How to Use Photoshop Actions

What is a Photoshop Action? Photoshop Actions play a series of recorded commands. While the definition sounds kind of boring, what they can do is definitely exciting! When you use an action from the SG Design Shop, the designers have incorporated tricks and techniques that most of us might not know. You can add special effects to photos, create realistic shadows, automate brushwork, or even tear your digital papers. There isn’t room to show all my favorite actions, so we’ll focus on Brandy Murry’s ScrapSimple Tools – Actions: Magical Photos 2. This is a very simple action to use, and it runs with just one click.

After you have installed your action, it will show up in the Actions Panel in Photoshop.  Most actions in the Boutique are sold as sets. In order to see and play the different actions, you’ll need to click on the triangle to the left of the set to expand it. You can see there are three different actions in the Magical Photos 2 Set.

To play an action, select the action name (I have Fairy Blue selected), and then click the Play button in the Actions panel.

I ran the three different actions in the Magical Photos 2 set on my photo. This action runs on a copy of your photo, so it is easy to select the original and play the next action in the set.

Now it’s time for the hardest part – choosing which one to use in your layout!

Digital scrapbooking supplies used:
ScrapSimple Tools – Actions: Magical Photos 2
We asked Creative Team member Joyce Schardt to share a couple of her favorite Photoshop Actions with us!

Most of my photographs are of fast moving little objects called “Nick and Nate”. As a consequence, my pictures are always in need of sharpening. The go-to action that I use on 75% of my photos is ScrapSimpleTools – Actions: Photo FX 6301 Mini by Syndee. The same action can also add contrast and softness or a radial blur to your photos.


ScrapSimple Tools – Actions: Photo FX 6301 for Photoshop Elements is also available

When your photographs do not complement the colors that you are working with and changing them to black and white or sepia tones is not the answer, with just the click of the mouse, I have discovered another alternative. Brandy’s  ScrapSimple Tools – Actions: Magical Photos not only makes your photos pop but also creates a dreamy glow. You can select from six different tints, one of which will surely enhance the overall harmonious appearance of your digital scrapbooking layouts. – Joyce

ScrapSimple Tools – Actions: Magical Photos for PSE also available