How to Batch Process in Photoshop

Sometimes batch processing can be very useful! For example, today I needed to covert about a dozen images to black and white using the same action (it was soft & silky from Lolly's Playground - Ultimate Black & White). Here is how I batch processed my images using CS4.

1. First thing to know. You have to create a folder with only the images you want affected by the batch. I wanted to run a batch B&W action on a dozen images, so I created a new folder on my desktop and dragged those 12 images into my new folder. 

2. Now go into Photoshop... Go to FILE ----> AUTOMATE ---> BATCH... 

and a menu box will appear! 

3. Time to tell it what to do! In my case I wanted it to run out of my Favorite B&W file with in my actions palate, from there I wanted to run Lollys Soft & Silky (top left arrow). Now I need to choose the source. I already created the folder (named Batch BW) on my desk top so it was easy to find for me! Select the folder... 

4. It can take a while to process all the images, so now I highly suggest stepping away from the computer and making yourself a treat cause you did it! When I get back with my chocolate milkshake, I know I'll have a dozen beautiful B&W's! Did you know it could be that easy?

So when might you use batch processing? Watermarking, Converting to B&W, Resizing for Web, Base Sharpening and minor color adjustments. What have you used Batch Processing for? I actually very very rarely use batch processing, I just prefer to work on each image individually, and I sort of forget about it - however every once in a while it comes in very handy!

Technical Technicalities - Adobe Photoshop CS5

I {heart} Photoshop! I currently use CS4 and I definitely love it! I've heard it said that you shouldn't take a picture with, 'I'll fix it in Photoshop' going through your head. And I completely agree on a technical standpoint!! So yes, you need to be shooting at as perfect exposure / sharpness as possible but on a creative level, I shoot with the idea of how I'm going to use "or fix it" in Photoshop (to enhance the image) all the time!
Here is an example... I shot this image for a wedding last weekend. I knew the outcome I wanted but with the current surrounding it just wasn't possible. I obviously would not be asking the gentleman behind them to move nor could I change the fact that we are in fact in the middle of the city. But in my mind, I saw what I wanted, an image that showed them completely into each other with lines and shading that would lead the viewers eye directly to the couple and then follow the perimeter of the image and finally bring the eye back to the couple. And thanks to the magic of Photoshop, I knew that was very doable!

Okay, on to CS5...
So we've established that I'm a HUGE fan of Photoshop! My personal photography style wouldn't be possible without it. Now with the CS5 upgrade around the corner it's time to contemplate the switch up...


Rumors are flying about the release date for Adobe CS5.  Based on the Adobe store website, I'm seeing a tentative ship date for English language versions of mid-May 2010.  If you're thinking that CS4 was only just released, well it makes sense. Adobe Creative Suite has an 18 month release cycle, so you may be just feeling like you got the hang of CS4 and now you have to worry about a 5.

Luckily, you can do some research before you choose to upgrade or not via the Adobe Upgrade Information Page and of course you will (not available yet) be able to take CS5 for a trial spin as well. I'll let you know via twitter when the CS5 trials are available. Last, there is a great article by ProDesignTools.com on their top reasons you might want to upgrade.

This is a little video Adobe put out to show one of the new capabilities that CS5 will have. Looks pretty dang awesome! 

More Sneak Peak Videos:
www.crenk.com (5.23 minutes)
wwww.cs5launch.adobe.com (61.49 minutes)

And then there is also the controversy between Adobe and Apple right now... Geesh there are a lot of technical technicalities at the moment! All I can say is, I love Adobe (you gave me Photoshop) and I also love Apple. That perfect branding, marketing strategy, customer reactions approach, plus I love my iMac, iPhone, Macbook and so much more. So for creative souls everywhere who need Apple and Adobe, can't we please just get along... For the children?!

 

I used ONE {FREE} ACTION

I love when I find a simple solution to what would normally take me a lot of steps... I only ran one action on this image and love the pop princess affect it had! What did I use? Vintage from the FREE Pioneer Woman set. 

Steps:

Let it run completely. 

When it's finished you will get a grainy sepia look. 

Now click; Edit --> Step Backward or Cntrl, Alt, Z on a mac EIGHT TIMES. 

Last, just adjust the opacity to your liking. 

Are you really playing with your actions? I very often do not use mine as they were intended but make adjustments and play around to find what fits my personal style. Go play!

FREE DOWNLOAD - Mini Accordion Album (Spring)

Spring is right around the corner, and I can't wait! Landscapes will begin to fill in again and we photographers will get to enjoy using the beautiful backdrops that mother nature creates. In honor of spring time here is a new template for you to enjoy. This is a 3x3 square mini album that was created using the WHCC template. I thought it would be fun to have a little something new to share with clients and family for Easter, don't you? I plan to make up some of these to share with the Grandparents as a little Easter gift. 


Love the Pattern? It's all thanks to Terry at Sassy Designs so make sure to say thanks for donating  'Splashy' on behalf of this fun little project!

Please note this template is available for your use personally or to sell as a finished product to your photography clients. Please do not share, sell or "borrow" any parts of this template. 

Share the love. If you're excited about this template others probably will be too... So share a link on your blog, forums, facebook or via twitter and  make someone else's day brighter! If you share, leave a comment 

DOWNLOAD HERE


I know a few of you have had troubles downloading the mini album, Terry of Sassy Designs made this link to try to fix the problem! Thanks Terry!!

It is what it is. (And a tutorial for using textures)

Just wanted to say thank you for the comments and the emails. You bolstered me, I'm better and now I'm past it. I may rant rave and cry but I also get over it as fast as I'm fired up about it. (Usually ;) It's all just part of being a passionate person I guess?! I said what I wanted to say and felt proud to have done so. Each of us has our something that can open up an old wound. This (apparently) was one of those for me. No,  you don't have to fret that I'm going to quit writing. Errors and all it's still coming at ya' - it's just not it me to quit!  I seriously don't seem to know how! And honestly, I really love to share!! 

I understand that sometimes you forget when you're reading a computer screen or watching TV or maybe yelling at the car that just cut you off that it's a real person inside that box. A heart that beats with genuine feelings, troubles, anxieties and joy is sitting behind that screen. We all deserve respect. It's a great reminder for all of us. You have done it, I have done it - we've all lodged our foot right into our mouthes. Two days ago I mentioned how I feel that you can learn from anything, here is a prime example. Even the negative (may it be a small blog comment or a huge ache in the soul) can turn out to be a good thing!


Okay. moving on...



After the Free Texture Post from last week, I got a few emails asking how to use textures. Here is a great tutorial to show you just that. Thanks to Jodi of MCP Actions! 

Free Grunge Photoshop Textures

I love using textures! They can add so much to the feel and vibe of an image. I especially love what they do for senior portraits! Here are 2 great texture packs for you to download and enjoy! Big thanks to Liliana for sharing them with Go{4}Pro! 

Download Page

Download Page


Need help on learning how to use textures? Just click HERE! 

PHOTOGRAPHERS CUSTOM MARKETING & LOGO DESIGN

 Custom Marketing Kit 

The kit will be customized to the The Paysen Theme using your color scheme, paper choice, and logo design. 

An instant download will not be given at the time of purchase. 

After payment is received you will be directed to Sassy-Designs to choose your paper kit. 

Once you have chosen your paper kit purchase one for yourself and let me know your choice and I will purchase one as well to use in your kit.

 A link for your Customized Kit will then be ready within 2 weeks! 

(that time frame may change, and will be updated accordingly if necessary)

If you have questions, please email me before purchase. 

There will be no refunds do to the nature of the work. 

Custom Marketing Kit: $275.00

- OR -

If you need a whole new look there is the option of a

 Custom Logo & Marketing Kit 

The Logo: After you have chosen your Sassy Paper Kit Together we do some pre planning and you let me know what inspires you (i.e personally, I wanted gap meets anthro meets high society), show me what type of logos your drawn to. Then based on that, your color & branding and the style of your work I come up with 3 different logos and from there we fine tune it. After that I customize your marketing kit with your new papers and logo. Once you have chosen your logo, your full download will be available within 2 weeks! The download file has your cutom marketing kit, psd logo version, pgn logo version and watermark.

Custom Logo & Marketing Kit: $450.00

The Photographers Everything Ultimate Marketing Kit!

I'm so excited, it's here!! It's finally time to unveil what I've been working so hard on! Noelle only just saw it for the first time late yesterday afternoon as I was still finishing last minute templates that I thought would be helpful! I designed this kit with the idea of having one marketing kit that had absolutely EVERYTHING you may want or eventually want as your buiseness grows! I tried to think of not just the common stuff but fun stuff and useful stuff as well. I included cool stuff to use those Free everything Vistaprint emails on (if you don't get those emails just google it) like a pen, note pad for when you want to add a quick thought with your contracts, business card magnets for your clients to keep on the fridge and a car magnet to promote on the {Go}. There is a mini moo card that works great as a business card and even better as a tag off of your print boxes! And five through ten are straight templates with out text so that you can say exactly what you need to! 

This Go{4}Pro ultimate everything marketing kit has 26 different fully layered psd files. (actually more since with the WHCC cd case I created it as a double and a single and the portrait box is vertical and horizontal.) 


The kit is meant to be customied and I highly encourage you do so! Not your color palet? I planned for that, everything has clipping masks and is currently clipped in so that you can remove, alter and adjust to fit your buisness needs! 


I recomend finding a paper from Sassy-designs.net that fits your style, logo and branding vision and then implement it throughout! We love Sassy Designs and know you will find exactly what you want, and you're gonna do that usually for under $4!                                     


Everything comes as a fully layered PDS file...     In fact in only a couple minutes I created these other 3 label cards (using digital papers from sassy-designs) by just clipping a new paper in and changing some colors and fonts. The possibilities really are endless! Because of this these templates are not area code restricted! However I would encourage you to research out your market! You don't want to be the third photographer in your town sporting kelly green and black!                                                                                        
       
Once you have your oh so incredible awesome kit we want to see what you do with it!! Share what you come up with and inspire us on our new FLIKR GROUP PAGE! 


Are you excited yet? Even watching the clock hit 2am for my 4th night in a row, I'm super excited!! I know this fun cross between Retro and Modern will give you just what you need to implement all of the great ideas you came up with over the course of our Build the Biz week. I can't wait to implement my new designs and get them printed!! 
I want to see your twist on the kit and your finished products too, thats why I created the Go{4}Pro FLIKR GROUP page!  

To Purchase!

NEW VERSION: NOW WITH WORDING FOR; PRICING, CONTRACT & MODEL RELEASE on both the Adi & Paysen Kits!!

These templates are for your use and sales with in your own business. Never to be shared, resold or redistributed in any way. When showing final printed examples with in the photography community sourcing is appreciated! Thank you for respecting my hard work. 

Do to the nature of the product there will be no refunds so please try the FREE Love template download to make sure everything is compatible! 

.  .  .  .  .   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

This kit is currently not an instant download, I will email you the link as soon as possible!
$199.00

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One Shot - 3 Ways

This is something I'm really excited to try and think will be very interesting to see. We are going to take ONE SOOC IMAGE (straight out of camera) and show you how 3 different photographers decide to edit. Myself, Noelle and our awesome friend Carrie are having so much fun and can't wait to see what you submit! So here is the first one... We each gave it our own touch and now were sharing with you the results and the skinny on how it was done! I'm excited to get your feedback!

We want to make this a weekly thing and you are welcome to submit an image you'd like to see us edit! Please make the subject: One Shot - 3 Ways

THE SOOC

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I forgot to say. Last step on mine (above) was crop.

Organizing Actions Tutorial

I don't know about you, but I have quite the actions collections. I don't want to waste time scrolling through hundreds of actions to find the one I want. Plus I have about 30 that I use regularly and I want those organized at the top so they are easy to access. Getting my Actions Organized has been helpful. If you have been needing to tidy up your actions here is a tutorial from our friend Jodi at MPC Actions.

Make sure you're entered in the giveaway!! Good Luck!

PS Hot Keys for mac

You know how I've learned Hot Keys? By watching some tutorial and being like... 'Wait!? What?! How'd they do that.' I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that's just not the easiest or most efficient way to learn em'.

Then the other day I was looking through old forum posts on napcp (seriously I learn so much over there!) and came across this awesome help tool from Diana, the Designer for napcp. With her permission, I am very excited to share them with our Go{4}Pro peeps. Feel free to print these little gems out and keep em' next to your desktop till hot keys become second nature.

And I have to add one of my favorites; Command + J = Creates new duplicate layer

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Stay tuned because tomorrow our inspire me photographer just happens to be amazingly awesome and she might just have a special surprise for Go{4}Pro!!

Free Actions!

I was going to do a tutorial on softening skin, then I was thinking about doing one on making color pop but  do you know what?  They have free actions for everything!  I LOVE actions and especially free ones.  Smashing Magazine put together The Ultimate Collection of Useful Photoshop Actions.  This post was created a year ago so some of the downloads don't work but there are PLENTY of others that do work.  Trust me, it is well worth your time!

FREE ACTIONS, TUTORIALS, TEXTURES, STORYBOARDS and more

You have one more day if you were thinking of showing off an image with Bokeh! Thanks to me not getting the images sized down and having to much on the plate today. Instead... I'm sending you off to another FANTASTIC blog, and if you have not found this one yet, ooooh. You are going to love me for it!!! It's called CoffeeShop, and it is a sinfully delightful little place to explore, so get some hot chocolate (I don't drink coffee) and enjoy!

It's ALL FREE textures, actions and more. It's awesome. I have so many actions lots paid for, lots free... The one action I use the very most is Coffee Shop Powder Room. Just a side note with powder room, I often use it (and ALL my actions for that matter) in completely different ways than intended. For example, I might use the soften skin layer just to blur my background a little more (hint, hint for Bokeh), or the eye pop to bling out the jewelry! What I'm saying is don't be afraid to play!!

Portraiture Plugin

How often have you looked at another photographers work and thought to yourself, 'how do they do that?!?' I can't even count how many times I've seen an image and trying to think through how they finished it in post processing found myself drawing a complete blank! Well here's one little secret that makes a really huge difference! It's a plugin for photoshop called Portriature. Now the price tag is not cheap (around $200 if you only get Portraiture for CS) so this is something that you may not want to purchase until you really feel it's a must. There is a 30 day FREE trial, so thats a great way to play around with it and see what you think. Word of caution... You will get hooked. I'm not even joking. I tried the 30 day trial and was like, 'how did I ever do this with out it?' My next thought was, 'I can't go back, I just can't!' I know, I'm so dramatic right?! But seriously it saves me so much time in editing. So many steps that I was doing by hand I can now do with one click and still have complete control over the opacity or overall outcome. The night before my trial ended, I was up all night editing to finish up the 4 shoots I still had. Three days later, I couldn't take it and broke down and got it.

I'm no expert! And I haven't even had time to play with the FREE actions they offer to use with it (or even download them for that matter), but here are a few more before (SOOC) and afters. Just know that the afters have more steps than portraiture alone. The image and the top of the post has nothing besides the Portraiture filter followed by Lolly's Base Sharpen. If you already have/use Portraiture, I'd love for you to give us a comment with your own thoughts.

*Also remember that blogger does not do the coloring justice.

The Pioneer Woman - FREE ACTIONS by TRA

I love actions... LOVE THEM! If I could I'd spend thousands on actions and textures and digital papers and digital stamps and okay - you get the point. So as you can imagine, I get REALLY happy when I can get my hands on some FREE ACTIONS!! Oh do I ever. So I downloaded some free actions a couple weeks ago from The Pioneer Woman and wanted to test them out a bit before I recommended them... And well, they are SOOOO worth recommending! They were created by Totally Rad Actions (which I do have 1 set from) especially for The Pioneer Woman Site and they really are great! Here is the link, read the info and scroll down to the bottom to download. Also take some time to explore the sight, there are great tutorials and so much more available to learn!

Here are 2 examples of my own use from a couple shoots over the weekend....

For the pixie: I used SLIGHT LIGHTEN and FRESH AND COLORFUL.

With the F&C Action I used the 2 eye layers to enhance the tree bark, tutu and overall color. I wanted to bring out the white on the trees so using the eye brightener was a perfect answer.

(BTW - I did add a gold texture overlay to the top)

Here is the SOOC (straight out of camera) image. I would normally NEVER crop from a portrait to landscape or vice-versa but in this case it was my best choice to really create a whimsical forestry pixie land. Also notice how drab the trees are in the original.

I used LOVELY AND EARTHEAL on this one among other things. I LOVE that I can go into each layer and adjust to fit the overall mood I'm trying to set. Thats the mark of a great action!

And the SOOC

I'm going to have to continue with this theme! I've found a few other awesome free actions and tutorials worth mentioning. Soon I hope.

More Videos for Photoshop - Way Cool Background Fix

OK - I'm obsessed with these right now. They help me SOOO much! So I was watching all these videos a couple nights ago and today I was editing a picture and realized !!I need that tutorial!!! Hope it helps you too! Here is my before and after, and below you will find the how to.

Happy Edits!

Skin Tricks - Part 1 by mcp actions

Oh lucky day! More tutorials!!! And an FYI - at the end of the video you will find links for so many more video tutorials by Jodi!

 Jodi at mcp actions has been generous enough to share a video tutorial with us at GoforPro! Jodi, thank you so much for your willingness to share. Jodi is a photoshop genius who offers web based workshops, actions and much more. If your not familiar with mcp actions yet, make sure you go spend some time on the site and blog! 

Okay... Here is the fist video tutorial: Skin - Part 1

I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial, become a fan and be the first to know when new posts are up! I have a lot more in the works, more tutorials AND a post dedicated to free photography stuff available to anyone, I have gotten some great stuff and you will be too! 

WANT A FREEBIE TASTE TESTER? Go to mcp actions and click TRY ME! You will find several FREE actions for your enjoyment! Have fun! 

Amazing Women Sharing their TALENTS!!

As I spend way to much time on the internet I find over and over again amazing women who share their awesome talents to help the rest of us. Here are a few blogs that are definitely worth noting!

1. Say Hi to Crystal. She has a blog dedicated to helps and actions for photoshop called Momaziggy's. If you need to learn the how to's of photoshop, check her out, also she offers editing. If you want to see how someone who really knows what to do would post / edit you can send her an image and compare her final to yours. Cool huh!? 

2. This is Shanon, self acclaimed 'techie girl'. Shannon offers a remarkably clever blog She has a great post on how to  make your own card template using Photoshop and WHCC! It's spot on, so if you have been thinking you wanted to try your luck at design go take a looksie! Shannon is one of my first fans of GoforPro... Thanks!

3. Last but not least meet Amy! Amy has an awesome blog with 'creative ideas and free downloads' and you all know how I love free! So if you are planning a party or looking for a cool calling card go look, because you're gonna find something you love! 

None of these women (ok Shannon is going to) know that they are featured on this blog so go take a look and make a comment. Maybe we can make someone's day! So until the next addition here are three awesome blogs to get your creativity flowing and minds expanding!! Have fun! 

MINI MOOS - 20% off coupon code!

I really believe that it's important to make yourself stand out! You need to leave an impression and your first impression is always critical. That’s why none of my business card are actually business card size, how is that ever going to stand apart from the rest?! I have the book mark size, when folded becomes business card size but offers a lot more room thru WHCC and than I also have my mini Moos. These are really fun and cute, and they work great for leaving in a little bowl (I have some at the salon I use). Now order placement to your doorstep is not the fastest, but you can design your own front and than leave your 411 on the back! 

I paid $20 for 100 and they come in a cool hard box. (I'm a sucker for presentation) - oh, I didn't have a coupon code.

Want to try em' 

I have a promo code for you! Q2NWU9 

If you have never bought from MOO before, you will get a 20% discount off any 1 MOO product. Cool, huh!?

Tip: In Photoshop create a new document width 28mm, height 70mm. Just drag your logo, a picture and you have a unique calling card! 

FREE Eyelash Brush Set

I just can't stop posting. I wrote a list last night of all the awesome things to share... It's 2 pages long! 

I thought I would do this one for today because it's really cool and FREE! And I love free. 

I believe as photographers we have a duty to make our clients feel beautiful! If they hate pictures of themselves it's because to many times they didn't get to see the real them as the rest of the world does, I want to change that. Using Photoshop to soften skin, remove blemishes and such is great... Something even more fun than that is to add some eye lashes for the ladies! 

This is one of those sites I definitely STUMBLED on. I have no idea how I found it, but next thing I know it had been hours! This post is about FREE eye lash brushes by trissle-brushes. When looking at other brushes on the site, make sure you check the rules. The designer I'm sharing with you (trisste-brushes) says to go ahead and take and it's ok to have the purpose of selling. So generous for us! 

Below (and technically above) are all examples of me using the lash brushes....

Technical Tip: Make sure you add each lash as it's own layer. Than free transform the layer (command T for mac) and slim it, curve it, etc. to get it just right... last bring down the opacity to create a natural lash!

If you love them, let me know! 

P.S. There will be an ACTION'S GIVEAWAY from Lolly's Playground on Wednesday so make sure you check back to submit your name to win!