How to apply action in photoshop to multiple photos

Posted on

To apply an action to multiple photos in Adobe Photoshop, you can streamline your workflow by using the Batch command. This feature allows you to automate the application of actions to a folder of images, saving you time and effort, especially when dealing with a large number of photos that require the same edits or adjustments. Here’s how you can efficiently apply actions to multiple photos using Photoshop's Batch command.

Creating and Recording Actions

Before applying actions to multiple photos, you need to create and record the action you want to apply. Actions in Photoshop are sequences of recorded steps that can be applied to automate repetitive tasks. Here’s a brief overview of how to create and record actions:

  1. Open Photoshop: Launch Adobe Photoshop on your computer.

  2. Open an Image: Open an image file that you want to apply the action to.

  3. Open Actions Panel: Go to Window > Actions to open the Actions panel.

  4. Create New Action: Click on the Create new action button at the bottom of the Actions panel. Name your action and optionally assign it to a set (folder) for better organization.

  5. Record Actions: Click on the Record button. Perform the edits or adjustments on your image that you want to apply to other photos later. This could include adjustments like color correction, resizing, filters, etc.

  6. Stop Recording: Once you've completed recording your actions, click on the Stop button in the Actions panel.

Using the Batch Command

After you have created and recorded your action, you can use the Batch command to apply it to multiple photos:

  1. Prepare Your Photos: Place all the photos you want to apply the action to in a single folder. Ensure that these photos are in a format that Photoshop can open (JPEG, TIFF, etc.).

  2. Open Photoshop: Launch Adobe Photoshop.

  3. Navigate to Batch Command: Go to File > Automate > Batch....

  4. Set Source: In the Batch dialog box, first, choose the action you want to apply from the Play section. Then, under Source, select Folder from the dropdown menu.

  5. Select Folder: Click on the Choose... button next to Folder and navigate to the folder where your images are located.

  6. Choose Options: Set the Destination where you want Photoshop to save the processed images after applying the action. You can choose to Override Action "Save As" Commands if you want Photoshop to save directly without asking for confirmation.

  7. Run Batch: Click OK to run the batch operation. Photoshop will then apply the recorded action to each image in the specified folder automatically.

  8. Monitor Progress: Depending on the number of images and complexity of the action, Photoshop will process each image sequentially. You can monitor the progress in the Batch dialog box.

  9. Review Results: Once the batch operation is complete, review the processed images in the destination folder to ensure the action was applied correctly.

Additional Tips

  • Backup Originals: Before running batch operations, it's a good practice to backup your original images, especially if the action involves irreversible changes.

  • Test on Sample: Always test your action on a sample image first to ensure it produces the desired results before applying it to a large batch of photos.

  • Batch Naming: Use consistent file naming conventions or metadata to easily identify and organize processed images.

By following these steps, you can efficiently apply actions to multiple photos in Adobe Photoshop, enhancing your productivity and workflow when dealing with large batches of images.