa!

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