Getting Vivid Color Pop & Contrast With Photoshop Actions
December 03, 2010 | 1 Comment |Add a comment
This Photoshop actions Blueprint Fan Share was submitted by Kattrina Holt of Sassafrass Photography, who loves vibrant color pop and contrast in her images.
Her step-by-step Blueprint:
- I opened the image in Lightroom 2 and warmed it up
- Then I opened it in Photoshop CS5 and used the MCP action set Bag of Tricks.
- I started with the Magical Color Finder (vivid) brush action – opacity set to 42% and applied this to the entire image except for the hair and skin.
- Then I quickly ran the Magical Clarity action at the default to add definition in the midtones, Magical Contrast at 32% for middle contrast and 50% for low contrast, and Magical Midtone Lifter at the default to brighten the photo.
- To help warm up the skin tone, I used Skin Cast Blast and turned on the Bye Bye Blueberry layer, which is part of the Magic Skin Retouching actions. And to lightly smooth the skin, I used Powder your Nose – on chin, neck, and legs- 24%
- To finish the retouching I used the Eye Doctor – this Photoshop action sharpens and lightens eyes, and brings out the catchlights.
- To add a finishing touch to the image, I used the Free Photoshop action, touch of light, touch of darkness – just used the darkness layer with my brush at 30%, and went over the jacket, skirt, hat and shirt, and the background.
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I use those same actions in much the same way on a lot of my pictures. Bag of Tricks is my favorite!