Polaroid Framing Thoughts and Freebie

I finally got around to posting on the ACoLab.  Did I say something about posting more frequently??  The latest inspiration is an easy one, the word "Celebrate".  I think it's a good one to start back with - happy and we all hopefully have something to celebrate.  But in making the image to go with the post I ended up making a frame that I thought I'd share.  Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the files.

I often use a Polaroid frame around my digital images.  I like the look of Polaroids but often find myself without a Polaroid camera, film, or I (ashamedly) feel like the image I want to take isn't worth the $1.25 the print costs to use.  So, I try to achieve the same feel/look using Photoshop.  My favorite Polaroid actions come from Coffeeshop and rawimage.

By the way, before I start using an action, I edit my image.  Below you can see the image I used for the following examples.  I just used a little editing to pop the image a bit to show you how the different actions look. 

 

I can't say enough great things about Coffeeshop; however, with that said, I think I prefer the rawimage Polaroid action.  Mostly because with the Coffeeshop action the texture of the frame is missing. {You know, that kind of rippling effect that a Polaroid frame has, I love that.}  I often end up making the image and like the result but feel like it's missing something.  It doesn't feel complete and so I usually end up wanting more.  But the frame is pretty and Coffeeshop adds a nice, realistic drop shadow to the inside of the frame as well as around the frame which I like.   The result image is also a lot smaller using Coffeeshop's action, FYI.

 

The rawimage Polaroid action pack is awesome.  I highly recommend it if you like Polaroid shots and have Photoshop.  The thing with the rawimage action is that it is so complete... the action not only adds a frame, a realistic one at that, it also adds certain color changes and edits to make the image match the type of Polaroid film you pick to use.  Like I said, awesome.  The above images were made using the same image as the final edited image above.  Rawimage actions adjust the color dependent on what type of film action you choose.

Sometimes, I like to choose my own look.  I like mixing new and old and I like to mix images that seem unexpected for the display format I pick.  Sometimes I just have an idea of how I want things to look, you know?  So, because of that, I made my own png and Photoshop files that allow me to just slip my image into the frame.   The frame really saves time and steps when I want to print something out simply or make an image quickly for a post.

So help yourself to the files below or check out Coffeeshop and rawimage {via Deviant Art} for their wonderful actions.  I would love to see what you come up with if you do create something with it but it isn't necessary.  Just have fun!

Downloadable files  {If you have any problems with these files please just let me know.  I have not tried using this method before so we'll see how successful it is.}
Download the psd file for Photoshop {layers included!}
Download the .png file