Actions

When I first discovered Actions, I was like a kid adding toppings to a cupcake. "I want the gummy bears, oreos, M&Ms, sprinkles, peanuts..." And just like a real sugar overdose, my creation would come complete with a stomach ache at the end. Eventually you learn that less is more. And I found myself narrowing my usage to the same 4-10 ones. By far, my favorites are from Totally Rad Actions. I haven't edited a single session in six years without using them. This a little before/after from a recent session, done by increasing contrast (33%), using "Pool Party at 67%, then "Warm it Up Chris at 26%. I use this combination a lot because I love the combination of warm over cool tones. But my single favorite thing about their actions (that I think sets them apart from the rest) is "YING YANG". It gives you the ability to choose where you want your image to be lighter and darker. The flexibility is amazing.

And the awesome peeps at Totally Rad Actions have been nice enough to offer a free set of presets to one lucky person today. Just enter by commenting on this post, and the winner will be announced tomorrow. Good luck! :)

Update on Friday, April 16, 2010 by Maile Wilson

And the winner is Glenda at hzgrace2@gmail.com!! Congratulations! And thanks for all the great comments everyone! :)

Comments

[Jenny]

Hi There,

I haven't worked with Actions or Presets before, but I'm definitely intrigued! Would love to give then a try!

Thanks,

Jenny

[Becky D.]

I've been wanting Totally Rad actions for SO long! GREAT giveaway!!

[Tricia]

Oh good golly! My heart just started racing at the mere thought of winning that actions set.

I loved your kid in a candy store metaphor, btw. So true!

XO*Tricia

[Busymomma66]

I love Actions. I have a couple of sets from Pioneer Woman that I use all the time. I love layering them and trying different combinations until the photo truly unfolds.

[Emma]

i'm still learning all about photoshop and actions...but i already know i LOVE them :)

[Heather]

Oh my. Drooling . . . what fun it wold be to play with these actions!

[Stacy]

Wow, what a difference these actions made to the picture! I want these actions so bad! I think they are fabulous. And, I love the names of the actions...especially "Warm it Up Chris." (I might be a little partial because my hubby's name is Chris)

Thanks!

[Rachel]

i've been wanting to purchase some Totally Rad actions for a while now. winning them would be even better! :) i just have to promise myself i won't overdo the actions. everything in moderation, right?

[Stacy Brunner]

I love actions, too. And I agree... I use only a handful of different actions and I like being able to adjust the lightness/darkness.

[Lori]

I would love to try these. I've heard so many good things about them.

[marina]

Wow, Maile, thank you for this chance!!!
The combination of presets you used has great effects, but you captured beautifully the happiness in these lovely faces, and the communication among the three.

[pam]

I have admired these actions and presets for ever and a day. Someone is going to be very happy with this gift!

[Y]

I use their "revenge" set all of the time. I would LOVE to have the original set.

[Ashley]

Oh my goodness! I would really love to have these actions!
Thank you, thank you!

[Laura]

I have just started experimenting with different actions.... I usually only use vintage actions. The ones at Totally Rad look awesome!

[Tera]

Love actions! Thanks for giving some away!

[Secret Agent Mama - Mishelle Lane]

INDEED!! TRA are the creme de la creme!

[spread your wings]

your photo is wonderful - such joy in their faces.
i would like to try some of these actions. i experiment some but usually just go sooc or make minor adjustments in PS

[ToniM]

I don't edit at all without using Actions. Super easy way to process.

[Christine Horne]

I haven't used actions before - intriguing.

[Sarah]

Oh I love this...I have played around a bit with actions..love to use the cross processing. What a wonderful treat! That kiddo...OMG what a cutie!! Wonderful shot!! Sarah

[AmyBean]

Do these work with PSE? So many sites only offer actions for full Photoshop, so I'm left in the dust. It makes me sad.

I have so many actions downloaded, and I use about 4 different ones over and over. I have one action to add a vignette, and I run it on almost every one of my photos, changing the opacity to make it less obvious or more so. I've also learned that less is more when it comes to editing, but trying so many different things has helped me find my style and learn what I like. It's fun!

[Amberly]

I would love to give these a try!

[georgia]

i have used a couple of their actions in the past... actions that make a photo look vintage... can't remember the name of the action. but i was very happy with the results and ease of use.

i'd love to get more actions and learn how to enhance my photos with them more. i'm still learning layers and filters and effects and textures. it's been fun. but it's nice to use the automated actions that someone else has come up with... especially when they give you the flexibility to tweak the photos yourself, too.

[Jess]

I've been coveting their actions for a long while now. I have so much to learn and woud love to try them!

[Burcin]

I love the Actions results! Thanks for sharing. :)

[chris]

I've looked at those several times but never ordered them. Would be fun to win a set to try out!

[Jen]

Yep. I can OD on actions if I'm not careful!
Thanks for this post!
Jen

[Justin B.]

Actions are the best! I'm a new photog, and have recently discovered them....I love you're work and your blog...check it nearly everyday for inspiration! Thanks!

[ally]

Have had my eye on those sets for too long! Great Giveaway!

[annfla10]

i am a novice, hobbyist, photographer- wanna- be who's been trying, for the longest time, to find a mentor. just two days ago I spent the whole day trying to learn "actions" which is totally new to me. I've been hearing about "actions" from comments on photo blogs and didn't have a clue what this was about. a few days ago, shutter sisters had a particular photographer featured and I went to her blog "Mockingbird" and like a domino effect was introduced to the wonderful world of actions. I spent a whole day trying to get into the groove and am still trying to navigate around it. but yes, it is truly amazing. i would love to have an action that makes photos look dreamy looking.

[Sara]

This is one giveaway I really hope I win!!

[Jenny McE]

I'm still at the 'kid in a candystore' stage with actions and textures but only because there are SO MANY to choose from!! LOL!! Once you start using actions your photos are immediately at a whole new level of COOLNESS that is hard to duplicate :0)

[Ann]

Would love some of those actions! I promise not to overdo!

[Beverly]

would love to win. these photos looks just beautiful

[karen]

The smiles and giggles in today's photo are contagious!

[Faith]

I've been wanting to learn about actions so this would be great.

[Kellie]

I LOVE actions!!! I'm not sure how we survived without them in the past! :)

[EmJay]

Pick me!

[Lucy]

I am just learning about actions and have become an addict.

[shutterboo]

I like using actions as well - and I love being able to manipulate them. Having no previous experience with Photoshop, they've actually helped me understand more about layers and curves. Big fan. ;)

[Laura]

I have just started experimenting with different actions.... I usually only use vintage actions. The ones at Totally Rad look awesome!

[Becky Sue]

I just purchased Photoshop and would love these actions!

[Kristen]

I love the little boost actions can make to an already great image! They can really be used to bring out the best parts!

[Carrie]

I am desperately trying to get back to using photography as my artistic outlet...It has always been such a release for me and I got lost along the way somehow! These actions would be a HUGE push in the right direction!

[AngieS]

What a fantastic giveaway!! Thank you...

[LauraC]

I first found Actions through Pioneer Woman and I am at the stage where I am learning to reign them in!

[Elizabeth]

Less is definately more when you're talking actions. I use Totally Rad Actions and LOVE them.

[Laura]

I have been drooling over TRA for months - just waiting to have a little extra cash. It would be awesome to win them!
How generous! :)

[Samantha]

Oh YEA! I have been wanting to try actions- and I hear especially great things about Totally Rad. What a great analogy to describe how fun it is to play, but that the end results might not really be what you are going for!