Totally Rad Actions

Are they worth it?

Sure, if they fit your style, and personal vision. Me, not so much, but lots of customers love 'em.

I like them. I actually like learning the steps so they're great because you can see all the adjustments. But they're pretty expensive IMO. You can find free actions at www.deviantart.com Just type PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS in the search box, they have hundreds.

Yes, i have quite a few actions, but actually prefer to use photoshop for my basic editing, lightroom for my actions. Is that weird?

Yes, I have both of the their action packs and I like them. They have a section on their website called "Recipes." It is multiple actions run on the same image and it shows the outcome. I like them and so do my customers.

I have all except dirty pictures. Also have Kubota Actions...really like both, fun to play with.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #9206225
Are they worth it?

Not for me; they don't fit the look that appeals to my clients. Nearly all of my images get only basic adjustments plus vignetting. A few dozen images will get "the treatment"; some skin softening plus some more traditional looks like soft focus, etc., but that's it.

If you like the heavily processed look and don't want to take the time to learn to create those effects yourself, then sure, they are worth it.

I don't care for a processed look so much myself. But when I need to retouch, I do love TRA's Pro Retouch action. If you like to soften or retouch skin, this is a great tool.

I have only been using their demo, so it's about 7 or so actions that I get for free. I think they are great for what they are, and I like it that it doesn't collapse all the layers like the actions on deviantart, and they are more complex and customizeable than most action packs. And compared to other photography gears like lenses, this is pretty cheap. If you are a pro and like the llok, I think it's worth it

I have them and thought I'd use them but i don't ever use them. Meh. There's nothing that they do that I can't do myself, and I like to tweak and stuff myself. Just depends on your PP skills I guess.

banpreso wrote in post #9209325
I have only been using their demo, so it's about 7 or so actions that I get for free. I think they are great for what they are, and I like it that it doesn't collapse all the layers like the actions on deviantart, and they are more complex and customizeable than most action packs. And compared to other photography gears like lenses, this is pretty cheap. If you are a pro and like the llok, I think it's worth it

Why not edit the action and remove the flatten layers part?

OdiN1701 wrote in post #9210257
Why not edit the action and remove the flatten layers part?

I usually just go into the history section and go line by line from the top down till I get to a point where the photo is where I like it, that's only if the completed action isn't working nicely with the image. Or I'll look into the action itself and see exactly what settings were used.

I personally like TRA's because I learn from their steps. Things that I didn't know like stamping an image or edge burning, I see step by step how they were done and I create my own actions, modifying certain things.

I very rarely like the SOOC look or the simple BW conversions. The idea to these actions, IMO, is to enhance the "feel" of your images.

geo1976 wrote in post #9206412
I like them. I actually like learning the steps so they're great because you can see all the adjustments. But they're pretty expensive IMO. You can find free actions at www.deviantart.com Just type PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS in the search box, they have hundreds.

Thanks for that tip. I've been on DA for years and never even thought to search for actions on there. Fantastic!

If you want your "art" to look like everyone else's, sure why not.

viet wrote in post #9213567
If you want your "art" to look like everyone else's, sure why not.

Thats a ridiculous statement. Anyone that knows anything about actions knows that you can customize them 1000 ways to make them "your own" after you apply them to your image. Your statement does not reflect the flexibility of actions in my opinion.

Jake