Create actions in Photoshop

For our website we have taken many product shots the enhance the product pages. After taking a picture we often have to resize the photo and adjust the color balances. For a while I was doing it step by step on Photoshop. I figured there must be a better way and sure enough there is.

With Photoshop you can create an Action. Basically assign a series of steps to a function key like "F2". So that once you press "F2" all the steps will be done.

Here is how I did it:

• Save a copy of the files to be modified. Keep the originals safe. Using Photoshop open one typical file.
• Using a pen and paper write down each modification needed in order.
• Close this file. (No need to save)
• Open a typical file again.
  
• Using Photoshop, Click the Actions window. (If not visible go to the top menu select window and select action from the drop down list.
  
• Select New Action – bottom of window next to garbage can.
• Type a Name & select a Function Key
• Click Record – You will see a red circle (i.e. recording)
• Do everything as per your notes (from above)
• Click STOP.
• Test your action – select a typical file. Press your function key

You should be done. To take this a step further you can also batch automate this action. Namely, you can select a whole folder and get photoshop to process multiple files at once.

I used created actions to resize for posting on the web and watermarking photos with my logo.

Goodluck.