One frequently asked question I get is “what exactly are Photoshop actions and how can they help me as a photographer?”

While there isn’t a universal definition, at MCP, I define them in a few ways. Photoshop actions:

• Are a series of recorded steps by the designer to help a photographer achieve a look without having to manually apply each process.
• Allow photographers, at the click of a button, to enhance and enrich their photos in a fast and efficient way.
• Are shortcuts for photographers.  They speed up editing by automating processes.

Adobe identifies actions by using the extension “.atn.”  Once he .atn file is loaded in the actions palette, as shown in this video on installing and using actions, the user selects and expands the “folder.”  Then after highlighting the desired action from that folder, the user clicks play and the photo runs through the series of recorded steps.

How can actions can help photographers? What are the advantages of using them?

• Speeds up workflow
• Saves time
• Provides the user with expertise of the action maker
• Achieves more consistent results by using the same actions on images
• Get a variety of looks by trying new actions
• Makes editing more fun
• They work cross platform, on both PC and Mac
• Customizable – tweak-able
• Easy to record your own steps once you have a good grasp on Photoshop
• By looking inside the action, you can often learn how to do things yourself in Photoshop.

How can actions hurt a photographer?

• If poorly made, results may not enhance images.
• Photographers can use too large a variety and get inconsistent results.
• Photographers may go on a buying spree.  If you own too many, it can waste time, not knowing which to use when.
• A photographer may develop their style from a look created from actions. The look could be a fad or make their photos look like many other photographers.
• Photographers can get in a rut where they rely too heavily on them and not enjoy on manual tweaks.
• If not built with layers and masks, it is difficult to adjust and customize.
• If a photographer does not learn to control and customize the results after the action runs, by using opacity and masking, results can be poor.
• If a photographer does not take the time to understand what the action is doing to the photo, they will not have full control over their photos.

Filters, plug-ins and scripts are often confused with actions. Filters and plug-ins are actually programs that run inside of Photoshop.  The are capable of certain things Photoshop isn’t since they are “mini” programs.  You can record an action to run a filter or plug-in in many situations, but you cannot always make an action that accomplishes what a plug in does.  With actions you are limited to Photoshop’s capabilities and what is recordable as an action. Scripts are often a more powerful version of actions, but they can be more temperamental between versions of Photoshop, and require different creation skills.

Hopefully this overview helps you better understand the good and bad of actions and how they can help you as a photographer.

Here are links to some Photoshop actions to get you started:

Free Photoshop actions

Automate how you prepare and presents photos on the web

Enhance your photos, pop colors, convert to black and white and establish a workflow

Retouch your images by smoothing skin, making colors more pleasing and helping eyes sparkle

Present your photos in storyboards and collages

How do you feel Photoshop actions help or hurt you as a photographer?  Please add your comments below.

What is a portrait photography fad?  A fad is something that has a short term boost in popularity. To me, a photography “fad” can be a pose, prop or style of photographing or editing that becomes extremely popular for an isolated period of time. While fads tend to be exceptionally popular for a short time, a trend has staying power. Sometimes something starts as a fad but ends up a trend. Occasionally it’s hard to determine whether something is fad or trend.

There are dozens of photo fads coming and going all the time.  Now, with social networking so prevalent, fads can occur fast and be more widespread. Think about photography forums, photography blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr.  When you visit these places, you see images of other photographers.  And chances are, no matter how original try to be, something may catch your eye.  You may get an idea. You may see a prop you like or see a pose that you want to try. You may be inspired to try new techniques, locations, lighting, or editing.  And through this inspiration, if enough are interested and influenced, a fad may evolve.

Many photography fads originate with props. At the moment, faux wood floorings (barnwood mats) are extremely popular. A few years ago, most infant photographers put babies in over-sized teacups. As far as editing and Photoshop, do you remember the popularity of sepia tones, hazy-edited images, over-edited eyes, intense glowing color, selective color, soft glow, heavy vignettes, heavy plastic skin smoothing, deep burning and dodging, and I could go on and on…

This post is NOT meant to make fun of the latest craze or recent fads. In fact, many of the included images are works of art.  As you look through the photos below, I suspect you may think some of the following thoughts:

• “I remember doing that.”
• “I still do that.”
• “I love that prop.”
• “I love that image.”
• “I want to try that.”
• “I cannot wait until my next session to do that.”
• “I wonder where I can find that… or how to do that.”
• “I cannot believe I did that.”
• “How did that become a fad?”
• “Why would anyone want to do that?”

You may look through some of these and realize you still do a certain technique or have a certain prop.  You may remember when you did.  You may feel embarrassed.  Or you may wonder why a photo made the list because you don’t think of it has a fad or trend, but more a staple of photography.  All of these thoughts and feelings are valid.

Photography fads are NOT bad. You may personally think some are, and that is fine too.  In many cases fads inspire. When a fad is done well it can actually result in a timeless heirloom photograph. You may look back and wonder why you every got swept up in a particular fad.  Trust me, I look back at my 80’s big hair, arms full of rubber bracelets, and neon clothing in that way.  But with photography, images create memories and capture a moment in time. You and your customers can still love them, trend, fad or not.

Thanks to all my contributors for sharing their images below.  These represent some of the fads and trends I have seen in the past few years. Some of these images make me want to go try a prop or location, even if they are or were a fad. Others, I may be less fond of.  But remember, for something to become a fad, lots and lots of photographers have to try it.

So when you look through these, what is going through your head? Be honest and add your comments.

Love them? Hate them? Which fads did you try? Are you now inspired?  Did they give you ideas? Which did you like or not like? What other fads have you seen come and go, not listed or shown here (I listed some Photoshop ones but did not have room for examples of these)? I know there are many fads that I did not include, so please share them and feel free to link to an image of yours that represents a fad. Which of these do you see as trends versus fads? Just because something is a fad, it does not make it forbidden. Many of these ideas were overused at one time, but used sparingly, may be a great addition to your work.  All things to consider and think about!

The big, bright lollipop * this may be the biggest one yet:

Photo courtesy of Amanda Andrews Photography

When editing in Photoshop, what is the best format to save photos in? Which makes the most sense for photographers?

To learn which file formats are best and which I use, check out my guest post on the Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School is the publisher of the Photo Nuts and Bolts book. If you are a beginner photographer, check out this excellent e-book.