Free Photoshop Action Resources for Photographers and Designers

Photographers and graphic designers frequently seek tools to streamline their editing workflows while maintaining creative control. Among the most valuable resources available are Photoshop actions—pre-recorded sequences of steps that can be applied to images to achieve consistent, professional effects with a single click. The provided source material identifies several providers of free and premium Photoshop actions, with a particular focus on the "Paint the Moon" brand and its offerings. This article details the available free resources, premium options, and practical considerations for users interested in these tools.

Understanding Photoshop Actions and Their Value

Photoshop actions are recorded sequences of editing steps that can be saved and reapplied to other images. According to the source material, these tools allow users to "achieve remarkable effects" and "transform images into polished works of art while saving a lot of time and money" (Source 4). The documentation emphasizes that actions are reusable, making them ideal for improving workflow efficiency by eliminating repetitive manual tasks. They are designed to be suitable for both beginners and advanced Photoshop users, offering a way to apply complex effects without extensive technical knowledge.

The primary benefit highlighted is time savings. By automating repetitive processes, actions allow photographers to focus on creative aspects of their work rather than technical adjustments. Many action sets are also customizable, enabling users to adjust opacity or modify individual layers to suit their specific stylistic preferences.

Paint the Moon: Free and Premium Action Sets

Paint the Moon emerges as a prominent provider mentioned across multiple sources. The brand offers a range of action sets, including both free samples and premium collections.

Free Offerings

According to Source 1, Paint the Moon provides freebies that include "actions, digital frames, a collage template, and more." Source 3 and Source 4 specifically reference a free download titled "Paint The Moon – The Reverie Photoshop Actions & Overlays," which includes 94 Photoshop actions (.ATN files) and 52 overlays (.JPG files). These overlays are described as "clip art with the title of dreaming images" (Source 4). The free Reverie pack is noted for offering high-speed download access via Google Drive.

Premium Collections

Paint the Moon’s premium offerings are detailed in Source 6, which lists three main collections with specific features and pricing:

Reverie Collection ($129 USD): Includes 94 actions and 52 light and sky overlays. Features workflows for outdoor and beach photography, color toning, mattes, bokeh enhancers, and quick portrait touch-ups.
Dreamy Collection ($169 USD): Contains over 145 actions for clean base edits, creative color shifts, vintage film effects, and special brush workflow tools. A free bonus includes light leaks and paint-on light effects.
Perfect Portrait Collection ($99 USD): A retouching set focused on skin smoothing, bright eyes, and perfect skin tones. Includes the "Perfect Portrait" mega retouching action and 70 corrective and retouching actions.

Source 2 adds that Paint the Moon offers actions for workflow speed, a "Miracle Makeover" set for skin, eyes, and teeth, and "Wonderland" actions for hazy and dreamy effects.

User Experiences and Application Techniques

Source 5 provides insights from a photographer using Paint the Moon actions for senior portraits. The user highlights the "crisp, clean, look" of the actions, noting they enhance color and are suitable for backlit and hazy images. Specific actions mentioned include "Perfect Color" and "Matte Film," the latter of which works well on black-and-white images.

The "Luminosity" action set is described as adding "a touch of whimsy and light," with specific actions like "Adeline" and "Deep Rich Matte" used to bring out rich colors in floral arrangements. A key takeaway from this source is the adjustability of the layers. The photographer recommends reducing action opacity to 30-50%, stating, "I never run an action at 100%" because she aims to enhance existing light rather than apply heavy effects.

Source 7 details a practical editing workflow using a Paint the Moon action called "Hush Now" to create a slightly hazy look. The user lowers the opacity and uses the "Quiet Mist" layer to selectively erase the misty effect from specific areas (like the subject's eyes) using the eraser tool. This demonstrates the flexibility and precision possible with these tools.

Other Providers of Photoshop Actions

While Paint the Moon is heavily featured, the sources also identify other providers of free and premium actions.

Free Resources

Pioneer Woman: Ree Drummond’s actions are listed as "very popular for photographers" (Source 1). A download link is provided in the source.
MCP Actions: Hosts free actions for Photoshop and Elements, as well as Lightroom Presets (Source 1).
Totally Rad!: Offers a free trial of some actions upon account sign-up (Source 2).
Night Fate: Has a section for free actions, though these are offered for a limited time only (Source 2).
Olive Juice Shoppe: Provides a free resize/sharpen action for web use (Source 7).

Premium Providers

Squijoo: Described as a "one-stop source for templates, marketing sets, and so much more." It operates on a subscription model ($10/month), with a 50% discount available for Digital Photography School (DPS) subscribers using code BD5C6 (Source 1).
Night Fate: Offers reasonably priced action sets for color pop, airy tones, and hazy styles (Source 2).
Yellow Sky Actions: Provides a bundle of 101 actions including essential, color, smokin' effects, and black & white actions (Source 2).
Bellevue Avenue: Offers sets for mattes, newborns, flawless skin, and eyes & teeth (Source 2).

Workflow Considerations and Tools

Beyond individual actions, the sources mention related tools that support photographers' workflows.

Online Gallery Proofing

Source 1 discusses online gallery proofing services, which are distinct from actions but relevant to the photography business workflow: * PASS: Allows free upload of 100 images; additional uploads cost $29. Supports password-protected galleries and digital downloads. * Pixieset: Free account allows for uploading approximately 1,500 photos, making it suitable for photographers with larger volumes of images.

Editing in Photoshop Elements

Source 7 provides a brief tutorial on using actions within Photoshop Elements, noting that the software is "very underrated" and "packs a punch." The workflow described includes manual adjustments (using the sponge tool, burn tool) followed by applying the "Hush Now" action, adjusting opacity, and erasing specific effect areas before finalizing the image for web use.

Conclusion

The available source material provides a comprehensive overview of Photoshop action resources, with a significant focus on the Paint the Moon brand. Free resources, such as the Reverie action and overlay pack, offer substantial value with 94 actions and 52 overlays at no cost. Premium Paint the Moon collections range in price from $99 to $169, offering specialized tools for retouching, color grading, and creative effects.

User testimonials confirm that these actions are customizable, with recommended usage often involving reduced opacity to maintain a natural look. Beyond Paint the Moon, other providers like Pioneer Woman, MCP Actions, and Totally Rad! offer free actions or trials, while subscription services like Squijoo provide broader template libraries. For photographers seeking to enhance efficiency and creative output, these actions represent a practical investment of time and resources.