Hodgified...NoBs!

[ACArmstrong]

Okay - I picked the actions today and I've been playing with old photos all afternoon - holy [expletive deleted]! This too much fun!

Here's an example. The first is the original shot - the second is after a few actions and some touching up.

[opus]

Holy Expletive Deleted! ;) What fun!

I have been planning to pick up the NoBs package myself but couldn't settle on which package I want. I can't wait to get mine!!!!

[JBlake]

can anyone tell me what the NoBS package is and how to get it? Nice image and touch up, Andy

[berrywise]

http://www.nobsphotosuccess.com/


Hodgy, a member of this forum, and I think his former boss created a bunch of photoshop actions that you can use on your photos to give them different looks. I picked up the complete action package for something like 40 dollars.

So far the most used one of the bunch for me is the Softar action. It gives a real soft look on the majority of the photo but outlines the major edges of the photos (like someone's eyes & mouth etc) and keeps those sharp.

[ACArmstrong]

That's it! http://www.nobsphotosuccess.com/

The touch up on this photo consisted of the Softar action and then taking a step back, erasing out some areas that I wanted to be real sharp - followed by the DEFOG action. Then I dodged the light in the eyes and on the lips just a little bit more.

[Lara]

Hodgy has a web site and you can view or order the NoBS programs from there.

His web site is listed in his profile. http://hodginsphotography.com/links.html

Here's a link to the software. http://www.nobsphotosuccess.com/actions.html

Love your work Hodgy!

[ACArmstrong]

Another example:

[ACArmstrong]

And another:

[Hodgy]

Hey, these are all fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for purchasing them. I'll add each of you to our mailing list, (I'll use the email address that you purchased the actions with). Cheers all, any questions, just ask.

[opus]

Hodgy, I think I'm already on your mailing list. I was there last week and I looked at everything. I like it all.

[Lara]

Sorry bout that Andy. I must have been looking up the url and was posting just after you already posted the link. I didn't catch yours.

[schrackman]

do I get kickback for the referrals? hehe

seriously, great images Andy. You used just enough to smooth out the imperfections. They were great before but now they're "greatly enhanced".

Ray

[Todd Patten]

While I definitely like these actions, I was wondering if one could not do these rather easily themselves. Is it not simply adding a duplicate layer, doing a g-blur, then going in with a history brush to clear up the areas where you want sharpness?

Just curious. Obviously, the results are fantastic -- there's no denying that.

[Hodgy]

yup Todd, you probably could, but the softar is a little more complex than that it's actually over 25 steps. What's nice about cheap actions is that the work is already done.

[Todd Patten]

No question! It get's to be a pain in the butt when you have to do those steps with 10, 15, 20 images. The Softar definitely would save a tremendous amount of time.

[natatbeach]

do I get kickback for the referrals? hehe

seriously, great images Andy. You used just enough to smooth out the imperfections. They were great before but now they're "greatly enhanced".

Ray

hey I think I may have a copyright for the word hodgification pending unless hodgy already did that...

[brianc]

I have been on the fence for the Hody factor. I don't really know why. maybe it's my landscape roots. I don't see the need for soft.

Mabye it's the thought process of an up coming portaiture or the "on the road booze", I can see the appeal of the "soft" filter if you don't have a dedicated lense.

[ACArmstrong]

I have been on the fence for the Hody factor. I don't really know why. maybe it's my landscape roots. I don't see the need for soft.

Mabye it's the thought process of an up coming portaiture or the "on the road booze", I can see the appeal of the "soft" filter if you don't have a dedicated lense.

I think it just depends on what you're going for in your portraiture. I end up with some very pretty women in my studio - they're looking for fashion/glamour-type shots to show off with. In that kind of portrait soft helps the overall mood and it simultaneously covers of lots and lots of flaws that the women didn't want in their photographs in the first place.

Now, if I were shooting an urban setup - I would want a gritty, harsh look, so it just depends on what I'm going for.

Will I use these actions on every photo I take? Probably not, but none the less they are fun to play with and they do produce some wonderful results.

Just my .02!

[Hodgy]

Mr. Armstrong is right, I wouldn't use the soft on a landscape, I sure the hell didn't when I used to shoot them. My softar is for people, at least in my business. You can use it on anything to create a moode or selective focus (like Natatbeach's flower). The images I post here I enhanced, but I don't enhance everyone LOL. Some things are just kept to the simpliest forms.

[JBlake]

Thanks for all the explanations. I ordered the full package today...and then did a dumb thing. this is a copy of what I sent to the webmaster of nosbsphotosuccess today:

Ok, I admit it. I am an idiot. I just purchased the entire download package, as seen by the e-mail below, and then went to a brief meeting. When I came back a few moments later, I noticed that the browser window was still loading, and without thinking, I closed the browser. So I have just spent 129.00 with nothing to show. Can you help me?

Hopefully they can come to my rescue and i can get started playing with the various actions. I am posting this here so that maybe Hodgy or someone else will see it sooner, and be able to respond.

Thanks again.

[Hodgy]

I'll take care of it. In the future, just email me. All will be right. LOL

[shesells]

I'll take care of it. In the future, just email me. All will be right. LOL

I would love to get your actions and will. I have a question though, will I be able to tell what steps are actually being done. I'm fascinated with learning guru type stuff for photoshop and I hope the actions show the details so I can try it manually on other shots. Soon as you answer, I'll buy them..heh whether its yes or no.
~ Kit

[Hodgy]

yup, you can break down any action and see what process is taking place.

[shesells]

yup, you can break down any action and see what process is taking place.

I went to buy the bundle, but just read on the site that it won't be shipped till Sept. 1..um sheesh! any way around this? I can't afford the instant package, or I would get that one.
let me know if you can.
~ Kit

[Hodgy]

The instant package is the bundle. You can't afford the bundle but you can afford the package that is shipped? I think you missread. The instant bundle is the $129 for the actions, the 172 page manual on photoshop techniques, posing guide............

the action bundle is $45. Both of these are instant downloads.