Photoshop Lomography Photo Action
Posted by Emanuele Feronato on 06/11/06 in Photoshop
I am always looking for nice effects to give to my photos.
The “Lomo” effect is one of them.
From Wikipedia: Lomography is a commercial trademark of Lomographische AG, Austria for products and services related to photography. The name is licensed from a former state-run optics company LOMO PLC in St. Petersburg, Russia. The 35 mm LOMO LC-A camera employed an unusual lens which produced large amounts of distortion at the edges of the image whilst keeping the center sharp, and was promoted by businessmen from Austria with international gallery shows.
Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Accidents such as over-saturated colors, lens artifacts, and exposure defects are rehabilitated to produce swirly, abstract effects — a trait emphasized by practitioners. Others use the technique to document everyday life, because the small camera size and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography, photo reportage and photo vérité.
The lens effect (although perhaps not the philosophy) can be partially emulated in photo-editing programs, such as Gimp or Photoshop.
Why not creating an action that to automatically emulate Lomography? Here it is!!!
I divided the action into two parts: the first one with just saturation/brightness/contrast adjustments, and the second one with edge blurring.
Before

after saturation/brightness/contrast adjustments

final result

If you use this action and are satisfied of the result, please tell me where to find your before/after photos to add them to my example page, and help me with your feedback.
This is a photo sent me by Tim Stet (www.timstet.nl) using my lomography action

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Daniel Redick | Jul 5, 2006 | Reply
Kool effect bro…works GREAT!!! i’ve been looking for just that type of effect for a while..thanks
ray | Jul 23, 2006 | Reply
Does this .atn work with PS 8 on OSX ?
The preset manager won’t load the .atn..
Any help / guidance appreciated !
Cheers,
Ray
Emanuele Feronato | Jul 24, 2006 | Reply
Sorry I cant’ test it on a OSX at the moment.
Did anyone test it?
Asif Iqbal | Jul 27, 2006 | Reply
F***in’ Awesome Man!! Just Lomo-ed a pic it looks real cool. This effect makes it look so damn agressive. I’m gonna do it on all my pics.
Thanks for this. Thanks a lot, mate. Will post a link when I’m done and uploaded them all.
Asif Iqbal | Jul 27, 2006 | Reply
I am a Photoshop newbie. And there’s this dialog box that comes before the last one. What can I do about it?
THE COMMAND “LENS BLUR” IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.
Is this an error? Am I missing some filter/effect?
Emanuele Feronato | Jul 27, 2006 | Reply
I am happy you enjoyed it.
Why don’t you send me a pic or two?
About lens blur, I am afraid it’s only available on CS and higher.
Simply skip it or replace with gaussian blur.
Let me know what are you doing.
Eduardo | Jul 31, 2006 | Reply
Hi,
I tried on Mac Os X and it works great.
Congratulations…. and Thanks.
Some of your actions are in working here in brazil now….
Tim Stet | Aug 19, 2006 | Reply
Hello there,
I am a photographer that for work, practically always have to use a digital camera.
I have difficulty with creating an image in post-process to create an attractive atmosphere as the camera itself creates to clean of an image.
After searching the net for a day i downloaded loads of filters, plugins, actions and editorials about this.
Well, I just mail you to say that your ‘triqui lomo’ action is superb!
It’s a heavy thing off course, and therefor not suitable for many images, but it has definately created the effect I wanted for some.
I attached a photo, to show you an example of ‘our’ work. (I am now working on a serie wich is even better with your action, but this is still in progress)
So.. once again, thancks for making this action available, really appreciate it!
Kind regards,
Tim Stet
http://www.timstet.nl
ps. It did make me feel that, for me, there is still a lot to learn about PS, just when I thought that I was becomming quite good…
Asif Iqbal | Aug 19, 2006 | Reply
Hey Emanuele. Remember me, comment #4 and #5. A’right. So I just worked your great Lomo effect on some pics and here’s the result man.
I’ve uploaded about 13 pics in a Flickr set - Lomo-dified. Do enjoy, it’s not much just a newbie’s clicks.
kim mb | Aug 26, 2006 | Reply
I’m using Photoshop CS on a Mac and this script worked perfectly. i can’t believe i’ve lived without it for so long.
here’s a like to my photos on flickr.
kim
Lindsey | Sep 30, 2006 | Reply
Hi, I used your lomography action on a few snap shots and they came out beautifully. Do you want me to email you them and if so, where should I send them. Thanks!
johann | Nov 15, 2006 | Reply
superb effects. it has that “professional” feel to it. tried the action on some of my photos and it turned out great. thanks emanuele, keep up the good work.
Jo S. | Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
I used this effect with PS CS on Mac OSX and it worked beautifully. I had never heard of Lomo until I started working for a magazine in China called Lomo Life. This is such a nice effect, very striking. Link to a picture that’s been Lomo’d- http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7830/img0584lomopa7.jpg
sunsurfr | Dec 1, 2006 | Reply
I used this effect on a picture and loved the results. Thanks.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunsurfr/310733343/
Ahdoorubble | Dec 2, 2006 | Reply
I get the message after extracting and loading into PhotoShop that it is not a valid file name. I have not done anything but download it. Does anyone have suggestion on what I need to do? I’d like to try this. Thanks for Sharing!
AhDoo
Ahdoorubble | Dec 2, 2006 | Reply
I got it to work. I didn’t realize there were 3 versions. I love the monochromatic sepia like effect. Thanks a zillion.
AhDoo
john | Dec 11, 2006 | Reply
nice…but i think it will be better with more vignette..
Scot Wharton | Dec 14, 2006 | Reply
Just wanted to let you know that I used this action for this grasshopper macro shot…. http://onetphotography.blogspot.com/
Aurock | Dec 15, 2006 | Reply
I’m sorry, but how does one utilize such actions in Photoshop?
Aurock | Dec 15, 2006 | Reply
I got it to work! And it is pretty cool, though I think the actio works much better with light-colored objects/people than darker ones. And this is from a darker-skinned person’s perspective. Not disimilar from when I was in film school, changing exposures for different complexions. So I had to make some alterations. But yeah, thanks for the Action. Peace.
scribble | Jan 17, 2007 | Reply
How do I make use of the action after I’ve extracted it?
scribble | Jan 17, 2007 | Reply
Got it! I couldn’t find it on your site, but it might be useful to put up a tutorial on how to load the actions. :)
blues note | Jan 29, 2007 | Reply
i tried extracting the file and it gave me a bunch of gibberish. is there any way of sending me the steps via email? i’m really eager to try this style out! danke!
steve | Feb 14, 2007 | Reply
Thanks! I’ve used your action in Photoshop CS2 and CS3 (beta). Interestingly the vignette seems to have shrunk a bit in CS3.
I love the results, and have run this one over many of my shots.
Trish | Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
Hey there –
I love the photo of the yellow car and what you did with it using Photoshop. I have “Photoshop Elements 4.0″ — will it work on that? I’ve saved the action/script to my PC, and I tried to open it with Adobe (right click, open with, Photoshop), but nothing’s happening. I’m a complete novice, so I’m guessing I’m doing it incorrectly. Could you please walk me through the steps? Many thanks.
Steve Bender | Mar 7, 2007 | Reply
Thanks so much! This really is a great action. Easy to use, perfect.
Robert | Mar 11, 2007 | Reply
This action is just great!!! Always had a look like it produces in the back of my head… Thank you very much.
http://flickr.com/photos/robert-neumann/sets/72157594582712213/
ariefous | Mar 29, 2007 | Reply
Can you kindly provide me the photoshop action for vintage-look effect?…i`ve been searching for it…Thanks in advance, good day~~~!
Alicia Stepp | Jul 10, 2007 | Reply
I love love love this action! Thank you so much.
The lomo effect adds SO much to a photo.
Here’s two of mine :
Thanks again!
Adele | Jul 17, 2007 | Reply
Well, I can’t buy you a beer (or two) but I can sure leave a very grateful comment. =] Thanks a lot for your help. Really. I have been looking for a lovely way to mimic the wonderful Lomo effect for quite awhile now.
rjnworks | Jul 19, 2007 | Reply
i’m going crazy over this lomo thing to the point im thinking of buying an lc-a. however when i stumbled into your site, i was thinking twice if i have to purchase one.. lol
your ps lomo action is amazing, i was able to apply it in my unpublished photos and there you have it an artwork using your Lomography Photo Action…
thanks a lot… here is the link of my lomo effects album
http://rjnworks.multiply.com/photos/album/25
-renen
3AM | Aug 17, 2007 | Reply
This action is just awesome!! Thank you very much for sharing it!
randell | Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
how do i make the action work? where do i put it? im using photoshop cs.
thanks
Susan | Sep 6, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for this very cool action!
Pudding | Sep 14, 2007 | Reply
Aloha, used your Lomo action on a few of my dolly shots & I really love the effect. I might just have to buy me a lomo camera just for the novelty of having it with me to take some snaps. Anyway, your action works great I can’t use the Blur lens because I have an older version of PS but I still like the effect anyway. Maybe you can make one for PS7 users also. Again Much thanks.
Tinayums | Sep 16, 2007 | Reply
hey there emanuel,
your actions is pretty amazing! thanks so much for the tip..
another thing i want to ask from a PRO like you, i am searching for tips on how to make glossy pictures..(dont know if i used the words exactly) but visiting below site will be helpful to what i mean:
http://www.pbase.com/manny_librodo
i hope you’ll find time to reply to me!
cheers,
tinayums
Charina Razon | Sep 21, 2007 | Reply
hello,
would like to ask you how come i downloaded the triqui lomo and it does not work or open in my photoshop version? am using cs2
please help me
thnks in advance
regards,
charina
Karen | Sep 24, 2007 | Reply
I used your action on a picture of a model train set and I think it came out great! You can find the after picture here: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1074/1431056377_3586208dfd_b.jpg
and the before picture here: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1016/1431019365_456970ba18_b.jpg
toti | Sep 24, 2007 | Reply
the file i downloaded (triqui lomo)doesn’t work with my cs3…pls tell me how will it work…thanks
geir | Oct 6, 2007 | Reply
Hi! Exploring the world of lomography, trying to get the tool to work in PS Elements 2.0 on mac OSX 10.3.9, unsuccessfully. Any tips, anyone? All the best!
maan | Oct 10, 2007 | Reply
i’ve tried downloading “the action” but it has a file extension of .atn and it won’t open, what should i do? i really want to try this one on my pictures…
Jenn | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
ahh! It works with PSE 5! Thanks so much!!
Jenn | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
oops! darn it. I spoke too soon. It applies it to my pic fine but for some reason it won’t save the effects! :( bummer!
vincent | Nov 3, 2007 | Reply
thank you! enjoyed the effect very much =)
Lina | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
Hi,
I tried to use your triquilomo, but it didn’t work. When I’m opening the file, the photoshop CS3
opens but then I don’t know what to do… I’m a beginner at photoshop, but I would really like to try using this effevt, it looks great.
/Lina
Andreh | Nov 26, 2007 | Reply
Its a great effect! Thanks :D
Yolanda | Dec 4, 2007 | Reply
Is there a way to make the effect save in PSE5? It works up until the very last step. Someone mentioned 3 versions. The only one I got was a sepia tinted one. Thanks.
DontAskDontTell | Dec 5, 2007 | Reply
Wow! An
AUTOMATED
process
TO MAKE CRAPPY PICTURES!!!
JuicyTools | Jan 8, 2008 | Reply
I have a downloadable Lomo Photoshop action as well! Check it out…
http://www.juicytools.com/graphics/free-lomo-photoshop-filter-download/
Cindy | Feb 1, 2008 | Reply
Where do you download the file to so you can find it when you open your photoshop???
fluffballs | Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
Great effect, I love it. Check out my pic here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fluffballs/2284395026/
SprayBlood | Mar 24, 2008 | Reply
Great~~man~!!!!! that is exactly what I want!!! Many thanks!!!!!
Anj Lim | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
really cool actions. I tried it on one of our wedding photos and my husband liked it.
nicolas | Apr 26, 2008 | Reply
hello my name is nico but you can call me cowgoose
(that’s my nick name). i’m from indonesia. i just want to tell you abot your action… it’s f*** man
and if you have any action more, contact me at cow_goose@yahoo.com.
terima kasih (english:thank you)
Charlie | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Don’t expect any help from freeloaders on here. They use the free stuff to improve their photos, then act like they did it all by themselves.
Javier | May 4, 2008 | Reply
Hello, llevaba tiempo buscando un script para PS, para convertir mis fotos a lomo-fotos.
Tu script está muy bien, he creado una lomo-foto de 4 disparos (la que más me gusta), PUEDES VERLA EN: http://javier.astycom.net/?p=231
emily | Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
these are my pictures without using this effect because i downloaded the file, zipped. and extracted them. i’m not sure what to do with them. i’m only 14 but photography is what i want to do. please help me!