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jols
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15-05-11, 08:21 AM
#1

A debate on downloaded actions.

As some of you may of read in I was interested in how to download and insert an action into photoshop ready for use.

As I am not very good at photoshop I was very pleased with myself at working it out.

I now have numerous actions from http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/ downloaded and ready.

I have posted some pics up for comment as I have having a very good time with all the different effects.

Now for the question do you think it is cheating?

The reason I ask is because none of it is my own work just the original shot, I have been reading about actions this morning and the general opinion is that you cannot make a bad photo good by putting an action on it.

So do you agree that the photo has to be good in the first place to make the action work?
LENSBABY


     
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15-05-11, 10:54 AM
#2

Re: A debate on downloaded actions.

Don't agree that it's cheating. Almost anything you do in Photoshop can be saved as an action so you could say that just using Photoshop is cheating. A "bad" photo can be made more interesting and a good one even better. I think of it as just a tool. Here's an example on your "as shot" image. Some may like it, some may not.
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View my profile to see my other kit!


     
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15-05-11, 11:35 AM
#3

Re: A debate on downloaded actions.

^^^^^^^

+1
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15-05-11, 04:10 PM
#4

Re: A debate on downloaded actions.

They are tools like everything else, imo
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15-05-11, 04:14 PM
#5

Re: A debate on downloaded actions.

A bad shot is a bad shot, you can't polish a turd Though you can help an okayish shot to look a little better, but better to get a good shot and improve that.

My thoughts on Actions are, if you are just going to download, and then click the button, and just use it as is, then it probably won't look that good, as most actions don't work perfect on all pictures, you need to tweak each layer, to make the picture your own, otherwise you end up with loads of togs with identikit images Personally, I prefer to make my own, and apart from a web ready and a blog ready one, don't really use them much, though they are extremely useful when processing batches of photos, that all have the same requirements.

My advice is, if you want to use actions,learn to make your own, I'm sure I did a tutorial about it, ages ago, if you do use someone elses, make sure you tweak each layer, otherwise you can lose detail in faces for example, end up with odd looking skin, etc.


     
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15-05-11, 05:03 PM
#6

Re: A debate on downloaded actions.

I agree with Azz and Niko [i like your edit by the way]

It is just a tool and you can make your own or use someone elses as long as it works for you its all good.

And no one would know if I made my own or used someone elses
LENSBABY


     
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15-05-11, 05:11 PM
#7

Re: A debate on downloaded actions.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jols View Post
I agree with Azz and Niko [i like your edit by the way]

It is just a tool and you can make your own or use someone elses as long as it works for you its all good.

And no one would know if I made my own or used someone elses
LOL, of course no one would know, I just meant, you can customise an Action, and make it work better for your style if you can do your own, nothing wrong with downloading them either, just tweak them, as most actions won't work on every type of picture and subject


     
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15-05-11, 05:13 PM
#8

Re: A debate on downloaded actions.



It would be my little secret.
LENSBABY


     
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