In the spirit of the name of our little community, I was wondering if anyone had any *free* actions to share that do some of this cool stuff. I know there's stuff out there that you can buy... which I'm sure I will do eventually. Considering getting the lomo effect since it's only like 18 bucks. <p> Anyway, I also want to hear what everyone's take is on photoshop and effects... Do you take the approach that if they can't see it then you did it right (subtle corrections and modifications) or do you let loose and do whatever you like. <p> I really like the look the lomo effect gives... but I wonder how easy it is to overdo this kind of stuff... what are you hearing from clients? I know I've heard more than one client say they hated spot coloring (I'm not a huge fan either). I do like reduced saturation, vignettes, deep blue skies.. etc. <p> So post what you like and if you're feeling generous post how it's done or share those actions! <p>
*Note: I am more referring to actions or methods that people have come up with on their own that they are feeling generous enough to share with everyone. Obviously sharing copyrighted work of others without their consent (or paying them) is not a good thing. <p> I'm still fairly green when it comes to photoshop and trying to learn all this stuff on my own is driving me nuts! <p>
<IMG SRC="http://members.cox.net/frapsvideo/anger.gif">

OH WOW! MORBID!

I just found that guy and thought he was funny... lol

Hi!
I like Lomo a lot. It is over used but who cares! Only the trained eye notices I think. Side note: I go to the knot a lot and look at knottie's bio, trust me, I think this statement is true. Nathan and Amber have an old lomo posted somewhere on this forum. I have used that one. Just just make your own action on the settings they have posted.
I use vingette a lot. However I have not found an action that I like yet. I want and action not a script. I hate the Nix filter's. Kubota's I can't figure out. Maybe I will re-approach. So if anyone has a double vingrette ACTION. PLEASE give it to me!!! Or tell me how to make one.
I used dave's midnight sepia sometimes but it messes up my file names a lot for whatever reason... I primary use LOMO and kubota's artistic set. I just use a combo.
There is a web-site with A LOT of free actions:
Action Central
There ya go, have a field day!!!!!! Lomo is soooooo worth the $18. Best $18 you will ever spend.
~Alisha

Thanks Alisha that's exactly what I was looking for! I'm such a n00b when it comes to photoshop! So here's a n00b question for you... what's the easiest way to apply a vignette without using an action? I've got a few actions that I cant figure out either... Oh well, I have a few books I'm going through to learn it all.. it just seems endless...

wow... looking at that website I'm not going to be getting much sleep tonight! Thanks again

That's just it I can't find an easy way to do it. I mean with no actions, I guess you can just burn the edges. There is a way to do this, I used to know but it was so dang complicated I quit doing it. You do a layer on oval and change the color to black or something like that? I don't remember only did it once and was screw this.
~Alisha

ha I warned you.
~Alisha

Yeah I've played with burning the edges.. and messing with the omni lighting effect to get a similar look... and creating gradient fill layers and painting them in.. but they look "fake" Looks like Lomo might get my money after all These other actions on that site are really cool though. Found that midnight sepia one I've heard about... ok.. time to go play!

1. Open Photo
2. Duplicate the layer
3. Using the marqee tool (Oval) and create a circle based on the size you want the vignette to be.
4. Go to the Select menu and click on "Inverse"
5. Click the "Mask" icon at the bottom of the layers pallet. (The Box with the circle in it).
6. Your layer will now have 2 parts. Click on the left part of the layer to select the image not the Mask.
7. Press the letter "X" to set your background to black. (Or select whatever color you want to use)
8. Press Option Delete - This will fill your mask with black or the color you choose.
9. Under the Filters Menu - Select Blur>Gaussian Blur - Set the radius to 250

There you have it. You can reduce the opacity in your layer or reduce the gaussian radius to alter the effect.

i do something similar to alan, but I use a curves adjustment layer and work my white point, mid,and black down a bit. then if I want more/less I can just adj that curves layer.

Alisha -

As far as I know there is no way to create an ACTION that can vignette any image of any resolution and dimension. You can create specific actions for specific image sizes, but not one that handles all image sizes.

A SCRIPT can be written to vignette any image perfectly every time! With enough interest I may be able to be coaxed into creating a vignette script. We all just have to agree on the best method to vignette an image.

I have created my own action with the same similar approach, using level or contrast/brightness to darken the outer corners.

But I could use some help with figuring out how to transform the selection so it would fit the horizontal & vertical image. Right now I always have to manually readjust the transformation to do so. Is there a way to make the transformation fit just the whole image, independent of vertical or horizontal orientation!

This would be a great help & thanks for sharing!

Rose
LionPhotography.com

Everybody needs to download the Midnight Sepia action!!!!! It rocks!!!! Below are a couple of samples from a bridal session that I used the action on....

Sold!
Midnight Sepia action
Where do we down load it Nathan?
I love that effect.

L.

I think it is a Nik effect?
Interesting Nathan, I thought those were two of my favorites from your slide show.
Monday Morning is nice too. It either works or doesn't work though, no middle ground.

The version of Midnight Sepia that i used can be found at the link that Alisha posted! Sorry I didn't clarify!

Thanks Nathan Got it..
L.