21 Free Photoshop Action Files for Photo Retouching
Today, we are rounding up 21 useful but free Photoshop action files that you can use to retouch and enhance your photos like a pro. If you have not used Photoshop actions, then it is time to get acquainted with this tool in Photoshop. If you know how to use Photoshop actions effectively, it will save you a lot of time and will give you amazing results in your photo editing projects.
For example, if you find yourself doing repetitive tasks or steps in your designs, then you can just simply record these steps and run it next time you are required to perform the same steps and Photoshop will do the work for you. There are also times when you want to mimic an effect applied to an image in Photoshop by other people. If a Photoshop action is available for performing such photo effect, then you can just download the Photoshop action file (ATN) and apply it to your own photograph. By doing so, you do not only achieve the look that you want. You also learned how certain Photoshop effects were achieved.
What is a Photoshop action? An action is a series of steps that you playback on a single file or a batch of files – menu commands, palette options, tool actions, and so on. Examples of Photoshop actions that you can record are actions for changing the size of an image, applying a filter to the image for a particular effect, and saving the file in the desired format. Actions can also include stops that let you perform tasks that cannot be recorded (such as the use of painting tool).
Photoshop comes with predefined actions installed for performing common tasks. You can use these actions and further customize them to meet your requirements. Or, you can create new actions or download actions made available for free by other Photoshop users and install it in your machine.
How to Install the Free Photoshop Action Files
The easiest way to install actions in Photoshop is to drag and drop the actions file on the opened photoshop window. This should work both on Mac and on Windows. However, if you want to install the actions manually, you can do it by saving the ATN files first somewhere on the file system then in Photoshop, open the actions palette and click the tiny triangle in the upper right corner. From the appearing menu choose ‘Load Actions’, then choose the file from the file open dialog.
If you need a detailed tutorial on how to use Photoshop actions, I recommend that you view this less than two-minute video tutorial I got from Youtube.
Below are links to some useful free Photoshop action files that you can download and use. These free Photoshop action files are categorized into three groups: Color post work actions, actions for creating vintage or retro effects, actions for creating HDR effects and actions for performing cosmetic retouching.
FREE PHOTOSHOP ACTION FILES TO DOWNLOAD
Free Photoshop Action Files for Color Post Work
50 Photoshop Post-work Actions
[ DOWNLOAD ]
6 Color Photoshop Actions
These are 6 free Photoshop action files packed in a .zip file. Each one gives a different effect. Just try them and you will see!
[ DOWNLOAD ]
11 Color Free Photoshop Action Set
There are eight free Photoshop action options in this set that you can use to change the color and tone of your photos. These are useful for editing portraits as in the preview image below.
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Instant Vidster by SparkleStock
Instagram now can record video and that means new video effects! Now you can apply those video effects using Photoshop with these Photoshop actions.
[ DOWNLOAD ]
8 Soft Sun – Photoshop Actions
This pack contains several ‘sunny’ Photoshop actions to enhance your photos. This set is not too dramatic unlike the other sunny actions available online. This set was created primarily to use for skin color correction, but it can bring warmth to any picture as well. There are eight shades: Peach, Apricot, Pink, Orchid, Coral, Champagne, Sunset, and Lion. Choose the one that fits you the best.
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Color Photoshop Actions
These actions work great with light-colored pictures but mostly fits with all photos. This set made in Photoshop 7.0 and should work in other versions.
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Free Photoshop Action Files for Vintage, Retro Effects
Scanned Film Effects Photoshop Actions
Here is a set of Photoshop actions for creating that scanned film effect in your photos. Created with Photoshop 7, these actions are great for creating vintage effects in your photographs.
[ DOWNLOAD ]
6 Vintage Effects
[ DOWNLOAD ]
6 Retro-Vintage Actions for Photoshop
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Dark and Light Vintage Photoshop Actions
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Set of 9 “Retro Vintage” actions for Photoshop 7+
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Free Photoshop Actions for HDR Effects
High-Dynamic Range (HDR) Fantasticalizers
[ DOWNLOAD ]
11 Post-Production Effects for High Dynamic Range Images
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Fake HDR Photoshop Action
Here is an easy-to-use Photoshop action for creating an HDR effect in your photographs.
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Free Photoshop Action Files for Cosmetic Enhancements
Enhancing Skin Color
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Airbrushed Skin
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Before and After retouching
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Teeth Whitening Photoshop Action
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Eye Color
[ DOWNLOAD ]
Sharpening Actions
[ DOWNLOAD ]
