Back projecting an image through smoke is a classic technique that looks amazing with the right image.
So here’s one to start your collection off. It’s colourful and it’s hi-res which makes it zoomable. You’ll need a data projector to make the image above and lots and lots of haze!
If you need a selection of rays of light for next Photoshop project and you need them in just one click, then this set of 10 Photoshop actions is for you… and yes, they’re 100% free!
The action does a few things you need to be aware of. First, your original image is always untouched. The action creates a duplicate of your image and flattens any layers on the new (duplicate) image before creating the light rays. Your original image is ALWAYS untouched!
Need more rays? Run the action again. The rays can be altered in position, size, opacity and colour
Hot embers floating through the air look beautiful and when you get the chance you should grab a photo. But if you want the look of hot embers without the need to rummage through you old photos, my Instant Cinder Fluffy action (which I created for an Adorama TV Halloween themed video) does a great job.
Instant-Cinders-Example
Image 1 of 1
The action does a few things you need to be aware of. First, your original image is always untouched. The effect is random, so running it a few times will give different patterns of embers. You’ll need to copy, paste and re-size the embers to fit your original image. Set the layer blending mode to “Screen” and adjust the layer opacity to taste.
Over the years I’ve made several free instant snow Photoshop actions and they’re still some off the most popular downloads on the site. But they all had one thing in common… they were very static!
So now I’ve updated my Instant Snow V2 Photoshop action to include a little bit of movement and motion blur. Instant Snow flurry uses my tried and trusted random snow generator, so the position of the flakes will always be different and there’s a choice of four different amounts of snow to choose from.
The Photoshop action always makes a copy of your original image and leaves the snow layers intact for you to adjust, colour or copy, paste and re-size over your original image. Of course you don’t have to keep them as snow. With a little bit of re-working it could be snow, dust, embers or any particles you can imagine!
If you create a photo using the Friday Freebie then let me (and everyone else) know by leaving the link in the comments below.
Usage rules The Photoshop Action is copyright Gavin Hoey 2021. Use is strictly limited to any personal but non-commercial purposes. Please share the Friday Freebie by linking back to this page. Do not redistribute the original action without my permission.
On a recent live stream I created an overhead, rainy day scene in my small home studio. If you missed it, I’ve added the video below. During the stream I added some rain using a Photoshop action and as promised, I’m sharing it here.
The action does a few things you need to be aware of. First it makes a duplicate of your image, so the original is always untouched. The effect is random, so running a few times will give different patterns of rain. I’ve also left the rain as layers, so you can fine tune as needs be and if you need a higher resolution version, you can copy, paste and re-size the rain to your original image.
If you create a photo using my Photoshop action then let me (and everyone else) know by leaving the link in the comments below.
Usage rules The Photoshop Action is copyright Gavin Hoey 2020. Use is strictly limited to any personal but non-commercial purposes. Please share the action by linking back to this page. Do not redistribute the original action without my permission. No technical support is provided.
Way back in 2013 I made a simple Photoshop action that made snow. As it turns out it makes REALLY good looking snow and even today it’s regularly in the top three most visited pages of my blog.
The secret to it’s success is down to it’s one click simplicity which runs the action, makes three layers of snow and still keeps your original image intact. The snow it makes can then be tweaked, copied and saved for future use.
Instant Snow v2 now has four levels of snow effect. Blizzard, Heavy Snow, Light Snow and First Flakes.
If you create a photo using the Friday Freebie then let me (and everyone else) know by leaving the link in the comments below.
Usage rules The Photoshop Action is copyright Gavin Hoey 2018. Use is strictly limited to any personal but non-commercial purposes. A commercial license is available.
Please share the Friday Freebie by linking back to this page. Do not redistribute the original action without my permission.
When Kerry said she was available for a shoot, even though it was only August, we knew it should be a Halloween shoot. Not sure why but most of the models, make up artists and quite a lot of photographers love this theme!
Despite the scary look, this was such a fun shoot. Also the first time I’ve had to clear up blood drops and splatters from the studio walls and floor, thank goodness all fake!!
[youtube]https://youtu.be/ScVEJfBzOJ4[/youtube]
As you’ll see in the video, the blood used was tried out first. The one used for the closest skin contact, especially on the bandages close to Kerry’s eye, was homemade. I used a mix of runny honey, a little cornflour and some red food colour gel. As it was edible and Kerry likes honey!
It’s always fun when we get IF-E in the studio and this video was no exception. Gavin likes to push the boundaries and overcome the limitations of working in the same small space and this was another cracking example.
Some great lighting and obviously the smoke machine provide the right vibe for IF-E to bang out some lyrics and attitude (he’s great at that!).
The set up started with just one light progressing through to adding further lights for a variety of looks. The addition of smoke gives a different mood to the shots, as the smoke moves and dissipates the look changes.
I love shooting portraits outside on location but winter can pose problems. Changeable weather and short days don’t help but cold, wet weather are my nemesis. So perhaps it’s not surprising that I find myself spending more time in the studio at this time of year.
Being stuck in my studio doesn’t mean that I can’t also embrace winter and bring the outside inside. A great way to do that is to make it snow.
In the video below I walk you through both the lighting and Photoshop post processing.
UPDATE: Scroll down to see the gallery from the 2nd running of the Aviation Apocalypse in September 2016
Last Sunday (24th July 2016) was the first Aviation Apocalypse workshop and after months of planning, building and testing ideas and outfits, it was amazing to see it all come together.
The Gatwick Aviation Museum was the location for the workshop and I was joined by 14 enthusiastic photographers and two amazing models. In order to keep the groups small and the shooting time high, I roped in the help of Tommy Reynolds as a group leader who did a brilliant job passing on his ideas and passion for the shoot.
The theme for the morning was aviators. I worked with Roger who took on the role of a fighter pilot. The museums Buccaneer and Hunter aircraft were the backdrop and we were also granted special access to the Buccaneer’s cockpit.
Tommy and Kerry turned back the clock with a vintage, Amelia Earhart inspired look. Once again the museum came up trumps, allowing us access inside the Sea Prince aircraft and the chance to get some really great shots. The group also made great use of the shade found under the massive Shackleton.
After a spot of lunch and a change of look we took on the apocalypse part of the themed workshop.
I took Kerry into the workshop area of the museum where there was plenty of rust and a few ageing vehicles. Smoke and flash combined with a bit of camera know how to create some serious moody images.
Tommy found plenty of post-apocalyptic inspiration at the other end of the museum and Roger unleashed his inner and outer strength with amazing results.
There’s nothing more frustrating to me than seeing a workshop organiser shooting photos for themselves at the expense of the attendees. As a result I hardly have a single “good” photo from the day. Fortunately, the photographers who joined us took thousands of shots and below are a few that I’ve been sent so far.
By Emma Bothamley
By Emma Bothamley
By Peter Jillians
By Peter Jillians
By Andrew Prior
By Richard Barry
By Vanessa Parker
By Andrew Prior
By Emma Bothamley
By Andrew Prior
By Vanessa Parker
By Chris Brudenell
By Andrew Prior
By Peter Jillians
By Emma Bothamley
By Peter Jillians
By Richard Barry
By Michelle Essenson
By Michelle Essenson
By Emma Bothamley
By Vanessa Parker
By Chris Brudenell
By Vanessa Parker
By Emma Bothamley
By Peter Jillians
By Peter Jillians
By Richard Barry
By Chris Brudenell
By Michelle Essenson
By Chris Brudenell
By Michelle Essenson
UPDATE:
We ran the workshop for a second time in September. Once again I was joined by Roger and Kerry as our models and Tommy as my second group leader. This time the weather was a lot more apocalyptic with rain forcing us to spend the afternoon. Luckily the Gatwick Aviation Museum is great inside and out.
Below are a selection of photos from the 14 photographers who came along and made the whole day very enjoyable.
(top right of the screen)
