Tuesday, March 30, 2010

How To Give Your Photos That Whimsical Look.

I have been asked a fair bit of late on how I get my photographs to have that dreamy, whimsical look. I do post some here that are straight out of camera, and others I do a little bit of work to them in Photoshop.

Here are some tips from a professional, Mocking Bird. And now here is my cheats version {from someone who doesn't really know what they're doing}.

I'm no whizz. I can't make a double chin disappear, or even a pimple for that matter. What I do to the photos is called running an action over them.

Today I thought I would share my favourite actions with you all. The ones that I use the most are from Peta Mazey photography. They're really easy to use, and affordable too. I love them because they give photos that little extra something special.

This is what effect some of my favourites action have on a photo of Lacey. You might notice that I'm quite a fan of the pastel wash. Does it look familiar?

So, all you need is a version of photoshop {I use CS3} and some actions. They're really easy to download and fun to play around with. You can try an action, delete it, combine a few actions... and eventually find your favourites.

I hope I've explained this well enough. If not, please just send me an email and I'll try and help. xx
Posted by Chantelle {fat mum slim} at 5:52 AM
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13 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing with us! :) I've found some free actions but nothing beats the ones you use for your lovely pictures.

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  2. i love harriet and the b+w is beautiful too! i might need to get me some of those... rowe x

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  3. Thanks for sharing your secrets. I use picnik

    http://www.picnik.com/app#/home/welcome

    Its free and really simple to use.

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  4. Thankyou! A really great share. Love that photo of Lacey.

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  5. Thanks for the tips!! :)

    To get rid of pimples and small imperfections, depending on the version you have, there should be a little icon that looks like a bandaid, it's called 'heal' i think.... just place that over what you want to disappear, and it will blend the surrounding texture or colour over it, and whala!! it disappears!! One of my favourite tools!! hahaha

    In regards to the double chin, I would just suggest to use what is known as the 'myspace pose' .... Holding the camera above your head and looking up, does wonders!! So many little teeny boppers do it!! hahahah

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  6. Thanks Telle - love the Harriet action. Gorgeous

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  7. Thank you for sharing... I HAVE to get photoshop and someone to show me how to use it, lol!

    You take beautiful photos!

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  8. Thanks so much Chantelle! Your advice on the actions is fab!
    Jeani
    x

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  9. Oh, so lovely and I think I need to get me those actions one day... Are you then layer masking the actions, Chantelle?

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  10. Love the piccies Telle.
    Gorgeous L is really turning into a little lady isn't she!! xx

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  11. Gorgeous.
    Thanks for sharing. You just want to squeeze Lacey!

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  12. :)
    They are some lovely actions.
    All I know about photoshop I taught myself through trial and error and one clever book, CS3 for Photographers by Scott Kelby.
    It's a great book!

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  13. Thankyou so much for sharing that Chantelle! You're so generous for doing so. I've always just admired the pics from a distance :D

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