Happy Friday Y'all! I have been taking a bit of a Spring break this week.
1 company + 2 blogs + 2 dogs + one 2 year old = I am exhausted. I just had to take a step back this week and gain some sanity. Does anyone else out there just need a minute from time to time? Well, happy 5 for $5.00 Friday! Guess what I have for you today? 5 Butterfly overlays! These are real pictures of real butterflies that you can add to your images quickly and easily. Each is on a transparent background and needs no effect other than placing. These are the perfect companion for Spring I (Action Set) that was released last week. They are also great for card making, graphics, and more. You can use the move tool to resize the overlays, change direction, or even use a Transform command to scale, distort, change perspective, skew, or warp them to fit into your image (although they tend to fit the first time). Add a layer mask to erase areas that appear behind your subject or Blur to blend them into your bokeh. These are as easy as it gets as far as overlays go! Grab them up now! Side note: {I encourage you to follow on Fridays as this Spring we we will release a Spring related set of effects each Friday that will help you build a full collection by June 21. After June 21, everything from Spring will be bundled into a collection and sold at a much higher price.} Butterfly Overlays
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Happy Spring! It's officially here! Enjoy the longer days, warmer temperatures, and baby animals. Especially butterflies. And white fluffy clouds. And rainbows. Because they are all coming your way this Spring in the form of Overlays! What spring would be complete without rainbows, butterflies, and sweet fluffy clouds to brighten our days...and images! Happy Spring! - Amy Founder Magic & Light Collection |
Happy Friday! Happy 5 for $5.00! Happy Spring! Tomorrow is the official start to Spring! I'll say it a day early though because I am hoping to spend the day with my sweet little girl doing having some Springy Spring fun. Today we have 5 Actions to get you started: Spring Clean Base, Spring Dreams, Pastel-erator, Sweet Cream Haze, and Color Pop Brush. Our goal this season (until June 21) is to release a Spring related set of Actions, Overlays, or Textures every week so that by the end of Spring you have a really comprehensive set of tools.
P. S. these are still perfect for summer!
P.P.S. these are perfect all year!
By the way...did you notice we got a nice little Spring facelift on the website? Yay. I am in love with it! Soon, we will be bringing you a whole page on the website dedicated to resources. This will be a page where you can browse our favorite fonts and other products to use in your business and on your website!
Let's go ahead and take a look at this brand new 5 for $5.00 product. Don't forget to stop by on Fridays to see what's new!
P. S. these are still perfect for summer!
P.P.S. these are perfect all year!
By the way...did you notice we got a nice little Spring facelift on the website? Yay. I am in love with it! Soon, we will be bringing you a whole page on the website dedicated to resources. This will be a page where you can browse our favorite fonts and other products to use in your business and on your website!
Let's go ahead and take a look at this brand new 5 for $5.00 product. Don't forget to stop by on Fridays to see what's new!
Spring I
Spring Clean Base Spring Clean Base will help you achieve a clean edit. A clean base on which to play your Actions or place your Overlays. This comprehensive Action boasts 9 layers and is our go-to tool for a clean edit all year. Spring Dreams A dreamy contrast Action designed to boost your colors, add contrast, and dreamy light all at the same time. This is one of our most used tools (all year). Pastel-erator Have you ever wondered how photographers convert colors to sweet, light, airy, pastels? Here you go! Our Pastel-erator will do the work for you. Instant pastels this Spring! Sweet Cream Haze No Spring edit is complete with a sweet creamy haze. Our Sweet Cream Haze Action will give you instant soft, dreamy, vintage-like haze. All Actions in this sweet little set are powerful tools that have full layer-masking capability and offer full control over each layer. |
Spring I
$5.00
FOR USE WITH ADOBE® PHOTOSHOP® CS4-6 + CREATIVE CLOUD®
FOR USE WITH ADOBE® PHOTOSHOP® ELEMENTS® 11-13
Spring I Action Set: Tips & Tricks
Spring Clean Base: All layers are set to 0% opacity. Simply slide the Opacity slider to adjust the effect up or down as needed on each layer. Start at the bottom and work your way up to a clean edit.
Color Pop Brush: Use a white brush to brush on brilliant color. If you aren't sure how to use layer masks, see our tutorial here.
Spring Dreams: Adjust the opacity up or down as needed. You may need to brush off the effect on the skin, eyes, and possibly the hair. If you aren't sure how to use layer masks, see our tutorial here.
Pastel-erator: Adjust the opacity of each layer using the opacity slider. If the effect is too much, brush it off the skin and hair (if needed)
Sweet Cream Haze: Adjust the opacity of each layer using the opacity slider. Brush the effect off of the face if needed. View our tutorial on how to use layer masks here.
Color Pop Brush: Use a white brush to brush on brilliant color. If you aren't sure how to use layer masks, see our tutorial here.
Spring Dreams: Adjust the opacity up or down as needed. You may need to brush off the effect on the skin, eyes, and possibly the hair. If you aren't sure how to use layer masks, see our tutorial here.
Pastel-erator: Adjust the opacity of each layer using the opacity slider. If the effect is too much, brush it off the skin and hair (if needed)
Sweet Cream Haze: Adjust the opacity of each layer using the opacity slider. Brush the effect off of the face if needed. View our tutorial on how to use layer masks here.
Hey, Hey! Happy Tuesday! We have had a lot going on this week here at MLC. Getting ready for Spring around here means coming up with some new Actions and Overlays for you. With Spring officially four days away, we are in overdrive getting everything ready! Is anyone else incredibly excited? Speaking of Spring products, the image above was edited with a brand new Action called Wanderlust....Im in love...lust...love...yeah love. I can't wait to share this new set with you when it is finished. Oh by the way, Happy St. Patricks Day! Don't forget to download our new Limerick Action and Rainbow Overlay...for FREE! You can get the new Action and Overlay HERE. Let's get started learning how to add text in Photoshop. This tutorial also works for Elements.
Step 1: Open Your Image
File > Open > Choose Your Image | I chose this image from a new Spring product line and applied the Wanderlust Action (coming soon). I created a beautiful color block using the $5.00 Magic Finish© Set, and added a new paper with texture (coming soon). |
Step 2: Choose Your Font & Size
Select The Text Tool, located on the left of the screen. | Select the font you would like to use. My new favorite is Butterscotch from Creative Market (see below). I also love Country Chic. I usually pair them with Avenir Light or Avenir Next Medium. | Choose the font size. |
My two new favorite fonts!
Both of these fonts are available at Creative Market really cheap. I have both and recommend/love them! Click the images to head over to Creative Market and check them out (plus more...trying not to spend the whole day! haa haa)
Step 3: Start Applying Text
Hover over the area you would like the text to appear. Click and the begin to write your message. If you need to move the text simply select the move tool and move it wherever needed.
Step 4: Customize The Color Of The Text
Highlight the text by clicking and dragging over the area. Click the color picker at the top (it is a colored rectangle (shown below). Choose a color that compliments or contrasts with you image by using the eyedropper (your mouse cursor has now turned into and eyedropper) and select colors in the image until you find what you like. Your done!
More Photoshop Tutorials
From time to time Magic and Light Collection recommends products or services. We may earn a commission for this. MLC only recommends products that we use ourselves or would purchase from companies we know and trust.
Magic and Light Collection is an affiliate of Creative Market. Disclosure and Privacy Policy.
Magic and Light Collection is an affiliate of Creative Market. Disclosure and Privacy Policy.
Two Free New Effects for St. Patricks Day!
Limerick Action and Rainbow Overlay!
Available for Adobe® Photoshop® & Elements® 11-13
First of all, Happy Saturday! We are super excited to be releasing a brand new Freebie in honor of St. Patricks Day! St. Patties day happens to be my daughters birthday. Is that lucky or what? I'm sure that's going to be really interesting when she turns 21. This is my scared face ---> :-/
We have two effects for you. One is an Action named Limerick. This Action is amazing and complex with 7 fully editable, masked layers. It is smooth and almost vintage.
We have two effects for you. One is an Action named Limerick. This Action is amazing and complex with 7 fully editable, masked layers. It is smooth and almost vintage.
Rainbow is a totally frivolous, awesome, overlay. We admit that the file looks super cheesy when it comes to you, but it truly works, and that's what matter (hee hee).
We recommend using it on Screen, Soft Light, or Overlay blending modes and then using the Move Tool to adjust it and manipulate it around your image.
This awesome little set is available for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements 11-13.
Here is a quick note about some changes at MLC: We are moving away from Facebook. In the past, we have released free products to Facebook users. We don't like what Facebook has done recently to businesses (find out more here) and we are moving away from their service.
Instead, we are offering our free products to subscribers of our mailing list. This is a better way for you to get news and more free products from MLC.
We recommend using it on Screen, Soft Light, or Overlay blending modes and then using the Move Tool to adjust it and manipulate it around your image.
This awesome little set is available for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements 11-13.
Here is a quick note about some changes at MLC: We are moving away from Facebook. In the past, we have released free products to Facebook users. We don't like what Facebook has done recently to businesses (find out more here) and we are moving away from their service.
Instead, we are offering our free products to subscribers of our mailing list. This is a better way for you to get news and more free products from MLC.
Click here to subscribe to our mailing list and download your
FREE St. Patricks Day Action and Overlay!
FREE St. Patricks Day Action and Overlay!
All of our gorgeous 5 for $5.00 products are available for purchase below, simply click the image you are interested in to be taken directly to the product.
Here at MLC, we are gearing up for Spring and you know what that means! Beautiful, light, airy, Spring Actions and Overlays. Sweet Skies will be retiring in the next two weeks and it's replacement is nothing short of BEAUTIFULLY AMAZING! It has taken over a year to complete this new collection! For now, Sweet Skies is value priced for retirement!
This spring, we will have amazing real butterflies, clouds, word overlays, and so more to help you create magic for your clients. We are so excited to be bringing these new products to the MLC customers. We are so happy and proud to be a resource for photographers all over the world.
Let the countdown to Spring begin! -Amy, Founder
Here at MLC, we are gearing up for Spring and you know what that means! Beautiful, light, airy, Spring Actions and Overlays. Sweet Skies will be retiring in the next two weeks and it's replacement is nothing short of BEAUTIFULLY AMAZING! It has taken over a year to complete this new collection! For now, Sweet Skies is value priced for retirement!
This spring, we will have amazing real butterflies, clouds, word overlays, and so more to help you create magic for your clients. We are so excited to be bringing these new products to the MLC customers. We are so happy and proud to be a resource for photographers all over the world.
Let the countdown to Spring begin! -Amy, Founder
Light Bokeh© | Bubble Bokeh© |
I just want to tell you how beautiful the crack of dawn can be. That moment the sun rises and starts our busy days.
Take a moment, in the middle of the week to drink in the silence of dawn and be mesmerized by the worlds beauty.
Happy Tuesday! -Amy, Founder Magic & Light Collection
Take a moment, in the middle of the week to drink in the silence of dawn and be mesmerized by the worlds beauty.
Happy Tuesday! -Amy, Founder Magic & Light Collection
Step 1: Open the image you want to work with.
Step 2: Extend The Canvas Size
Choose Image>Canvas Size from the Menu at the top of the screen. For my purposes, I want to extend my canvas to the right, I click on the left side of the Anchor box to push the canvas extension to the right. Make sure you click on the opposite of what you want to do. If you want to extend down, click the top of the box. If you want to extend left, make sure you click the right side of the box. I want to change my dimensions to be double the original width. I multiplied the existing pixels by two, and typed the numbers in the box. Click Ok, and the canvas will expand. | This is the original size of my image. It is displayed in inches, but I want to see the dimensions in pixels. Change your dimensions to pixels by clicking the box to the right of the height and width field and selecting pixels. |
Step 3: Blend The Color Of The New Canvas Size
We need to make a solid color adjustment layer. In the layers panel, choose the half black, half white, circle. Then choose Solid Color. Just choose whatever color comes up and press OK.
Next, select the brush tool, set the brush hardness to 0%, and then select the solid square to the left of the layer mask.
Double click on the square of color in the new layer you have just created. Select a color with the color picker that is closest to the edge of the original image. Next, select the black layer mask, and make sure that you are working with a white brush. See our tutorial on using layer masks if you aren't sure. Brush over the area outside your original image making sure that the edge becomes concealed and the image is seamless.
It should look like this when you are finished!
Happy 5 for $5.00 Friday!!!! Today we have 5 light overlays to help you add a little magic to your images. These are formatted in Sunset colors and can be used in Screen and Soft Light Blending Modes and can be turned down or used on full opacity. Simply add a layer mask and erase the effect where it isn't flattering. These overlays are the ultimate easy to use set and are available for all versions of Adobe© Photoshop© and Elements©
On a side note, I thought I would remind everyone that the 5 Tones Of Winter Action Set and 5 Winter Overlays will only be available until March 21st! That's only a few days away, so grab them up before their gone!
On a side note, I thought I would remind everyone that the 5 Tones Of Winter Action Set and 5 Winter Overlays will only be available until March 21st! That's only a few days away, so grab them up before their gone!
Guess what? I started a food blog!
I don't do portraits anymore or take on commercial jobs and so I have been struggling to find my photo groove for the last year or so. I think I have finally found it in food photography and styling. I love it. Do you know what I love the most? There are no people involved. No skin tones to get right, no...people...to deal with. It's peaceful.
Here at MLC, we released Essential Food Photography (Action Set) about a month ago. This set is amazing. Editing food photography has truly never been easier or faster. In working with it everyday, I am always excited and amazed at how quickly I can process images.
I don't do portraits anymore or take on commercial jobs and so I have been struggling to find my photo groove for the last year or so. I think I have finally found it in food photography and styling. I love it. Do you know what I love the most? There are no people involved. No skin tones to get right, no...people...to deal with. It's peaceful.
Here at MLC, we released Essential Food Photography (Action Set) about a month ago. This set is amazing. Editing food photography has truly never been easier or faster. In working with it everyday, I am always excited and amazed at how quickly I can process images.
"Editing food photography has never been easier or faster"
Here is todays post over on the food blog (FoodieFoodster.com). The before image is a typical RAW image, really dull.
The new Essential Food Photography Action set allowed me to edit this image in less than a minute. The colors are amazing and the lighting is smooth and even. The first step is to run the Image Cleaner, this is an Action that mimics Camera RAW and allows to quickly produce a clean edit without the guess work. You play the Action and then simply slide the sliders until your image is perfect.
Notice that the shadows on the right side of the first plate are gone. That is thanks to the "Fill Flash Brush" included with the set. You simply brush on areas that need to be brightened! It is not simply a Light Brush, but rather a brush that brightens the shadows in the areas where you may have needed a reflector or...a fill flash (but don't ever use flash on your food photography)
A detailed list of all 33 Actions and 3 storyboards included is provided on the Essential Food Photography page, it is available for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements 11-13.
On this image, I also used the 5 for $5, Magic Finish© Actions to get that great color bar on the left of the image.
If you are interested in the food blog, head over to FoodieFoodster.com
Notice that the shadows on the right side of the first plate are gone. That is thanks to the "Fill Flash Brush" included with the set. You simply brush on areas that need to be brightened! It is not simply a Light Brush, but rather a brush that brightens the shadows in the areas where you may have needed a reflector or...a fill flash (but don't ever use flash on your food photography)
A detailed list of all 33 Actions and 3 storyboards included is provided on the Essential Food Photography page, it is available for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements 11-13.
On this image, I also used the 5 for $5, Magic Finish© Actions to get that great color bar on the left of the image.
If you are interested in the food blog, head over to FoodieFoodster.com
Love the font? It is called Country Chic and you can find it at Creative Market!
One thing I have learned over the last 5 years of blogging is that the images can make or break you. This is especially true in food blogging but translates across the web. Essential Food Photography has applications that transcend use for food bloggers, have you ever considered taking pictures for restaurants or hotels? They need images of their food for menus!
I will tell you a little secret that I learned when I stopped taking portraits and started doing commercial.
I will tell you a little secret that I learned when I stopped taking portraits and started doing commercial.
"There are a million portrait photographers"
Portrait photographers are a dime a dozen. While I feel like there is room for everyone and their unique style, the market is saturated with portrait photographers. If you feel interested in commercial photography i.e. Real Estate Photography, Product Photography, Food Photography, etc. the market is wide open. Before I left my commercial photography business to work on MLC full time, I didn't even have time for portraits because the commercial side of my business was so busy. There was no one else in my area that did Real Estate Photography, and all of the business landed in my lap. I literally started a job for myself out of nowhere that became the foundation of my business, and provided a full time income. I know the same principles ring true for Food Photography. The options are endless, restaurants, hotels, etc. all need professionally rendered images specific to their own menus (which is something stock photography cannot provide).
The opportunities for photographers that want to build their businesses and branch outside of portrait photography are endless!
The opportunities for photographers that want to build their businesses and branch outside of portrait photography are endless!
Step 1: Open Your Image
Step 2: Select The Area You Want To Keep
Pictured, Quick Selection Tool | Using the Quick Selection Tool (pictured left) with the + selected at the top of the screen, begin to select the area you would like to keep by clicking the area and dragging the mouse. If you have gone too far, select the - at the top of the screen and repeat the same clicking and dragging motion. Continue to use the + and - until the area you have selected is correct. |
Step 3: Remove The Background In One Click!
In the Layers Panel, find the layer mask tool. Click it one time, this will instantly remove the background!
SPOILER ALERT: There is a selfie of me somewhere in this post. The first person to find it and email us gets one of these sets for FREE. UPDATE: We have winner! Thanks to everyone who participated!
Two Brand new Mini Action Sets for Adobe Photoshop & Elements
Here at MLC, we are launching a brand new product line called "Magic-Mini's". All new Magic Mini's will be priced under $40.00 and will have a varying number of Actions included. This will be a great place for beginners to start working without a huge investment, and for pro's to start a collection of value-priced products to shorten their workflow.
Last night, we released two new products, Magic Smile and Magic Eyes. Both are derivatives of the larger Portrait Magic Action Set. Incidentally, both of these Magic Mini Sets are very easy to use. All you need to know is how to use layer masks. If you aren't sure what that means or how to use layer masks, we have provided tutorials here that work for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
Last night, we released two new products, Magic Smile and Magic Eyes. Both are derivatives of the larger Portrait Magic Action Set. Incidentally, both of these Magic Mini Sets are very easy to use. All you need to know is how to use layer masks. If you aren't sure what that means or how to use layer masks, we have provided tutorials here that work for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
Magic Smile©
Achieve a beautiful, bright, white, smile in seconds. This set is composed of two Actions, Magic Smile (3 layers) and Lip Color. Beginners will finally be able to get the white teeth they have been trying to achieve and pro's will love the shortened workflow. Getting white teeth has never been easier!
Magic Eyes©
Seven essential Actions, designed to make your clients eyes pop! Brighten The Iris, Darken The Limbal Ring, Boost The Color, Catch The Lights, Brighten The Whites, Erase The Yellow, Define The Lashes, and Sharpen. This Magic Mini Set includes everything you need to create stunning eyes. This mini-set is a small sampling of what is available in the Portrait Magic Action Set. Here's a secret: I even use this on my iPhone pics (scroll to the bottom for a picture of me {everyone please don't say yay at once})!
As promised...an iPhone pic of ME! Yeahyeahyeahyeah...don't laugh. I used Magic Eyes and Magic Smile. I even used the lash definer on my hair. I needed a last minute picture for one of my blogs and these two Magic Mini's really helped me take a quick pic and get it done. Now stop laughing. I'm thinking it's time for a real headshot. -Amy |
Hi! I'm Amy,
a former commercial photographer turned Mom-tographer. I started Magic And Light Collection 8 years ago and have loved watching it grow over the years! I am currently working hard on raising those littles, and sharing all the Photoshop shortcuts that help me work smarter, and not harder!
a former commercial photographer turned Mom-tographer. I started Magic And Light Collection 8 years ago and have loved watching it grow over the years! I am currently working hard on raising those littles, and sharing all the Photoshop shortcuts that help me work smarter, and not harder!
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