PS CS2 Actions... Which one to Buy..?

[zendianah]

Hello... These are my choices.... What I try to do... ? Weddings, Babys, Kids, Portraits,,,, I need 1 set that will give me the creative ability to do all of these... I know that Cindy.. Elsapet mentioned Kubota and Boutwell... Which one would you chose if I can only afford 1 for now. ?

Kubota Tools.. Series 2
Boutwell Tools..
Itty Bitty Tools,,, http://www.ittybittyactions.com/sample5.htm
http://www.brendaacuncius.com/actions2.html

or Last but not least

http://www.phauntactions.com/purchase.html

 

[Digital Matt]

Personally I would spend the money on a photoshop book and learn to make your own. I have never bought an action set or plugin for photoshop.

 

[danalec99]

I use Kubota (Artistic & Production Pak... they don't sell the Prod Pak separately anymore) and have seen the samples of Boutwell actions, which I like. Go through the samples and pick one which you like the most. There isn't a straight answer. You are choosing between tones and that's purely a personal preference.

If Kubota sold the Artistic set along with the Production Pak, I'd without second thoughts recommend that, just for that 'KPD MagicSharpen'.

Here is one more name to consider. I have her Subtle Cross Processing Set 1.
Jeff Ascough has a killer set too. The b&w's are awesome as per the reviews.

 

[zendianah]

I use Kubota (Artistic & Production Pak... they don't sell the Prod Pak separately anymore) and have seen the samples of Boutwell actions, which I like. Go through the samples and pick one which you like the most. There isn't a straight answer. You are choosing between tones and that's purely a personal preference.

If Kubota sold the Artistic set along with the Production Pak, I'd without second thoughts recommend that, just for that 'KPD MagicSharpen'.

Here is one more name to consider. I have her Subtle Cross Processing Set 1.
Jeff Ascough has a killer set too. The b&w's are awesome as per the reviews.

Thanks !! For the input.. I do like Boutwells... Little pricy though

 

[guitarmy]

Personally I would spend the money on a photoshop book and learn to make your own. I have never bought an action set or plugin for photoshop.

I completely second what Matt says. You can buy very informative books that walk you step by step through a ridiculous amount of PS tricks. Do it once, record it, and you're good. That's what I do.

 

[twinphotography]

Adobe Exchange has some good actions which can actually be used as tutorials in a way. After you run it, you can look at the history for each step and tweak them appropriately.