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

[Kim]

I'm just starting out and LOVE actions!! I can spend an entire day editing photos :)

[becca]

YES PLEASE!

[Sara S]

Oh please pick me! I love what people do with the TRA actions! I have one set from them and it's awesome!

[karen]

I've been really curious to try some actions and have heard great things about these. Thanks for the opportunity to win them!

[amanda]

is it too late to enter? i'm in australia and it's the 16th here!!

[GayleV]

These actions look great!! Thanks Shutter Sisters for a great giveaway!! Much love!

[Tracy Sutherland]

I don't have photoshop but I DO have Lightroom. These look like lots of fun!

[Marla]

I've been wanting TRA actions for a LONG time. I don't have LR, but this may push me into a new purchase . .. .

[Jeremy Ellsworth]

I think TRA is amazing!!! I don't know how they do it but everything they do is AWESOME!!!! Would love to win the actions. :) Thanks for offering!

[Andrea]

I am new to the actions game and I am having so much fun playing around. Thanks for introducing me to such a fun set!

[Kelly]

I just started using the Pioneer Woman actions for PSE and am in love! Would love to try some new ones out and play around with my photos a bit more!

[Melissa]

a-mazing! didn't know such fabulousness existed! would love to give them a whirl.
x

[Corryn]

Fantastic idea! I have had my eye on TRA for a while now. I have used actions in the past, but from what I have seen, the products offered by Totally Rad Actions are by far my favorite. I would love to try them out!

[Sunny Wright]

Ummm.....sweeeeeet!!!! Thanks for the chancers!

[Glenda]

Thank you for sharing how much you enjoy TR actions. I have been looked them over a few times and because of the cost have put them on proverbial "wishlist". I think I will have to move them farther up the list now :-)

[TaSh]

I love TRA!!!
What a fun image!

[Drager]

Most actions suck and are overused to compensate for bad photography in the first place.
Love Totally Rad stuff.

[April W]

I could sure use these! Thanks for the giveaway.

[Noelle Bell]

I love these actions! I have been using a few action sets from Andy Armstrong and Design House, but love what I'm seeing here! I think I've seen something on the pioneer woman's blog about them too. If you're choice is me, you will make my day!! :)

[Sabrina]

awesome!! thanks so much for the chance! :)

[dr lyn]

Oh boy. I have oogled their actions from afar for a long time... what fun it would be to have some!!

[Jade Sheldon]

I must admit, I'm pretty addicted to actions too!! Some of my favorites are Eye Candy Actions... I would love the opportunity to test these babies out!!!

[ariella]

love their site! Count me in!

[Chelsea]

I've heard only amazing things about these actions and presets! Would love to try them and quicken my work flow. Thanks for the amazing giveaway!

[Charisse]

What an awesome giveaway! I have been desiring Totally Rad actions for a while. However, the want list is high and the wallet is low, so here I still wait and hope to be a winner in a contest like this one. Unfortunely "lady luck" is rarely on my side. I know that whoever wins will be pretty pleased! Thanks for offering this!

[Lori]

I've been using their free actions and love them. I would love to have the entire set - wow! Great stuff.

[Janis]

I've been drooling over the actions at TRA for a very long time but just haven't been able to get myself to do it when I can figure things out with free ones with enough playing . . but I think I'm getting to the point where it's taking too long. I so want them!!

[Joanna]

Wow, the transformation looks AMAZING! TRA would definitely save a lot of pp time. Now, THAT would be TOTALLY RAD !!! :D

[Lauren]

I agree with you~Less is more. I Love actions, though. But, I haven't tried any from Totally Rad Actions yet.
I'd love to win them!!!

[Martha]

Something I would definately like to learn more about!

[rachael s]

hope its not too late to throw my name in!

[chesley]

I would love to have these!

[Marilyn]

I have been lusting after Totally Rad actions since the first time I found them!
Also, I love this web site. When I took photography in college almost 30 years ago, there were 12 men and only three women in my class. It's great to see so many women photographers now.

[Z Golez]

Have tried a couple of TRA actions and been really addicted to yin yang and pool party as well.. Are there any new ones?

[Hannah]

I have really enjoyed TRA's sample actions and have definitely been planning to get the full set when I can. I love Lux!

[Michele]

TRA ROCK!!!!!!!

[melody]

It's still today here and not tomorrow. Hope I'm not too late for a chance.

[anna]

I love actions. Just adore them. I'd love to win these ones! Thanks for the giveaway!

[Mary]

Love actions! Been looking at purchasing these.

[Karin Froom]

Looks great and I would love to try it out!

[Karen Daily]

I love playing with actions but still haven't found those perfect few that I can always go to. I'd love to win these!

[LindsayChavezPhoto]

I love TRA! My faves are Oh Snap and Lux! Can't live without those two! :)

[Margaret]

Great giveaway! I am just getting into photoshop and would love some actions!

[zizazzi]

Oh yes .. these action looks so good !!

[Claudia@ DipityRoad]

Here's crossing everything crossable for luck!

:) Thanks for always being inspiring.

Claudia

http://www.dipityroad.com

[golightly]

Oh My Gosh! Totally Rad Actions ARE SO RAD! I've been desiring some for a while. It's so true, less is more and Totally Rad has wonderful actions to quicken the post processing time and give a good image even more of a boost. crossing fingers.

[Amanda H]

Love TRA!!! They are amazing, I could always use more. :)

[kellie]

love the post-actions photo, looks great!

[June]

Oooh I've been coveting Totally Rad Actions for some time now. I also love using The Pioneer Woman's Actions!

[sarahelizabeth]

I am new to the whole actions/presets thing, but I am totally in love with them!