Buying Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets Online: Good or Bad? Purchasing Photoshop actions
and Lightroom presets online can be a quick and effective way to enhance your editing process.
However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons
before making a decision, as buying pre-made tools might not always align with your specific needs.
Here’s a breakdown of the good and bad sides of buying actions and presets online:
The Good
1. Time-Saving
Automates repetitive tasks: Actions and presets can save you significant time by automating
processes like color grading, retouching, and special effects.
Batch processing: Many Photoshop actions and Lightroom presets allow for batch processing, which
means you can apply the same look or adjustments to multiple photos with a single click. This is
particularly useful for wedding, event, or portrait photographers who deal with large numbers of
images.
2. Consistency in Editing
Maintains a uniform style: Using the same presets or actions across multiple images helps maintain
a consistent look, which is important for building a cohesive portfolio,
social media presence, or brand identity.
Professional quality: Many actions and presets are designed by industry professionals, allowing you
to achieve a polished, professional look without having to manually tweak every setting.
3. Easy to Learn
Accessible for beginners: If you’re new to Photoshop or Lightroom, pre-made actions and presets are
a great way to achieve professional results without mastering every tool
yourself. You can learn how they work by seeing the steps used, which can be

educational.
Minimal effort for complex effects: Some complex edits, like cinematic color grading or frequency
separation, can be hard to master. Pre-made actions let you achieve these effects quickly without
diving into advanced techniques.
4. Creative Inspiration
Experimentation with new styles: Buying different actions or presets allows you to experiment with
styles and techniques you might not have considered. This can inspire new creative directions and
fresh looks for your photography.
Great for themed projects: If you have a particular theme or aesthetic in mind (like a vintage
feel, a moody atmosphere, or vibrant colors), presets and actions tailored for that style make it
easier to achieve the look consistently.
5. Affordable Pricing
Relatively inexpensive: Actions and presets are often sold at a low price or in bundles, making
them affordable tools to elevate your editing process. Some online marketplaces like Creative
Market, Etsy, or GraphicRiver offer individual downloads starting at just a few dollars.
The Bad
1. Limited Customization
One-size-fits-all: Pre-made actions and presets are designed for general use, meaning they may not
always work perfectly with every image, especially if the lighting, colors, or tones differ
drastically from the preset’s intended use.
Over-reliance: Relying solely on presets or actions can limit your ability to develop your own
editing style. You may find yourself applying the same look to every photo, which
can make your work feel less personalized or original.
2. Inconsistent Results
Not always universal: A preset that works beautifully on one image might look terrible on another.
Depending on the exposure, lighting, or color balance of your image, a preset might need additional
tweaks to achieve the desired result.
Editing still required: Even after applying an action or preset, you’ll often need to make manual
adjustments. If you’re not comfortable with basic editing skills, this can become frustrating.
3. Quality Varies
Not all are well-made: The quality of actions and presets available online can vary dramatically.
Some sellers provide high-quality, professionally tested tools, while others might offer poorly
constructed products that don’t work as expected.
Over-editing risk: Some presets or actions may apply heavy-handed adjustments, leading to unnatural
results (e.g., overly saturated colors, extreme contrasts, or loss of details in
highlights/shadows). Subtlety in editing is often key to a professional look, and not all products
strike that balance.

4. Lack of Learning
Can stunt growth: If you rely too heavily on purchased presets and actions, you may not learn the
editing techniques yourself. Understanding how to use the individual sliders and tools in Lightroom
or Photoshop is key to mastering editing. Pre-made solutions can sometimes act as a crutch.
Limits creativity: While presets and actions can serve as a foundation, overusing them without
learning to tweak and customize can limit your creativity. They should be seen as starting points
rather than final solutions.
5. Compatibility Issues
Software and version limitations: Some actions and presets may not work with older versions of
Photoshop or Lightroom. Always double-check the compatibility with your software before purchasing.
Different camera profiles: Presets are often designed with specific camera profiles in mind. They
may not produce the same results if used with different camera brands, models, or file formats (RAW
vs. JPEG).
How to Make the Most of Purchased Actions and Presets
Customize to Your Style: After applying an action or preset, tweak the settings to fit your
personal style. This ensures the final look reflects your creative vision.
Learn from Them: Pay attention to how the actions and presets are built. You can often
reverse-engineer them to understand how professional photographers use certain tools. This is a
great way to learn new techniques and shortcuts.
Use Sparingly: Don’t rely solely on pre-made solutions. They should complement your editing
workflow, not define it. Make sure to keep practicing manual adjustments to grow your skills.
Test Before Applying: Always test actions and presets on a few images first to see how they
interact with different lighting, tones, and compositions. This helps you avoid applying unsuitable
effects across a batch of photos.
Conclusion: Is Buying Actions and Presets Good or Bad?
Good: If you’re looking to speed up your workflow, achieve professional results quickly, or
experiment with new styles, buying actions and presets can be a huge advantage. They are excellent
tools, particularly for those who want to maintain consistency across large numbers of images or
explore creative directions.
Bad: On the flip side, over-relying on them can stunt your growth as an editor and limit your
creative potential. Additionally, the quality of the product can vary, so you’ll need to research
thoroughly before purchasing.
Verdict: Purchasing Photoshop actions and Lightroom presets is a great option for photographers who
want to enhance their editing process, but they should be seen as tools to complement your skills,
not replace them. Always test them, customize as needed, and
continue learning the craft of editing to develop your unique style.

Instruction Tutorial: Using Bracketing and Processing in Lightroom and Photoshop
Part 1: Using Bracketing
Step 1: Set Up Your Camera for Bracketing
1. Enable Bracketing: Locate the bracketing option in your camera menu. This is often labeled as
“BKT” or “Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)”.
2. Choose the Number of Shots: Select how many bracketed shots you want to take (typically 3, 5, or
7). For this tutorial, we will use 3 shots.
3. Set Exposure Difference: Set the exposure difference between each shot (usually between 1 to 3
stops). For this tutorial, set it to 2 stops.
4. Select Shooting Mode: Set your camera to continuous shooting mode to capture the bracketed shots
quickly.
Step 2: Compose and Focus
1. Compose Your Shot: Frame your shot as you normally would.
2. Focus: Focus on your subject. If using manual focus, ensure it’s set correctly. Step 3: Capture
the Bracketed Shots
1. Stabilize Your Camera: Use a tripod to keep your camera stable.
2. Capture the Shots: Press the shutter button (or use a remote shutter release) to capture the
bracketed shots in quick succession.

Part 2: Processing Bracketed Shots in Lightroom and Photoshop
Step 1: Importing Photos into Lightroom
1. Open Lightroom: Launch Adobe Lightroom.
2. Import Photos: Click on the “Import” button and select your bracketed shots from your memory
card or computer.
Step 2: Merging Photos to HDR in Lightroom
1. Select Bracketed Photos: In the Library module, select the bracketed photos you want to merge.
2. Merge to HDR: Right-click on the selected photos, go to “Photo Merge,” and choose “HDR” (or use
the shortcut Ctrl+H on Windows or Cmd+H on Mac).
3. HDR Merge Preview: In the HDR Merge Preview window, check “Auto Align” and “Auto Settings.” If
there are moving objects in your shots, also check “Deghost Amount” (choose Low, Medium, or High
based on the movement).
4. Merge: Click “Merge” to create the HDR image. Lightroom will generate a new DNG file. Step 3:
Adjusting HDR Image in Lightroom
1. Develop Module: Go to the Develop module by clicking “Develop” in the top menu.
2. Basic Adjustments: Use the sliders to adjust Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites,
and Blacks to fine-tune your HDR image.
3. Tone Curve: Adjust the Tone Curve for more precise control over the brightness and contrast.
4. Color Adjustments: Use the HSL/Color panel to adjust the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance of
specific colors.
5. Sharpening and Noise Reduction: Apply sharpening and noise reduction in the Detail panel. Step
4: Exporting from Lightroom to Photoshop
1. Edit in Photoshop: Right-click on your HDR image and select “Edit In” > “Edit in Adobe
Photoshop” (or use the shortcut Ctrl+E on Windows or Cmd+E on Mac).
2. Choose Editing Options: In the dialog box that appears, choose “Edit a Copy with Lightroom
Adjustments” and click “Edit”.
Step 5: Final Adjustments in Photoshop
1. Check Layers: Your image will open as a new layer in Photoshop.
2. Curves Adjustment Layer: Add a Curves adjustment layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves)
for more refined contrast adjustments.
3. Dodge and Burn: Use the Dodge (O) and Burn (O) tools to selectively lighten and darken areas of
your image.
4. Clone Stamp and Healing Brush: Use the Clone Stamp (S) and Healing Brush (J) tools to remove any
unwanted artifacts or distractions.
5. Sharpening: Apply additional sharpening if needed (Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask or High Pass
filter).
Step 6: Save and Export Your Final Image
1. Save Your Work: Save your edited image in Photoshop (File > Save) to ensure the changes are
saved back to Lightroom.
2. Export from Lightroom: In Lightroom, select your image and click on “Export.” Choose your export
settings (file type, resolution, etc.) and click “Export.”
By following these steps, you can effectively use bracketing to capture a wider dynamic range and

then process your images in Lightroom and Photoshop to achieve stunning HDR results.

Bokeh is a term used in photography to describe the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas of
an image. It is a Japanese word that translates to “blur” or “haze.” Bokeh is a popular technique
among photographers who want to create visually stunning images with a unique look and feel. In
this article, we will take a closer look at what bokeh is, how it is created, and why it is so
popular among photographers attending Visionary Photography Workshops.
What is Bokeh?
Bokeh refers to the aesthetic quality of the blur in the out-of-focus areas of a photograph. It is
often characterized by a pleasing, soft, and creamy look, which is created by the lens’s aperture.
The

shape of the out-of-focus areas can vary depending on the lens and aperture used. Bokeh is not just
a result of having a shallow depth of field. It is also influenced by other factors such as the
lens’s construction, the distance between the subject and the background, and the distance between
the lens and the subject.
How is Bokeh created?

Bokeh is created by the lens’s aperture, which controls the amount of light that enters the camera.
When the aperture is wide open, the lens allows more light to enter, creating a shallow depth of
field. This shallow depth of field causes the foreground and background to be out of focus,
creating the bokeh effect. The quality of bokeh is also affected by the shape of the aperture
blades. The more rounded the blades, the smoother and creamier the bokeh will appear.
Why is Bokeh so popular among photographers?

Bokeh is a popular technique among photographers because it adds an artistic and creative element
to their images. The soft, out-of-focus areas create a dreamy, romantic, and magical feel, which is
perfect for portraits, landscapes, and still life photography. Bokeh can also be used to draw
attention to a particular part of the image, such as the subject’s face or an object in the
foreground.
Bokeh also allows photographers to separate the subject from the background, creating a sense of
depth and three-dimensionality in their images. This separation between the subject and background
can create a more dynamic and visually interesting composition.
How can you achieve great Bokeh?

Achieving great bokeh is not just about having a lens with a wide aperture. The quality of bokeh
can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the distance between the subject and the
background, the distance between the lens and the subject, and the lens’s construction.
To achieve great bokeh, start by selecting a lens with a wide aperture. Lenses with a maximum
aperture of f/1.4 or f/1.8 are ideal for creating shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh. Next,
choose a subject with a clean and uncluttered background. This will allow the background to be out
of focus, creating the bokeh effect. Make sure the subject is far enough away from the background
to create separation and depth in the image.
Finally, experiment with different aperture settings and focal lengths to achieve different bokeh
effects. Keep in mind that the shape of the aperture blades can also affect the quality of bokeh,
so look for lenses with rounded aperture blades for the best results.
Conclusion
Bokeh is a beautiful and artistic technique that can add a unique and creative element to your
photography. By understanding how bokeh is created and experimenting with different lenses,
apertures, and focal lengths, you can achieve stunning bokeh effects that will make your images
stand out. Whether you are attending Visionary Photography Workshops or just starting out in
photography, mastering the art of bokeh can take your photography to the next level.

As a photographer, capturing the natural beauty and
contours of the human body is an art that requires a
combination of technical skill, creativity, and sensitivity.
Body sculpting photography is a genre that emphasizes
the natural curves and definition of the human physique.
At Visionary Photography Workshops, we provide
comprehensive training to master the art of body sculpting
photography and the various lighting techniques used to
create stunning and authentic images.
Lighting is one of the most important elements in creating
a body
sculpting image. The right lighting setup can emphasize
the natural contours of
the body and highlight its defining features. There are
three common lighting
setups used in body sculpting photography: clamshell,
loop, and three-point
lighting.
The clamshell lighting setup involves two diffused light
sources,
positioned above and below the subject’s face to create a
soft and even light
that captures the natural contours of the face and neck.
This setup is commonly
used in beauty and fashion photography to create a
flattering, soft light that
highlights the subject’s features.
The loop lighting setup involves a single light source,
positioned
slightly above and to the side of the subject’s face to
create a small
triangular patch of light under the subject’s eye,
emphasizing their facial
features. This setup is often used in portrait photography
to create a dramatic
and dynamic effect that brings out the subject’s character
and personality.
The three-point lighting setup is the most versatile and
commonly used
in body sculpting photography. This setup involves a key
light, a fill light,
and a backlight to provide a balanced and even light that
highlights the
subject’s physique. The key light is the primary light
subject’s physique. The key light is the primary light
source, positioned at a
45-degree angle to the subject to create depth and
definition. The fill light
is positioned opposite the key light to fill in any shadows
and soften the
overall effect. The backlight is positioned behind the
subject to create
separation and highlight the subject’s outline.
Photographers can experiment with variations of these
lighting setups by
adjusting the distance, angle, and color temperature of the
light sources to
create their own unique style. It is important to consider
the subject’s
physique and the location of the shoot when choosing the
appropriate lighting
setup. At Visionary Photography Workshops, we provide
hands-on training and
guidance on how to choose the appropriate lighting setup
for a specific shoot.
Aside from lighting, camera settings also play a significant
role in
capturing the best possible image. A fast shutter speed
freezes the subject’s
motion, while a wide aperture creates a shallow depth of
field that blurs the
field that blurs the
background and brings the subject into focus. The ISO
should be set to the
lowest possible value to reduce noise and maintain image
quality. At Visionary
Photography Workshops, we provide comprehensive
training on camera settings and
how to use them to create stunning body sculpting
images.