One fun thing about Lightroom is its ability to go from one editing extreme to another with a few quick clicks. Make sure to Watch Me Work in the Lightroom video tutorial below to see how we go from the “Before” image to the two after versions – a hazy look and a clean post processed look.  You will be shocked at how fast we edited this using the MCP Quick Click Collection.

On Wednesday, we showed you how to photograph perfect sunset silhouette photos. Once you get them out of your camera, editing them in Lightroom or Photoshop can make a huge difference.

The main goal when editing a sunset silhouette image is vibrancy.  Rich colors against a dark shadow. To achieve this look in Lightroom, you can use our Sunset Silhouette presets in the Quick Click Collection.

In a few quick clicks you will go from this – where you can see their clothing and where colors are washed out…

To this: Dark black silhouettes against vibrant colors.

Watch our Lightroom video tutorial to learn how to edit your silhouette images. To learn how to photograph the perfect silhouettes here.

I love collecting brushes for Photoshop.  I use them to create artistic effects with my photography.

Watch the video tutorial to learn how to use brushes to create your own, customized clipping masks in Photoshop/PSE collections.   Using these clipping masks, you can produce images with varying shapes, outlines, and photo densities – the perfect way for scrapbookers and photographers to create borders and frames for their images.   In addition, I will show you how to create artistic effects.

Use masks to transform the image above  into this:

The key principles in the lessons in this video are:

1) When creating a mask, create the mask as a separate layer from your background and your target photograph.

2) To create a clipping mask, place the mask  layer under your photograph, depress the ALT key on a PC (or option key on a Mac) and keep it depressed, and then click on the line separating the photograph and the mask.

3) Make sure your mask encompasses all of your important photographic elements that you want to emphasize.  Want to see more of your photograph?, Add to the mask.

4) Use the opacity slider on layers to vary your photographic effects and color bleed through.

5) The sky is the limit!  Using your own brushes, the combinations that are possible are endless.

Have fun putting your Photoshop brushes to some new uses!!

Heather VR, the guest blogger for this article, is a photographer with Little Black Dog Studio.

Photoshop Help: Get Your Layers & Layer Masks Working Flawlessly

So many photographers who are new to Photoshop have trouble understanding layers and layer masks. The layers palette intimidates them – and is the number one reason photographers are afraid of Photoshop.

Layers and masking, when explained correctly, really are simple.

Layers demystified:

Think of the layers palette as a stack of clear and opaque pages on top of your desk.  The desk (representing your original image) is the “Background.” Typically this is locked and does not change. If you want to make changes to your image in Photoshop, you stack those changes on top of the “desk” (your original) in the form of layers. Layers can be turned on or off as you edit, may be stacked, and each layer can be applied to part or all of the image.  Below are some, of the many, types of layers that exist in Photoshop. For more details, check out this guest article I wrote for Digital Photography School on Layers.

Pixel layers (AKA New Layer from Background – or Duplicate Layer of the Background): Some changes are done on pages that look like a photocopy.  If you duplicate your background image, you get a pixel layer that has the same properties as the original. When you make changes on this type of layer, often used in retouching with tools like the patch tool, you are working on the exact image below. The main difference is you keep the background in tact and you can adjust the opacity of this layer.  By default, it will be at 100%. But you can make changes and reduce the opacity so that some of the original image shows through. You can add layer masks to these types of layers.  The downside is that when they are set to normal blend mode at a high opacity, they will cover each other up. Picture a photocopy on white paper.  If you put it on top of a stack of clear sheets, it will hide them.

Adjustment layers: These are the most important type of layers. See my article “Why you should use layer masks and adjustment layers when editing in Photoshop” to learn why. Adjustment layers are transparent. They work like the clear acetate used in overhead projectors.  If you do not know what an overhead projector is, I just dated myself a bit… In any case, these layers apply a variety of changes to your image, from levels, to curves, to vibrancy or saturation, and much more. Each adjustment comes with a layer mask so that it can be selectively applied to the image if desired. Most MCP Photoshop actions are made of adjustment layers for maximum flexibility. You can not only mask with these but adjust the opacity as well.

New blank layers: A new blank layer works similarly to an adjustment layer in that it is transparent. You can use these in retouching with certain tools that allow you to use all layers below the blank layer. For example, you can use the healing brush on a blank layer. You can also add a watermark on a blank layer which allows you to move it around independently of the image itself. You can add masks manually to these layers too.  You can also add embellishments or paint on a blank layer. You can adjust the opacity for more flexibility.

Text layer: Fairly self explanatory. When you add text, it automatically goes onto a new layer. You can have multiple text layers in an image. You can adjust the opacity of the text layer and change the text at a later time, assuming your layers are in tact and not flattened.

Color fill layer: This type of layer adds a solid color layer to an image.  It comes with a built in mask to control where the color goes and you can alter the opacity. Often, in portrait photography and in Photoshop actions, these layers utilize a different blend mode, like soft light rather than normal, and are set to a low opacity to change the tones and feel of an image.

Layer masks: the key to understanding the “white and black boxes”

Once you understand how layers stack and work with each other, you can start working with layer masks. Here is video and tutorial on how to use layer masks in Photoshop CS-CS5+. Many of the lessons will also apply to Elements.

After watching and reading this, you may still feel like you are missing something. If you try using a mask and it does not work as expected, watch the video below.  If you are thinking “my actions do not work – nothing happens when I paint on the mask” our latest Photoshop video tutorial will help you become an expert masker!

Polish and Protect Your Images Using Photoshop Actions

When it comes to online presentation of photos, photographers often ask me “how can I protect my images for the web?” or “How can I make my photographs look great for the web.”

There are many different tools and Photoshop actions to help photographers quickly prepare photos with watermarks or logos, branding bars, and resizing and sharpening for the web. Remember any time you use these actions to first save a high resolution version of your image.

Here are some free photographer tools, actions and videos, to help prepare your photos for websites, blogs, Facebook and the Internet:

• MCP Actions High Definition Sharpening and Crystal Clear Web Resize actions. You can probably guess, the Crystal Clear Web Resize is the action you want to get internet ready photos. This action reduces the size and sharpens. Compatible with both Photoshop and Elements (PSE).
• MCP Facebook Fix Photoshop actions. If you use Facebook and are tired of grainy, under-saturated images, this is your solution. These include actions for optimizing single photos and double images that are side-by-side or top and bottom layouts – all are sized for the ideal 720px wide dimensions. There is an included web sharpening action and the Photoshop version converts your files to sRGB too.  Compatible with Photoshop and Elements (PSE).
• MCP Watermark action. The Gallery Frame and Watermark Photoshop actions help polish your images and protect them from copycats too. The watermark action actually has a few parts – first it helps you make a watermark brush. Then you run it to stamp the watermark in whatever customized size, color, and location you desire to deter theft of your images. Use these 1st and then run Crystal Clear Web Resize for the perfect quick, free web solution. Compatible with full Photoshop only.
• MCP Try Me” Blog It Board action. Combine 4 images into this perfect template.  It builds before your eyes and auto inserts your images. While fully functioning, the free version does not include all the branding options and bars you get in the full versions. Compatible with Photoshop and Elements (PSE).
• Photoshop Video Tutorial: How to Make Branding/Watermark Brush. Learn how to make a watermark brush in Photoshop.
• Photoshop Video Tutorial: How to Make a “Branding Bar.” Do you love color blocks and bars on the top, bottom or sides of your images?  You can do these without even using actions. Just a few quick clicks in Photoshop.

If you invest, you can get a lot more variety to polish and protect your images using Photoshop actions:

• Finish It Photoshop Actions. This is the most complete way to have control over your pictures for the web. To protect your photos, it includes watermark and logo insertion actions. To polish and give a finished look, these actions resize and sharpen for web, have have options to rounded corners and edges, add color blocks or branding bars, include a variety of frames and borders to give your photos a finished look.  Compatible with both Photoshop and Elements (PSE).

• Blog It Boards. For combining photos into a collage or storyboard, our original Blog It Boards are innovative and will shave lots of time on your preparation of images for the Internet. These come in the traditional rectangular shape and the rounded edge openings. These sets also include branding bars, logo insertion, and resizing and sharpening for web actions. If you want to see how these work, download the FREE “Try Me” Blog It Board. The Magic Blog It Boards work in Photoshop and Elements. The Rounded variety only works in full Photoshop at this time.

How to Use the FREE Photoshop Actions: Mini Fusion & TOL/TOD

If you love the word FREE and are wondering how to put it to good use, you can download the Free Photoshop actions, Mini Fusion and Touch of Light/Touch of Darkness from the MCP Actions Website. These actions are compatible with Photoshop (CS2 and up) and Elements (5 and up). The Mini Fusion action is a preview of the full Fusion set.  If you love Mini Fusion, you need MCP Fusion!

The video tutorial below will teach you how to use these actions in the Photoshop versions. They work similarly but not the same in Elements and I do not currently have a video for using these in PSE.

The Ultimate Guide to Installing Actions in Photoshop Elements: Troubleshooting Manual (© 2011, MCP Actions)

Installing actions into Photoshop Elements is not, as we all know, the easiest task. Many people think that learning how to use PSE is easier than installing actions, and that’s saying something.

Two absolute things about actions for Elements are:

• There is always a way to get the actions installed.
• There might be lots of roadblocks along the way.

Start by watching the appropriate installation videos for your version of Elements. There are two ways to install actions in Elements, the Photo Effects method and the Actions Player method. Most MCP Actions should be installed using the Photo Effects method, unless indicated in the included PDF.

Here are some of the most commonly encountered problems installing actions in Elements and their solutions.

1. Start here first. Look in the Photo Effects folder indicated in your installation instructions for your version of Elements and your operating system.  Does it have any folders in it?  Unless you have Elements 5, you should have no folders inside Photo Effects.
2. Elements will accept some folders in Photo Effects, but will stop working when you install “one too many.”  For optimal performance and speed, you should only have files that end in ATN, PNG, XML or thumbnail.JPG.  Delete or move any instructions, terms of use, or illustration files from Photo Effects.  Move any ATN, PNG or XML files from subfolders into Photo Effects, and delete or move the subfolders.
3. Rename Mediadatabase per the installation instructions, open Elements and check for your actions.

Some Common Issues and Solutions to Installing actions in Elements:

1 ) Elements crashes every time I open it after installing actions.

• Open Elements from Start/All Programs rather than the desktop shortcut.

• OR, reset PSE’s preferences when you open it. Do this by holding down control+alt+shift (Mac: Opt+Cmd+Shift) while opening Elements. Keep those keys depressed even if you have to click on the Edit button in the “Welcome” screen. Do not release the keys until you get a message asking if you want to delete the Preferences/Settings file. Say yes, and release the keys. Elements will open properly now.

2 ) After installing my actions, my new actions don’t appear in the Photo Effects palette.

• You need to reset the Mediadatabase.db3 file. The installation instructions that came with your action should tell you how to find it. If you rename Mediatadatabase.db3 to MediadatabaseOLD.db3, this hides the database from Elements. The next time it opens, it will build a new database. This rebuilding process is what imports your new actions. After Elements opens successfully with your new actions, you can return to this folder and see that Elements has, in fact, created a new Mediadatabase.db3. At this point, you can delete the file whose name you changed to OLD, because you no longer need it.

• One point about resetting this database – when opening PSE for the first time after resetting it, it can take a LONG time to open. Anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes. Even 30 in rare cases. Do not touch Elements, or even your computer, until Elements finishes processing. Wait until the hourglass cursor and progress message disappear. Even if Elements tells you it’s not responding, don’t touch it. It will respond, eventually.

What happens if you don’t wait? That brings me to my next topic:

3 ) After resetting Mediadatabase, all my other actions disappear.

• PSE was interrupted while rebuilding the Mediadatabase (see prior topic). If you close Elements because you think it’s “not responding,” Elements will open with an incomplete database and it will look like all you actions (including your old ones) have disappeared. To fix this, return the folder with Mediadatabase.db3 in it. Delete that file, and any “old” versions. Reopen Elements and walk away from your computer. Seriously. Don’t touch it until PSE is finished rebuilding, once and for all. If you let it complete its processing, all your actions will appear where they should appear.

4 ) I can’t find Photo Effects (Mac).

• When installing actions, start your navigation path on the Mac HD icon on your desktop or inside the Finder. Do not start in the path for your specific user account.

5 ) I can’t find Photo Effects (PC).

• Program DATA is not the same as Program FILES. Try your navigation path again.

6 ) I get messages like this:

Could not complete your request because the file is not compatible with this version of Photoshop.

Could not complete your request because there is not enough memory (RAM).

• You have installed a file into your photo effects folder that doesn’t belong there. The only file types that should be in Photo Effects are files that end in ATN, PNG , thumbnail.JPG, or XML. (In versions 5 and prior ONLY, you can have a psd file.) You should have no subfolders in Photoshop Effects (versions 6 and up). You receive those messages because you are clicking in the Effects palette on files that aren’t actions. Delete these files out of Photo Effects to end this message.

These messages could also be caused by thumbnails whose names are slightly different from the name of the action. See the “black boxes” topic below.

7 ) I get this message: The object “layer “Background” is not currently available.

You should run most actions on images that are flat – meaning that they only have one layer. This layer’s name should be background. If your image isn’t flat, flatten it by right clicking on a layer in the Layers palette and selecting “Flatten.”

8 ) I have black boxes in my Effects palette:

This could be caused by several items:

• You have installed an action that should be installed via the Action Player into the Effects palette. Check with the instructions that came from the maker of the action on where to install it.
• The maker of the action you are trying to install did not provide you with a thumbnail to install along with your action. This thumbnail is usually a PNG file. If you double click on actions of this type, they will run properly even without a thumbnail.
• The name of the PNG is not EXACTLY the same as the name of the ATN (action) file (except for the PNG or ATN suffix). Rename the PNG to the same name as the action to solve this issue.

Once you have your actions installed properly you may come across issues using them. Please read this article with 14 troubleshooting tips to get your PSE actions working properly.

After reading this document, if you still have technical concerns regarding installation or usage of MCP’s Elements actions, please contact us for assistance. Please give a detailed explanation of your issue, list of actions you’re installing, your operating system, your version of Elements, and include a copy of your receipt showing payment. MCP offers phone support for any actions you buy from our store.  We offer these technical guides and videos to support free Photoshop actions.

* This article may not be reposted or reproducted in whole or part without the consent of MCP Actions. If you wish to share this information, please link to it: http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2011/03/09/installing-actions-elements.

Facebook NOW allows High Res Downloads: Protect Yourself!

Facebook is a goldmine of social networking for photographers. When used efficiently, Facebook can have an enormous impact on the growth and success of your photography business.  Facebook is a great resource for marketing, learning, and inspiration. It allows photographers from all over the world to connect and share.

For all its upsides, one downside is lack of control. When you publish information on your own website or blog, your control the content and appearance.  When you use a social networking platform, such as Facebook, you are powerless as they make changes to the interface, functionality, or terms of use.  For example, Facebook had a “Suggest to Friends” area. People designed profile images that depended on it, with bold arrows saying “If you like our page, please suggest it to your friends.” And then, one day, “poof.” It disappeared.

Facebook constantly changes the dimensions for apps, and when they went from 760px wide to 720 pixel wide last year, it literally messed up the appearance of custom Facebook Pages. While I assume they consult with advisers before making big changes, I am clearly not one of them.  Facebook causes frustration to the masses as they implement new changes. It seems they try to fix things that were not broken to begin with.

One of the latest changes, with a HUGE impact on photographers, is the ability to download high-resolution images. For non-photographers, this is a great feature. After a party, users can share their high-res point and shoot images with relatives and friends.  Great tool, right?  For a professional photographer, this is a disaster.  When you upload your images for a sneak peek, you want customers sharing them online with friends.  Typically, you do not want them to download and print from this version. There is a way to stop it!

People can only download what is uploaded. If you upload re-sized images, and your customer excitedly selects “download in high-resolution,” they still only have the file you placed on Facebook.  A 600×900 pixel wide image at 72ppi, it is low-resolution. Facebook does not have the ability to make that a true high-res image. Also, when sharing images online, add a watermark to further protect them.

While this does mean more work for photographers, MCP Actions has an easy solution. Just visit us on Facebook and go to the “Free Actions” tab. We have a series of Free Photoshop actions for photographers who use Photoshop or Elements (PSE). This set includes resizing, sharpening, and watermarking tools.  Plus it has a side-by-side diptic layout and a top and bottom layout, perfect for sharing two images, or showing off your before and after images edited with MCP’s other Photoshop actions. I would appreciate you sharing this blog post with all of your photographer friends on Facebook and on photo forums, so that they protect themselves from the “high-res” situation.

*** I may just be psychic….  Hours after writing the above article, Facebook rolled out a new layout.  Tabs are no longer located at the top of the screen – they are under the profile picture.  The profile is smaller now, instead of 200x600px, it is 180x540px.  The good news is that it remains the same aspect ratio.  You now can comment on pages with your page name, but your feeds and wall are not organized by most recent posts.  Basically what you knew as Facebook has changed…  Literally right after I posted the article above…

MCP Actions is changing the way you interact on Facebook.

To enter our contest:

1. Visit our MCP Experience Facebook Page.
2. Click the Share Button on your favorite page and share with your friends.
3. Come back to this blog post (not on Facebook) and tell us your favorite feature – the one you “shared.”
4. Get an extra entry if you “suggest to friends” on the left side of the page – and recommend MCP to at least 8 photographers. Add a comment if you do this.

What you can win:

1. One person will win a $100 gift certificate to use toward the purchase of Photoshop actions at the MCP Actions Store.
2. One person will win a $50 gift certificate
3. One person will win a $25 gift certificate

How to see if you won:

Winner will be announced at 8pm eastern time, Sunday Nov. 21st on the Facebook {MCP|LIVE} Chat section. Check in then to see if you won. Winners will be posted for 72 hours, and have that time to contact me to redeem their prizes.

Wondering what the MCP Facebook Experience is about? Come check it out!

• It’s a more than just a Facebook landing page – it’s an experience!
• Join in active conversations on hot photography topics
• View the most popular past discussions from the MCP Actions Wall
• Watch Photoshop video tutorials
• View featured fan photos – and even have a chance for your work and business to be”featured” by submitting before and after images to the MCP Wall.
• Vote for your favorite before and after images
• Watch MCP Live! See my screen, hear my voice and/or chat with me about Photoshop.
• Download exclusive Free Photoshop and PSE actions

FREE ~ FREE ~ FREE Photoshop Actions

If you upload photos to Facebook or the Web, you will want to download the Free MCP Facebook Fix Photoshop and PSE action set, exclusively at: http://facebook.com/mcpfans.

This set includes 4 powerful Photoshop actions to resize, sharpen, watermark and brand your images for Facebook or the Web. Whether you are displaying before and after examples, two side by side, or just single photos, they will look better and protect your photos instantly.

Perfect for sharing your photos on the MCP Wall for entry into the “Featured Fan Photo section.”

Photos and logo auto inserts and the frame can be changed from white, shown here, to any color in seconds. This is the easiest way to share photos, and especially before and after images, on Facebook.

These actions can be used for Websites, Flickr, and elsewhere on the Internet, but are sized at 720 wide for the best possible Facebook viewing.

And lastly… for those asking how I did it… Remember how I said I feel strongly that you should outsource things you do not like to do or things where you lack skills? Well, that is exactly what I did. Links to my two amazing developers are on the Facebook page. Please visit them and see what they can do for your FB presence.

FREE Photoshop Card Templates for Thanksgiving and Holidays + Digital Paper Pack + Free Alphabet Letters

MCP Actions, in conjunction with Angie from Photo Card Boutique, are excited to give you an amazing FREE gift package for the Holiday Season! These templates, digital papers and letters are compatible with Photoshop and Elements! In exchange for downloading, all we ask is that you please share this download by linking to this post on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or any photo forum – we want as many photographers downloading this exciting giveaway as possible.

You special exclusive FREE Photoshop Templates, Papers, and Glitter Alphabet include:

• One – 5×7 Thanksgiving 2-Sided Photo Card Template: Fully adjustable,Photoshop file so you can change the card, text and design. “Blessing” comes off so it can be used for any Thanksgiving pictures.
• 6 beautifully designed digital papers (12×12″ at 300 res): Use these with the photo card to change the look – or use them with the MCP Rounded Storyboard Templates (Rounded Blog It Boards & Print It Boards)
• 4 Holiday/Christmas Photo Card Templates: Includes three 2-sided 5×7 templates, one 5×5 photo template – 3 of the designs can be used in the new Millers Luxe card sizes! All can be used without the die-cut layers at any printer, and used as single or double-sided cards.
• 26 digital glitter letters: A full alphabet that can be used to customize the Holiday Cards – you can use the card for Christmas, Happy Holidays, Hanukkah or just about anything you desire.
• Free Video Tutorials showing you how to customize the cards, add in your images, and more…

Remember that when you purchase $5 or more from Photo Card Boutique by November 30th, using the code “mcp-actions” at checkout – you will get a $5 reward gift card good toward a future purchase at her store.

Please click the images below to download each set.

Thanksgiving Photo Card

Thanksgiving Digital Paper Set

4 Flat & Die Cut Holiday Card/Christmas Photo Card Set

Holiday Glitter Alphabet with all 26 letters – customize your cards for Christmas, Holidays, Hanukkah and more.

Video tutorial on how to insert photos into card templates using clipping masks:

Video tutorial on how to change papers in the card templates – using digital papers to customize cards: