Photoshop is an extremely powerful tool that gives unlimited potential to photographers. While the endless possibilities are great, editing your photos can take a considerable amount of time. One effective way to reduce the amount of time you spend in Photoshop is to make use of Photoshop Actions.
What is a Photoshop Action?
An action is basically a script that applies specific adjustments to a photo. With the help of actions, you can apply an effect in a matter of seconds, rather than spending several minutes to complete the same steps manually.
Photoshop allows you to create your own actions, or you can download and install actions that have been created by other photographers. There are many different websites that sell actions, and you can also find some quality actions that are available for free.
The problem with free actions is that you need to spend many hours browsing the internet to find free actions that are of the best quality.
But don’t worry, we’ve cut out the hard work for you by putting together this collection of 50 excellent free Photoshop actions!
Below you will find a collection that includes actions that will allow you to easily create a wide variety of effects with your photos. Browse this collection, find the ones that interest you, and download them. If you’re a Lightroom user, please see our collection of 50 free Lightroom presets.
1. Sweet Vanilla Custard
2. Parisian Rain
3. Oil Painting
4. Faded Cross Processing Photoshop Action
5. Retro Cross Photoshop Action
6. Color Play
7. The Mini Collection
8. Photo Effect Actions
9. Presets Galore
10. Infrared
Related Article: How to take infrared photography
11. Sunrise/Sunset Photoshop Action
12. Sunken Sunlight Photoshop Action
13. Intense Warm Photoshop Action
14. Glacier Ice Lights Photoshop Action
15. Skin Retouching
16. Cinematic
17. Cinematic
18. Summer Haze Photoshop Action
19. Misty Blue Photoshop Action
20. HDR Photoshop Action
21. HDR Photoshop Action
22. Intensity Photoshop Action
23. Soft Pastel Photoshop Action
24. Vintage Landscape
25. Old Film Photoshop Action
26. Faded Film Photoshop Action
27. Washed Matte Photoshop Action
28. Matte Film Photoshop Action
29. Matte Enchantment Photoshop Action
30. Faded Photoshop Action
31. Sapphire Luxe Photoshop Action
32. Cool Fade Photoshop Action
33. Old Black & White Photoshop Action
34. Black & White
35. Bold Black & White
36. Shifted Photoshop Action
37. Split Toned Photoshop Action
38. Split Toned Photoshop Action
39. Buttered Toast Photoshop Action
40. Nightmare Photoshop Action
41. Ice Photoshop Action
42. Glory Days Photoshop Action
43. Pro Sharpening
44.Artistic Effect
45. Cross Processing Photoshop Action
46. Retro Effect
47. Lomo Photoshop Action
48. Light Leak Photoshop Action
49. Merlot Luxe Photoshop Action
50. Color Grading
Related article: Lightroom vs. Photoshop
How to Install Photoshop Actions
The easiest way to install Photoshop actions is to start by opening Photoshop. Once you have Photoshop open, browse your computer to find where you have saved the Photoshop actions file (it will be a .atn file). Then double click on the .atn file and it will be automatically installed. In Photoshop go to Window > Actions and you will see the list of actions and action sets that are installed. From there you can apply the action to your photos. Be sure that you save the .atn files in a safe place even after you have them installed in Photoshop. Every now and then you may open Photoshop and find that some or all of your installed actions are missing. If that is the case, just go to the place that you have the .atn file and install it again. If you need more help with installing these photoshop actions, perhaps give a read to one of these free photoshop books.
Resources:
- Best Photoshop Tutorials to master Photoshop
- Lightroom vs. Photoshop which one is the best?
- Photoshop alternatives that has similar features as PS
- How to install Photoshop brushes
- 40 Free Photoshop Brushes
Now that you’ve finished this article, you’re a better photographer.
Guaranteed.
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