Taking many steps and folding them into one is extremely important to me: after the initial process has been learned, even memorized, I value saving time and labor on subsequent passes. It's no surprise I'm a YUGE fan of automation, and am severely keen on being able to replay compound actions at the click of a button or the touch of keys — thank goodness for macro programs like PhraseExpress.

Right now, I'm going to tell ya about virtualPhotographer from optikVerve Labs. It's an intuitive Photoshop plugin which adds photographic styles to your existing images. Glows, tints, grain — there's a lot packed into a compact but very usable interface. Since pictures are apparently worth thousands of words:

BEFORE

AFTER

That took me less than two minutes. It isn't the whole story — lemme get to that. But first, you'll want to know: not only does virtualPhotographer pack a nice selection of presets, the official website has even more as an extra… and a reference image too, which you can use to evaluate other plugins too! It's like the opticVerve folks are really intent on making you look good!

Next up, have a look at Auto FX Software's Dreamy Photo, which does what it says. The interface isn't as easy-to-use as virtualPhotographer; it's downright screen-eating and cumbersome, but it's capable of creating some really lovely effects out of a soap opera, romantic ballads album, or hallucinatory nightmare sequence. Your choice. I really like the rotate blur it offers — that's a unique twist I haven't really encountered before.

Both these plugins were used to enhance the above snapshot (taken at the Linden Village's Main Landing Point), titled "Better Then Glammer"; a touch of saturation and level adjustment were applied afterwards. With so many steps involved when I work on post-processed art like my Alternate Virtual Reality set, this makes it even easier to get great results rapidly.

Here's another one, called "Landing Spice" (because I'm on a Dune trip):

BEFORE|AFTER

And I hope if you're looking to touch up your modeling, build, etc. shots from Second Life — or heck, offline life! — that you'll find virtualPhotographer and Dreamy Photo to be useful too. Just don't use it to create false advertising a la bullshot, and I'll be pleased.

WAIT… one more thing!

Price? FREE.