Photoshop actions explained for beginners

Let me show why and how to use another great Adobe Photoshop feature that will make your Photoshop experience even better.

Open a random color photo.

In the menu click File and choose Open. Find a photo click to select it and then click Open.

This is a a childhood photo of my granny and me. :)

In the menu click Window and choose Actions.

In the Actions window click Create new action (see picture).

In a newly opened dialog window enter any name you want to name your action with and click Record.

From this moment on, Photoshop has started recording every action you take.

In the menu click Image, Adjustments and choose Desaturate.

We turned the photo black and white.

Also recommended:

  Black and White image in Photoshop

In the menu click Image, Adjustments and choose Hue/Saturation...

In the new dialog window, enable Colorize and play around with the sliders until you end up with something you like. Click OK.

 

A bit of color has been added to a photo.

In the Actions pane click Stop playing/recording.

All the clicks and settings I've made have been saved into a new action called Dreevoo.com in my case.

Now open another photo.

In the menu click File and choose Open. Find a photo click to select it and then click Open.

Another photo from my childhood. :)

In the Actions pane, select your new action, Dreevoo.com in my case (see picture).

If you accidentally closed the Actions window, click Window in the menu and choose Actions to recall it.

Click Play selection.

Photoshop went automatically through all the clicks and settings you made while recording your action.

This can be a real timesaver when wen you have a lot of photos to edit the exact same way. 

Also recommended:

  Resize images with Photoshop actions