As many of you know, photography is a passion of mine and lately, I’m craving it more and more. While I’m not a huge fan of overly processed photos, at least not on every single photo, I do like to pick some favorites and play with them in Adobe Photoshop. I thought it would be fun to share with you, some of the places I get my actions from. It’s very easy to get caught up in actions because they can totally change the look of your photo, most times for the best but in my opinion, the shot you take straight out of the camera, is the one that really counts. That shows what kind of photographer you are. Anyone can use actions but it’s skill and sometimes sheer luck to get a great photo.
I included all sorts of actions, text actions, and tutorials. Have fun with it!
COFFEESHOP
My new favorite place is CoffeeShop. Tons of great actions for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. She even has things for Lightroom. It’s a place you’ll spend hours at so prepare yourself with coffee and snacks, get a babysitter, and enjoy! Also, these are all free and she works on donations. I recommend a donation no matter how small (or big) because these folks put a lot of time into creating these so that you don’t have to.
- ~ CoffeeShop’s Actions and Presets
- ~ Storyboard Actions and Templates —>Love this!!!
- ~Textures —>Tons of beautiful textures/backgrounds & tutorial to show you how to use them.
PIONEER WOMAN
You had to know these would be included. Her and I have a lot in common with the whole cowboy life so naturally her actions are a good fit for many of my photos. She has also updated her current actions and is working on set number three!
- ~ Pioneer Woman Set 1 —>My Favorite that includes Vintage-Boost-Quick Edge Burn (& more)
- ~ Pioneer Woman Set 2 —>Includes my fave, the 70′s.
PANOSFX
Great free and paid actions. The free ones require registration but are totally worth it!
- ~ Reflections
- ~ Out of Bounds
- ~ Border and Bend
- ~ Page Curls
- ~ Fan
- ~ Snow Globe
- ~ Rule of Thirds of Cropping
- ~ Oldies
devianART
LIKNES
- ~ FilmStrip
- ~ Puzzle Action
- ~ 3D
- ~ Borders
- ~ Text
SHUTTERFREAKS
Extras
- ~Text and Image Effects by FinesseFX
- ~Turning Turnip: Photo cube effect – Apply 3D photo cube effect to any image.
- ~Page Curl Photoshop Action - Create a page curl in any of the four corners of an image.
- ~ Grungy Goth Painter
- ~ eCover Action
- ~ Explosion Action
- ~ AstroTurf Text Action and more
- ~ Electric Light Text
- ~ Blood Text Action (Great for Halloween!)
PHOTOSHOPROADMAP (who did a heck of a job linking to all the different ones!!)
100 Wonderful Photo Effects Photoshop Tutorials
70 Horror, Blood and Gore Photoshop Effects and Brushes
Dreamy, Magical and Lighting Effects Photoshop Tutorials
15 Artistic Watercolor Effects Photoshop Tutorials
15 Fantastic and Absolutely Free Photoshop Plugins
Complex and Sophisticated Lettering Designs Photoshop Tutorials
30 Fascinating Video Game Inspired Photoshop Tutorials and Brushes
35 Creative Portrait Effects Photoshop Tutorials
30 Awesome Photoshop Text Effects Tutorials
25 Inspiring Movie, Music and Art Posters Photoshop Tutorials
30 Beautiful Photo Frames and Borders Photoshop Tutorials, Brushes and Actions
64 essential guides, tips and tutorials to definitely master Photoshop like a pro
The Best 80 Photoshop Text Effects on the Web
100 Awesome High Resolution Photoshop Brushes
Grunge and dirty Photoshop tutorials, brushes and textures
BUY
- Adobe Photoshop at Amazon
- Adobe Photoshop at Ebay (Research the Seller before Buying)
- Adobe Photoshop Academic Superstore (HUGE discounts for students and teachers…..
Finally, if you want to create your own Photoshop action, check out Veerle’s Blog for a step-by-step tutorial!
Kara @ His, Hers, and Ours. says
You TOTALLY just made my morning! Now, I can’t wait to get home, so I can play with them! Thanks!
.-= Kara @ His, Hers, and Ours.´s last blog ..Friday’s Freewrite and Friday Fragments =-.
To Think Is To Create says
What a great resource, thanks! I agree taking a good shot is so important. Cropping can only get you so far. ;)
My favorite effect is cross process, I think it shows the world how I see it, a little dark, a little bright, a little mysterious…
.-= To Think Is To Create´s last blog ..Thankful For Recovery =-.
Tiffany says
I know the basics of Photoshop but need to learn more. Thanks for a fabulous reference post!
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Jumpstart for Wii, Pet Rescue =-.
Edward Felts says
I used photoshop to put the monograms on the baby bedding that we sell. It was nice to show that in the pictures without putting monograms on baby bedding that had not been sold. I am still learning photoshop but it is great to use if you like scap booking your photos.
http://www.babybeddingsets.biz
.-= Edward Felts´s last blog ..Welcome! =-.
Mark says
I just launch Brushnet: Brushnet. A new collection of free Photoshop Brushes. :D
Eric Shafer says
Great collection of resources, thanks!
.-= Eric Shafer´s last blog ..30 Lovely Hand-Picked Flower Desktop Wallpapers =-.
Rick Skomsky says
I have been to your site before. Great boudoir photos. Wanted to tell you, you have a georgous website
Sabrina@portrait photography north myrtle beach says
I have never used Photoshop on any of my photos. I used to think that it was similar to cheating on a final exam (haha!). But lately, I noticed that this Photoshop craze is somehow turning into an art in its own right. It takes talent, a good eye for detail and a love for photography to come up with those gorgeous “final products.”
I am at a crossroads right now — to Photoshop or not to Photoshop …?
Your post just shoved me to the left — TO PHOTOSHOP! :)
Rosemarie says
Yup, I agree. Photography is simply amazing. I know the basic in photoshop and I too love to play and discover more about it. Nice one.
Karl@portrait photographers myrtle beach says
photoshop is the one I’m using right now.Never tried any other Graphic software, I think PS is the coolest and the best so far. With these actions, presets, and etc. I could expand my knowledge and capability in doing my designs. Thanks!
natalie says
What a great collection and ideas, i really love it, thanks for sharing this wonderful post, keep it up!