I keep seeing pictures posted with digital frames and/or mats around them. Can this be done with CS4 or are there special plug-ins required? I just started with CS4, so don't know that much about it yet.
DABNIK wrote:
I keep seeing pictures posted with digital frames and/or mats around them. Can this be done with CS4 or are there special plug-ins required? I just started with CS4, so don't know that much about it yet.
Thanks
Dabnik,
If you already have CS4, there are a set of "Frame" actions or atn. files that come with it. To find them, go to window>actions/history. There are about a dozen or so stock frames to choose from, but a Google for "Photoshop Frame Actions" will yield you tons of results. And then again, once you're familiar with Photoshop, it's super simple to create all sorts of frames yourself. Do you already have CS4 and can you find the frame actions?
I think that the actions for purchase are often overdone, and really tacky. The floating action above makes me grate my teeth, and the other fake frames also look very bad (for displaying photos on the web). The best digital frames aren't poor imitations of physical frames. These tend to have cleaner lines and are also easy to write actions for yourself.
greeneggs wrote:
I think that the actions for purchase are often overdone, and really tacky. The floating action above makes me grate my teeth, and the other fake frames also look very bad (for displaying photos on the web). The best digital frames aren't poor imitations of physical frames. These tend to have cleaner lines and are also easy to write actions for yourself.
That is your opinion. The majority of people think they look great. Also, they work extremely well if you have prints plaque-mounted. From a distance most people can't tell that they are not real mats and frames, nor can they tell that they are not three-dimensional.
They are not used just for displaying photos on the Web.
But why pay $20 when there are so many Free actions on the Web. I find so many actions have problems even the one's for sale its my policy not to buy any. I download free one just to see how people use Photoshop. IMO very few Actions and Scripts are worth keeping as downloaded but you get quite and education reading them. Here is a good site for free Actions. Since there free you not getting ripped off and you might find some actions you like. http://www.atncentral.com/
I agree, haven't paid a dime for any of my actions and the freeware actions I do use are excellent. I feel that my money is better spent on just a few programs like NIK ColorEffects and onOne's PhotoTools.
There are a lot of things that "grate my teeth", but a tacky frame or a beautiful frame is not going to improve a lousy shot. And to see a page of thumbnails with discrete framing is very appealing to my eye. http://copperhill.zenfolio.com/p377746866
I have been printing a few photos with that particular frame by PanosFX and then brushing on a varnish. Next, I mount the photo and place it into a frame with no additional mat or glass, the coating provides all of the protection the print will ever need as well as adding an "oil painting" type of feeling. More and more photographers in my area are varnishing their photos and are very happy not to be bothered with glass and/or mats.
For those not familiar with plaque-mounting, and how effective it can be when used with digital mats & frames, have a look at: http://www.mountitnow.com/plaque_it.html
Do a Web search for "plaque mounting" and you will come up with many more companies that provide this service.
Imagemaster wrote:
That is your opinion. The majority of people think they look great. Also, they work extremely well if you have prints plaque-mounted. From a distance most people can't tell that they are not real mats and frames, nor can they tell that they are not three-dimensional.
They are not used just for displaying photos on the Web.
Don't wear your teeth down.
I agree, most people are satisfied with very low quality. As an amateur photographer, I don't have to worry about them. Just not my cup of tea.
