110 Must download free Photoshop actions (And everything else you should know)

May 18th, 2020
Freebies

Free photoshop actions are an incredibly useful tool in the photo editing process. They allow you to apply the same image adjustments to multiple photos, saving you a significant amount of time and effort. With just a few clicks, you can apply the same photo effect to numerous images, allowing you to complete your editing tasks in just a fraction of the time that you would usually spend in the editing process within Photoshop.

This roundup of the best free Photoshop actions from across the web is an essential resource for designers and photo editors alike. You can download these actions and incorporate them into your design projects with ease. The post includes a wide variety of actions, from vintage effects to matte and film-style actions. No matter what your preferences are, you’re sure to find an action that’s suitable for your design project.

In addition to providing you with a comprehensive list of the best Photoshop actions available, this post also includes information on three fundamental aspects of using actions. You’ll learn how to install Photoshop actions, how to apply actions to your photos, and how to create your very own actions. By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll have a thorough understanding of how to use Photoshop actions to streamline your workflow and create stunning photos and designs.

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How to load and apply actions into Photoshop

We want to start of by selecting “Window > Actions” or Press “ALT +F9 “which is the shortcut key to open the Photoshop action panel. Then we want to select the hamburger menu icon which opens a popup menu where from their want to select this option “Load actions”. Then find the location where the action file is stored.

The action has now been loaded into Photoshop the next step is applying the action to your Photography. In the action panel we want to take a look at the action loaded into Photoshop. We then want to select the Photoshop action then press the play button and that will apply the effect to the Photo in Photoshop in matter of seconds. The process can be repeated to multiple photos to instantly apply the same effect.

How to create your very own Photoshop action

We want to start off by selecting Windows > Action to open the actions panels. We then want to select the record icon from this point forward any filters, adjustments etc we apply to our images will be recorded.

Where going to make a few adjustments to an image in Photoshop once we are happy with the final adjustments where going to hit the stop icon. We then have created an action we can apply the same effect to multiple photos in Photoshop.

We want to duplicate the existing layer. Then select filter Filter > Other > highpass change the high pass to be 5.0 then select the confirm button. We then want to change layer blend mode to be soft light, and bring down the opacity to 50%. Then finally we want to select the stop icon to stop the recording of our Photoshop action.

Now we have created our action we can now apply it to any photo. By simply opening a new photo and selecting the play icon.

Finally

Hopefully we have covered all basis in the post in terms everything you would possible need to know about Photoshop actions, as well a comprehensive list of the very best free Photoshop actions. Please do feel free to ask any question in the comments section below, or even share an awesome photoshop action not included in this post.

100 Must download free Photoshop actions:

1. Free Animated Glitch Photoshop Action

Turn your photo into a trendy animated glitch effect with this free Animated Glitch Photoshop Action. You can get a looping animated glitch that you can save as an animated GIF within few seconds. It can be used for portraits, illustrations, company logos, or anything that you think fits the style.

Free photoshop actions animated glitch effect

2. Free Instagram Photoshop Actions

3. Free Puzzle Pieces Actions

There is a total of 20 actions to cut out 2-192 puzzle pieces on separate layers. In this set actions are divided into several sub-groups depend on the aspect ratio with which actions work best. You have actions for images with 4:3, 5:4, 5:7, 3:2 and 1:1 aspect ratio (Width vs Height).

4. FREE OLD AND DIRTY action

This free preset/action gives you a black & white conversion with a slight twist. It gives photos a retro/vintage feel. Like all of our presets and actions it works with Lightroom 4, 5, 6, and CC as well as with Photoshop CC, CC 2014, and CC 2015.

5. HDR Photoshop Actions

6. Free Double Exposure Photoshop Actions

7. Pixelator

Skip the default Photoshop Mosaic filter and pixelate beautifully with this huge set of actions. These actions let you create stunning pixel patterns in different styles (triangle, diamond, and more!). It also comes with several border styles and color effects t

8. Tiny Planet Photoshop Action

Turn your photos into tiny planets in 2 seconds!

9. Free Comic Poster Photoshop Actions

Free Comic Poster Photoshop Actions is a time saver if you want a quick generator that turn your photo into a vintage comic style. This free actions is available in .ATN Photoshop Actions file which is simple to load and applied. They have been checked on different photos and work very well.

10. Bright Photoshop Actions

11. Free Summer Haze Photoshop Action

This Photoshop action, Turquoise Haze, is a free sample from our set of Summer Haze Photoshop Actions.

12. HDR Tools

New set has 4 actions, HDR Fix light, normal, heavy and Clicker.

13. Blue Evening

Blue Evening is a Photoshop action that is a part of our set of Touch of Drama Photoshop Actions. The full set includes 10 different actions for adding drama and intrigue to your photos.

14. Bella

Create a romantic, nostalgic feel with a pink cast.

bella2

15. Bella

Create a romantic, nostalgic feel with a pink cast.

16. Polanoid Generator

Creates a unique polaroid effect for you photos.

17. Bold B&W HDR

This free action you can easily apply a bold black & white HDR-inspired look to your photos.

bwhdr

18. Long Shadow Photoshop Action

There are a lot of Long Shadow Generator Actions for Photoshop but I am not satisfied with anyone of them because they don’t let you customize the shadow.

19. Free Glitch Effect Photoshop Action

Do you like that grunge, glitched look on old VHS tapes? Now you can create Corrupted VHS 3D Glitch Effect using our PSD Photoshop Kit.

20. Removing a White Background

Remove the background and then bring it to your design. I created some actions that use alpha channels to remove the white background.

21. 1930’s Glitter Text Effect

This action recreates the era of glitz and glam by putting these colorful sequins all over your text! You have the option of changing the color of your glitter, and when the action finishes all layers are in tact and placed into a handy layer set for maximum flexibility.

glitter

22. Free Bold Black & White

This Photoshop action will turn your color photos into bold and impressive black & whites.

23. Free Faded Film

This Photoshop action will give your photos a beautiful faded look reminiscent of photos taken with film.

24. Retro Cross

This free Photoshop action used a cross processed effect to give your photos a nice retro touch.

25. Sunset Photoshop Action

This free Adobe Photoshop action will allow you to enhance your sunset photos or give your photos the feel of being taken during golden hour or at sunset.

26. Vintage Matte

A unique matte effect.

27. Film Effect

Film-Inspired Photoshop Actions.

28. Free Cross Processed

Cross Processing Photoshop Actions.

29. Vintage Pro

An instagram style Photoshop action.

30. Lomo action

The action applies a lomo-inspired effect that works well with a wide variety of photos.

31. Vibrant Film

This preset/action gives photos a film type of look, and does so with vibrant colors.

32. HDR

This Photoshop action is a free sample from Faux HDR Actions – Vol. 2.

33. Artista

Create awesome artistic shots from your photos / images in few clicks! Save hours of work with this action, it’s easy to use just pick an image, brush the interested area and click play!

34. Photoshop Filters

This exclusive freebie is brought to you thanks to FilterLicious – a bundle of 15 delicious Photoshop filters, created with precision and love.

35. Cinematic Photo Effect

This collection of Cinematic Photoshop Actions contains 12 effects based on the colour grading aesthetics of popular movie genres, such as Horror, Western, Action, Romantic and more.

36. Dribbble optimized magnifier

An optimized magnifier.

37. Easy Watercolor Portrait – Free Action

This free Photoshop action is great to turn portrait images into watercolor portrait painting in seconds. Consist of ATN Photoshop Action format that is easy to install and to use.

38. Quick Neon Effect – Free Photoshop Actions

Add neon effect quickly in your text with this Photoshop action. Cute result and easy to use, just follow the instructions included in the download package.

39. Quick Neon Effect –

Add neon effect quickly in your text with this Photoshop action. Cute result and easy to use, just follow the instructions included in the download package.

40. Retro Effects & Polaroid Frame Generator

Add neon effect quickly in your text with this Photoshop action. Cute result and easy to use, just follow the instructions included in the download package.

41. Instant Hipster

10 Instagram Photoshop actions

42. Vintage Wedding

This Wedding Photoshop Actions Workflow gives you everything you need to professionally process your images. This premium bundle of Photoshop actions are designed for wedding photographers.

43. Black And White

This Wedding Photoshop Actions Workflow gives you everything you need to professionally process your images. This premium bundle of Photoshop actions are designed for wedding photographers.

44. Autumn Effects

This Autumn Effects Photoshop Actions Workflow gives you everything you need to professionally process your images. This premium bundle of Photoshop actions are designed for photographers.

45. Golden Glow Effect

Free Photoshop Action, turn your simple photographs to awesomeness, and also these action are Non-Destructive it means your original image is safe

46. 5 Beautiful Wedding Effects

These Photoshop actions simulate the popular subtle faded looks used in wedding photography and they’re extremely easy to use. Simply play one action and pick from any of the 5 effects.

47. Ultra Faded Light Leaks

Give your photos a retro and nostalgic feel with this pack of 24 actions; 12 ultra faded effects and 12 light leaks! These actions make your photos look like they were taken with on an lomo camera with expired films.

48. Pixelator

Give your photos a retro and nostalgic feel with this pack of 24 actions; 12 ultra faded effects and 12 light leaks! These actions make your photos look like they were taken with on an lomo camera with expired films.

49. Mystical light

A mystical light photo effect.

50. Hope

This photoshop action recreate the President Obamas Hope poster which is one of the most recognisable pieces of street art of all time. This poster was used during this presidential campaign in 2008.

51. Halftone Automator

This action doesn’t destroy your original image, and creates the halftone effect on a new transparent layer that is easy to modify and layer if desired.

52. Bold black white

It works in Photoshop CS3 and newer versions (not compatible with Photoshop Elements). Try it for yourself!

53. Faded Films

It works in Photoshop CS3 and newer versions (not compatible with Photoshop Elements). Try it for yourself!

54. Faux HDR free Photoshop action

A HDR effect is such a popular photo effect that is used very commonly among photographers. This free action can be downloaded and applied to your photographs to make an awesome visual impact on your photographs in a matter of seconds. Download and enjoy.

55. Hand drawn free Photoshop action effect

This is a single click Photoshop action, which will turn any photograph into a black and white hand sketched photo effect. Your original layer remains 100% untouched, the original photo will remain intact if you ever want to revert back to the original.

56. Old film

Give your photos a film-inspired look with this free Photoshop action.

57. Vintage Matte

Give your photos a film-inspired look with this free Photoshop action.

58. Black & White

This Photoshop action will turn your color photos into bold and impressive black & whites.

59. Lomo Action

Multiple hard lomo effects actions.

60. Haze

Soft Haze is ideal for outdoor photos, including portraits. It will soften and lighten the photo to give it a beautiful look without an overpowering effect.

61. HDR

This free Photoshop action will give your photos a strong HDR-like effect.

62. Retro Cross

This free Photoshop action used a cross processed effect to give your photos a nice retro touch.

63. Vintage Light Leak

This Photoshop action is a free Vintage Light Leak Actions.

64. Pencil

An authentic pencil effect action.

65. Retro Style

his latest set named RetroFilters contains 10 preconfigured Action files that will dramatically transform your photos with retro style effects inspired by classic 35mm film and processing techniques.

66. Sepia

Dramatic Sepia Photoshop Action

67. InfraRed

InfraRed Photography PhotoShop Action

68. Comic

This action will turn your images into comic looking pictures.

69. Cinema

This action is for giving your photos a cinema-like feel.

70. Faux HDR

You can replicate HDR effects with this set of amazing Photoshop actions.

71. Intensify

The download includes two different versions of the Tension action. One version is for Photoshop users (for PS CS4+) and a separate version is included for Photoshop Elements users (for PSE 11+).