By Art P Suwansang
We can all agree there is one program that universally speaks to photographers and it is one that we have come to love over the past 20 years—Photoshop. It is the program that created and transformed the art of digital manipulation. Through the use of tools and functions built into Photoshop such as layering, blending and masking, we can now alter our images in ways that were not possible or easily done with the analog process. Learning and using all these tools effectively to achieve the desired effects can be time consuming and occasionally frustrating, especially if you are on a deadline or if you are new to the program. However, various products have come on the market to enrich the Photoshop experience and provide you with dependable results.
Background
Most of the effects applied to any images are simply lists of processes outlining the tools that are used at any given step. Many photographers record these repeated procedures into automated adjustments using a function known as Actions in Photoshop. Similarly, in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Camera Raw these effects and quick enhancements are known as “Develop Presets,” for this article I’ll refer to them simply as “presets.” Photoshop Actions, however, can also be programmed to perform a group of tasks to any given image, such as change color, space, resize file, flatten file, save file, etc.
These actions and presets were developed as a way to quickly apply creative effects and enhancements to groups of images and achieve a consistent result every time. They were primarily created for use within the studio to quickly perform a repetitive task. Eventually, photographers, studios and companies that have developed their own selection of effects are making the proprietary collections available to the public. Currently, there are many choices for these actions and presets, so choosing the sets that best fit your photographic style, usage and needs, can be challenging.
I recently had the opportunity to sample and test some of the effects and tools developed by world-renowned wedding photographer Marcus Bell, who owns and operates Studio Impressions, a tremendously successful wedding and portrait studio in Brisbane, Australia. Bell’s studio has been perfecting digital workflow techniques in Photoshop over the last 10 years and has made available to photographers, in volumes and collections, the digital tools he has been applying to his own award-winning work. For this review, I’ll focus on two of the products available from Studio Impressions that feature presets and actions for use with Lightroom and Photoshop.
Instant Effects—Presets
The preset collection for Lightroom and Photoshop is called Instant Effects; it comes in two volumes that work with both host programs. Each of these volumes contains over 40 presets, which provides plenty of great choices for your artistic senses to direct the results. Some of the presets that stand out in Instant Effects, Volume 1 are: “Whizz Fizz Silky,” strongly resembling the “silky” appeal or “washed out” look of an SX-70 instant Polaroid image from the 1970s; “Lime & Soda,” which desaturates the image and gives it a slightly noticeable green cast. It also includes a few black-and-white infrared film effects, which I really liked, most notably is the “Infrared Shimmer,” that imitates the look of a black-and-white infrared file and gives off a natural glow to the skin tonality. The results of these presets can be seen below in figures 1a–1d.
Three effects that I enjoyed sampling in Instant Effects, Volume 2, can be seen in figure 2a-d. The preset “Martini Dry” gives the image an analog processed-look that has the hands-on feel of bleaching an image through a non-digital technique; the image stays warm and bright. “Infrared Selenium” is another one that resembles the look of a black-and-white infrared film but with a slight red hue color shift, softening the values while emphasizing the highlights. Finally, “Jazz Envy” lowers the saturation of local color and adds a green shift to the shadows creating a “fading memory” appeal to the image without losing definition of the focal point.
Additional Thoughts on Instant Effects
Each set, available as a download or on disk, has enough variety of effects to keep you occupied for sometime as you sample the different results. With every preset there are many that will look good instantaneously on any type of image and there are those which will only look great on the “right image.” Applying these presets alone will not necessarily produce an immediate masterpiece, as always you need to start with an image that will respond to enrichment. Further adjustments should be made to the file for extra refinement to achieve the proper look and feel, whether it is exposure, contrast, fill light, etc. I also suggest that you use the localized adjustment brush as well to center the viewer’s attention to the main subject in the image. Generally, an adjustment brush with a slight increase in brightness will do just fine; see before and after in figure 3.
Photoshop Actions
Presets are great ways to enhance and transform our RAW images in a short amount of time. However, there are functions and features that Lightroom and Camera RAW are not capable of yet such as layering and blending modes. This is where Photoshop comes in. Additionally, with the use of Actions, photographers can now apply consistently stunning effects to an image in a short amount of time. This leads us to the sets of Photoshop Actions available from Bell and Studio Impressions, these include: Automatic Actions, Essential Actions and Image Styler.
All three of Bell’s Actions contain different effects and tasks for the images. Automatic Actions is designed primarily as a one-click to finish the effects application tool, which requires very little or no input from the user. This set of Actions would mostly benefit those at the beginner’s level; they can enjoy the full benefit of the effects without the need to have an extended knowledge of Photoshop. Additionally, beginners can also learn about Photoshop while applying the action, as they are played out step-by-step on the screen.
Both Essential Actions and Image Styler are geared for the intermediate to advanced Photoshop user. Essential Actions are not necessarily a compilation of effects, but rather a set of quick basic tasks that you would perform on a file. The set includes a wide range of tasks from general file management, such as rotating, flattening, saving and closing files through softening, and applying various black-and-white or sepia treatments to an image. Image Styler is the set of actions that allows full creative control over the look and feel of the effects applied to an image. All of the effects on Image Styler are applied to the image via layers and masks. This enables you to change the opacity and/or blend mode to globally modify the effects of each layer or perform a localized adjustment, using the brush tool, and painting in effects on the layer masks; samples can be seen in figure 4 and 5.
Actions Benefit
From my own sampling, I found that many of the Essential Action tools enabled me to work faster in Photoshop. Using the Essential Action and Image Styler in combination, I was provided with a large amount of creative adjustments and effects with which to make discerning choices. In addition, all of these actions can be customized, with a little knowledge of Photoshop, creating even more powerful effects that offer a totally unique look for your images. Bell’s premise in creating these tools is that the photographer should be able to maintain artistic control over the final result while producing a style that is unique to the user and repeatable to retain one’s artistic signature on the continued outcome.
Marcus Bell and Studio Impressions have recently made available a third volume of Instant Effects; sets are available separately or in collections. Bell also offers a volume of Instant Tools to complete the adjustment and refinement capabilities that may be required. Check out the Studio Impressions Web site www.photographersresources.com to find the full range of products offered and while you are there take some time to browse through the work by Marcus Bell to see the “real-time” results he has achieved with the same actions and presets available in Instant Effects. Actions and presets used with Photoshop give you the ability to take your photographic images to a new level of artistic expression that can bring a distinct uniqueness to your personal style.
Art Suwansang is an award winning international wedding photographer, educator and lecturer based in Southern California www.Wedding64.com. He lectures for multiple photographic organizations, consult for multiple photographers & companies internationally and offer digital photography tutorials through his new website Rule of 3Rds www.Ro3Rds.com. Additionally, he is also an adjunct faculty at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara and Santa Monica City College. For more information, visit Art’s Web site at www.Wedding64.com
6,978 comments
healthy ways to lose weight fast says:
January 10, 2013 at 1:11 am (UTC -4)
healthy ways to lose weight fast…
[...]usually posts some really interesting stuff like this. If you?re new to this site[...]…
handmade sterling silver jewelry says:
January 10, 2013 at 2:50 am (UTC -4)
handmade sterling silver jewelry…
[...]just beneath, are numerous entirely not associated sites to ours, nevertheless, they’re surely worth going over[...]…
paleolithic diet recipes says:
January 10, 2013 at 2:54 am (UTC -4)
paleolithic diet recipes…
[...]here are some links to websites that we link to because we assume they’re worth visiting[...]…
event study stata says:
January 10, 2013 at 4:17 am (UTC -4)
The Silent Shard…
This can in all probability be rather handy for some of one’s work opportunities I intend to will not only with my blog site but…
riboside says:
January 10, 2013 at 4:21 am (UTC -4)
riboside…
Useful information. Fortunate me I found your web site accidentally, and I’m stunned why this twist of fate did not took place in advance! I bookmarked it….
Huanni Lida says:
January 10, 2013 at 4:29 am (UTC -4)
Huanni Lida…
[...]check beneath, are some entirely unrelated web sites to ours, having said that, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
getting rid of wrinkles says:
January 10, 2013 at 4:52 am (UTC -4)
getting rid of wrinkles…
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]…
electrical contractor ct says:
January 10, 2013 at 5:42 am (UTC -4)
electrical contractor ct…
[...]below you?ll find the link to some web pages that we assume you’ll want to visit[...]…
zinc says:
January 10, 2013 at 7:22 am (UTC -4)
zinc…
[...]below you?ll locate the link to some web sites that we feel you’ll want to visit[...]…
calm magnesium says:
January 10, 2013 at 7:29 am (UTC -4)
calm magnesium…
[...]one of our visitors not too long ago advised the following website[...]…
ghrp-2 results says:
January 10, 2013 at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
ghrp-2 results…
I was just looking for this info for a while. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative websites in top of the list. Usually the top …
Internetagentur Hamburg says:
January 10, 2013 at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Internetagentur Hamburg…
[...]very handful of web-sites that come about to become comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely worth checking out[...]…
magic-inbox says:
January 10, 2013 at 3:09 pm (UTC -4)
magic-inbox…
[...]please go to the web-sites we comply with, such as this 1, because it represents our picks through the web[...]…
comparing software cell phone says:
January 10, 2013 at 4:25 pm (UTC -4)
comparing software cell phone…
[...]check below, are some absolutely unrelated websites to ours, nonetheless, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
pay per download website says:
January 10, 2013 at 6:50 pm (UTC -4)
…Trackback: More Informations on that topic…
[...]Wow, incredible blog format! How long have you been blogging for?[...]…
family attorneys mn says:
January 10, 2013 at 9:15 pm (UTC -4)
family attorneys mn…
Thanks for your content. One other thing is when you are promoting your property by yourself, one of the challenges you need to be alert to upfront is just how to deal with household inspection reviews. As a FSBO home owner, the key towards successfull…
family attorneys mn says:
January 11, 2013 at 2:00 am (UTC -4)
family attorneys mn…
I am often to running a blog and i really respect your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for brand new information….
family lawyers mn says:
January 11, 2013 at 2:18 am (UTC -4)
family lawyers mn…
Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be …
family law attorneys mn says:
January 11, 2013 at 5:19 am (UTC -4)
family law attorneys mn…
There are definitely numerous details like that to take into consideration. That may be a great level to carry up. I provide the ideas above as common inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you convey up where the most import…
personal finance says:
January 11, 2013 at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
personal finance…
[...]usually posts some really fascinating stuff like this. If you are new to this site[...]…
lowering cholesterol says:
January 11, 2013 at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
lowering cholesterol…
[...]usually posts some really fascinating stuff like this. If you?re new to this site[...]…
my latest blog post says:
January 11, 2013 at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
my latest blog post…
[...]we like to honor lots of other online internet sites on the net, even if they arent linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]…
valid rank says:
January 11, 2013 at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
valid rank I was obtaining difficulty not thinking of some firm opportunities, so I began trying to find some unusual blogs. I enjoyed your blog and it helped me relax….
I was obtaining difficulty not thinking of some firm opportunities, so I began trying to find some unusual blogs. I enjoyed your blog and it helped me relax….
Acer Laptop Battery says:
January 11, 2013 at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
Acer Laptop Battery…
[...]Every once inside a even though we choose blogs that we study. Listed beneath are the most recent internet sites that we pick out [...]…
continue reading this says:
January 11, 2013 at 5:05 pm (UTC -4)
continue reading this…
[...]that is the finish of this write-up. Right here you will discover some sites that we feel you will appreciate, just click the links over[...]…
the full report says:
January 11, 2013 at 5:47 pm (UTC -4)
the full report…
[...]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we really feel they may be essentially worth a go by means of, so have a look[...]…
Home business says:
January 11, 2013 at 6:06 pm (UTC -4)
Home business…
[...]very handful of web-sites that transpire to be comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly really worth checking out[...]…
web chatter says:
January 11, 2013 at 7:15 pm (UTC -4)
web chatter…
[...]The facts mentioned inside the post are a few of the most beneficial available [...]…
Id card holder lanyard says:
January 11, 2013 at 10:00 pm (UTC -4)
Id card holder lanyard…
[...]that may be the end of this post. Here you?ll uncover some internet sites that we consider you will appreciate, just click the links over[...]…
restaurante macapá says:
January 11, 2013 at 10:21 pm (UTC -4)
restaurante macapá…
[...]here are some hyperlinks to web-sites that we link to mainly because we consider they are worth visiting[...]…
Fahne Brasilien says:
January 11, 2013 at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
Fahne Brasilien…
[...]although sites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we really feel they’re truly worth a go via, so have a look[...]…
cheap Barcelona jersey says:
January 11, 2013 at 11:07 pm (UTC -4)
cheap Barcelona jersey…
[...]Every after inside a though we opt for blogs that we read. Listed beneath are the most up-to-date web pages that we decide on [...]…
lawyers in minneapolis says:
January 11, 2013 at 11:18 pm (UTC -4)
lawyers in minneapolis…
I would like to add when you do not surely have an insurance policy or you do not form part of any group insurance, you will well reap the benefits of seeking the assistance of a health agent. Self-employed or those that have medical conditions normall…
made my day says:
January 12, 2013 at 3:26 am (UTC -4)
made my day…
[...]Here are a number of the web-sites we suggest for our visitors[...]…
free local advertising says:
January 12, 2013 at 4:35 am (UTC -4)
free local advertising…
[...]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[...]…
Miami video production says:
January 12, 2013 at 5:46 am (UTC -4)
Miami video production…
[...]please pay a visit to the internet sites we adhere to, such as this a single, as it represents our picks from the web[...]…
check out the story says:
January 12, 2013 at 6:40 am (UTC -4)
check out the story…
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]…
homes for sale Indianapolis says:
January 12, 2013 at 7:48 am (UTC -4)
homes for sale Indianapolis…
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?…
how to do accounting says:
January 12, 2013 at 8:37 am (UTC -4)
them offer sound advice. i encourage you…
to learn more about it so that you can start profiting from it starting right away.blogger and wordpress are the 2 most popular, and you should try out both to see which one you’re most comfortable with. they both can get…
see page says:
January 12, 2013 at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
see page…
[...]we like to honor a lot of other online sites around the internet, even if they arent linked to us, by linking to them. Beneath are some webpages really worth checking out[...]…
click here says:
January 12, 2013 at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
click here…
[...]Here are several of the internet sites we advise for our visitors[...]…
homes for sale Indianapolis says:
January 12, 2013 at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
homes for sale Indianapolis…
One thing I would really like to comment on is that weightloss system fast can be performed by the appropriate diet and exercise. Ones size not just affects appearance, but also the overall quality of life. Self-esteem, depression, health risks, and al…
smith brothers appliance repair reviews in whittier ca says:
January 12, 2013 at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
smith brothers appliance repair reviews in whittier ca…
[...]just beneath, are various entirely not associated web pages to ours, nonetheless, they may be surely really worth going over[...]…
cab business cards says:
January 12, 2013 at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
cab business cards…
[...]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated data, nonetheless actually worth taking a look, whoa did 1 discover about Mid East has got far more problerms as well [...]…
youtube.com/watch?v=4nuf4Wb0ziA says:
January 12, 2013 at 7:35 pm (UTC -4)
youtube.com/watch?v=4nuf4Wb0ziA…
[...]usually posts some incredibly interesting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[...]…
smith brothers appliance repair says:
January 12, 2013 at 10:41 pm (UTC -4)
smith brothers appliance repair…
[...]usually posts some incredibly intriguing stuff like this. If you?re new to this site[...]…
massage chair south Africa says:
January 12, 2013 at 10:51 pm (UTC -4)
massage chair south Africa…
[...]we came across a cool internet site that you might appreciate. Take a appear if you want[...]…
youtube.com/watch?v=RxIV2uXULU0 says:
January 12, 2013 at 11:30 pm (UTC -4)
youtube.com/watch?v=RxIV2uXULU0…
[...]Every once in a while we pick out blogs that we study. Listed below are the most current web pages that we pick out [...]…
homes for sale Indianapolis says:
January 13, 2013 at 2:49 am (UTC -4)
homes for sale Indianapolis…
Hey! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!…
my link here says:
January 13, 2013 at 2:54 am (UTC -4)
Related……
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[...]……
« Previous 1 ... 87 88 89 90 91 ... 140 Next »