Using good actions during the editing process transforms dull photos into stunning pictures that get noticed. I'm excited to be giving away a download of RadLab today (valued at $149) and sharing my experience with the Best Actions for Food Photography and even Portrait/Lifestyle Photography too!
Knowing how to set up a shot and get the right lighting is important for good photography. But honestly, I've learned that good editing skills can compensate when things don't go exactly right during a photo shoot.
Food photography can be especially challenging because no matter how good that food tastes or how well developed and tested the recipe is, if the photo doesn't make the food look delicious, then most people won't bother to read on to see the recipe, let alone take the time to try it in their own kitchen. There has been a lot written about styling food photos and lighting, but I think more people need to hear about the great Photoshop/LightRoom/Elements tricks and tips that can take your photography to the next level.
I've written here before about my editing process when a photo is poorly lit and comes out of the camera looking less than appealing and how I edit Food Photos in Photoshop. I mentioned in that post how much I love Totally Rad Actions, in fact I use Totally Rad Actions every single day. The TR web sharpen action, Yin Yang, and Warm it Up Kris are essential steps in my editing process and many of my pictures benefit from a little of the TR Oh Snap! action too.
But while I still love those Totally Rad Actions, I've got something even better for you today! Let me tell you about RadLab - it's rocking my world right now.
RadLab by Totally Rad is an editing processor that you use within Photoshop, Lightroom, or Elements. The screenshot above is what it looks like when you open a picture in RadLab. From there, it has everything you need to quickly and easily edit your photo. Not only does it include all of my favorite actions and tools, it has 80 different effects that you can mix and match to create the look you want and all the basic brightening, sharpening tools you'll need for food photography and more.
If you look to the right hand column of the screenshot above, you'll see the different effects I applied to this photo. These few effects are for the most part what I use everyday to edit photos. But where Radlab gets really awesome is when you start using what they call "Recipes." For example, in the photo above I used:
- "Lights On" at 44% to adjust the exposure
- "Oh, Snap!" at 100% to adjust contrast and saturation and really make the photo pop
- "Highlight Separator" at 51% so those white blobs of cream cheese didn't wash out
- "Go Go Saturation!" at 20% to brighten those colors just a bit more.
When I finished, I saved this combination of effects as a "Recipe" and then I just pushed one button to apply it to all the rest of the photos from this shoot. I had all the photos for this recipe completely edited and ready to go in less than 20 minutes. Genius! (Not me, RadLab.)
You can make your own recipes, you can share recipes with other photographers, you can download free recipes from the Totally Rad site. Not only is this a huge time saver but it goes a long way towards helping you develop a personal style that is easy to maintain. This is food photography made beautiful and easy!
I am really loving RadLab and I've used it every day for weeks now in my food photography and my own personal and portrait photography. The best part is that you don't have to take my word for it, you can try it free for 14 days - just go here. You can see more samples of all the effects and read more about RadLab and their other presets and actions on the Totally Rad site.
Also, it's not just for food photographers, it's great for editing any kind of photography, whether you're a professional, a hobbyist, or you just want to take pictures of your kids. Here's a little sample of some of the ways I've used it on my own kids' photos. 
And after just a few clicks in RadLab, I have my own sweet little Rory four different ways - with some vintage color (Skinny Jeans), my normal brighten and sharpen routine, a black and white recipe I downloaded from the TR website called "Citizen," and another vintage look that made me think of those old toy cameras. So much fun to play around with and such an easy way to take your photos to the next level! You definitely do not need to be any sort of expert to be able to figure out this simplified editing program.
Now, for that GIVEAWAY!
Totally Rad is offering a complimentary download for RadLab, valued at $149, to one lucky Some the Wiser reader. Enter below:
Totally Rad sent me RadLab for review purposes. However, I have been a Totally Rad customer, fan, and daily user for years now. All opinions are entirely my own and I fully stand behind these awesome products!
Leslie says
The first thing I thought of after reading your post was grandbaby photos
Tiffany P says
I mostly take photos of my three kids, but this year our goal is to make a family cookbook, and take photos of the kids helping me cook and the meals they prepare, to give as gifts and keep as a family treasure.
Lyndsey says
Actions are the best! I'm interested in food and portrait photography.
Erin Ellis says
I take photography of my artwork, and also our children. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Grace says
I really need something to step up my editing game. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Sabrina says
Thanks for sharing your photo editing tips! I use photoshop and lightroom but never heard of Radlab! Very cool...
Sarah says
Those actions definitely look nice and flexible - and food photography is certainly where much of my interest lies. That and my lovely nieces!
Amy S says
Although we are not food photographers, we do love to take tons of photos of grand kids, our mountain property, family. This would be an amazing program to have. Thank you for the giveaway!
Patty says
The photo editing tips were great! ….but, what a treat to see that little guy. You have beautiful children.
Trisha says
I love to photograph my baby boy, and also photos for my blog!
Bertrand De Peaza says
Cool love these presets will coming very handy with edits of my food, exec portraits and magazine work.
Sabrina says
Love these tools! I need all the PS help I can get!
Jenifer says
Thanks for the tips. Will definitely check out RadLab!
Samantha says
I love family photos, capturing my kids young innocent faces, especially with natural light.
Ida Z says
I sell handmade crochet items & would love to take better pics of my products for advertising purposes. Also more pics of my kiddos !!!!
Elizabeth says
I'm most interested in food photography! However, this tool looks great for all types of photos! Thanks for the overview and the giveaway!
Brianna @Flippin' Delicious says
RadLab sounds like an awesome time saver!
Julie says
Everyday photos 🙂 from the iPhone because that's all I shoot with nowadays
Jonathan says
I am mostly interested in personal photography.
Tammy says
I've been searching for a really good and reliable photo service like this for all my food photos. OMG I am amazing at how great my photos look after starting the free trial of Radlab. Thank you so much for this great post!! And thank you for the giveaway! ^_^
harmony says
I'd be using these for children and family photography alongside lightroom 🙂
Marissa says
I would love to edit more of my daughter's photos. Thanks for the giveaway!
Molly says
I'd love to really transform the images on the blog I've started keeping. It's about education and observation and much about the natural environment, and I know that editing tools can help clarify and adjust to display what we see in the best of light.
Kylene says
I would LOVE this. I am just getting started with photography and would love a tool to help me edit my pics easier. I mostly take pics of my kids, outings we go on, yummy foods we eat, pretty scenery.
Jen V says
I really hope I win this!!! I take a ton of pictures of my kids - but I also really love to take pictures of nature
Alyssa E says
I love taking nature photos! It amazes me how beautiful the world is.
Holly says
I would love to see how this works with Elements! Finding more/simpler ways to improve my pictures with a click of a button would be great!
Dana says
Wow - this sounds great! Who doesn't want to up their food photography skills? Seems like a great tool!
Rose Davidson says
I like to take travel pictures for my recently started blog - http://travelcheapadvice.com/
I know that every picture i take is better when I edit!!! Love to have this product.
Mica @ Let's Taco Bout It Blog says
This looks fantastic. I love using photoshop actions for editing my photos. Really cuts the time down.
Shreyashi says
This is a great giveaway and I hope I get it 😛 To be honest, editing is such an essential aspect of us novices. Yes, you can get it in the shot at first but we all know that things require to be tweaked from time to time.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
As a food blogger, I'm all about FOOD!
Lisa says
Wow, looks like it makes a huge difference!
Heather @ The Spicy Apron says
The before and after pics look great! Can't wait to get my hands on this product.
DJ says
This looks awesome. Interested in family photography.
BreAnn says
I would love to use it for family photos 🙂
Brenda says
I love to eat food but I take lots of snapshots of kids and travels.. I can absolutely use some editing help!
Dale says
This is great. I like wildlife photography.. Thanks Allison
Dorothy says
My vacation and travel photos can use some "action".