What are some great actions?

[Jennifer Vargas]

I was just wondering if there are some actions you just can't live without. I feel like I have way too many and it seems to get laborous when processing my pics because I am going through so many actions. Any suggestions?

[jinx (@jinximages)]

TRA. I could live without all my other actions (and they fill my screen in button mode). Just love them. http://www.gettotallyrad.com

[jinx (@jinximages)]

Since nobody else has posted anything yet, I'll add another (and these ones are free). The Pioneer Woman has two sets of really nice actions, made in part by the same author of the TRA sets (of which there are also free ones available if you go to their site, along with Lightroom presets). I use some of these regularly in my client work.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2010/03/actions-update-2/

[jinx (@jinximages)]

Marcus Bell also has some great actions. I haven't really used them much though, because the TRA ones are just so good. I got them on a whim, but I know some people who swear by them.
http://www.photographersresources.com/_product_57699/Essential_Actions_Vol_1

[jinx (@jinximages)]

I know a lot of photogs who swear by Jinky's actions. Again though, people tend to lean towards either TRA or Jinky - I don't know too many people who use both.
http://www.ittybittyactions.com/

[Jennifer Vargas]

Wow Jinx...thanks so much! Do you know anything about MCP or Itty Bitty? I feel like my Photoshop is getting overloaded with actions that I don't even use, but I'm not ready to trash them yet @jinximages

[jinx (@jinximages)]

@filo13 Itty Bitty are Jinky's actions, so, not much to say other than that they are very nice. I prefer TRA, but know plenty who love Jinky. I used to use MCP, until I found TRA. I don't even know if I still have backups of the MCP actions anymore, because I simply stopped using them. I hope that helps. :)

[Jennifer B.]

I'm new to post processing. I have CS4. Are these easy for someone to figure out how to use? :) I guess I could jump in and see and then come back with questions.

And wow, the Pioneer Woman does photography too? Goodness. She's quite a cooking celebrity in these parts; she's a fellow Oklahoman.

[Jennifer B.]

OK, so actions are comparable to a macro in computer/IT lingo, right? I'm from more of a techie background. Just trying to get my terminology straight. :)

[Jennifer Vargas]

@jjsooner I am going to say yes that they are comparable to a macro since you can record your own if you want.

[Jennifer Vargas]

@jinximages Which TRA's do you use the most? I have them all, but haven't experimented with most of them

[jinx (@jinximages)]

@filo13 All of them! :) There are probably a half dozen that I don't use, but the vast majority all find their way into my work.

[Dayna Titus]

I love Lilyblue! I don't use actions exclusively though... for me, I start out with RAW presets, sometimes use an action at a very low opacity and then tweak it alot from there. I really never use just an action and then say "ok I'm done."