Photoshop Actions and Templates.
MW Basic Retouch Action Set has over 30 of the most frequently used Actions for Basic Retouching in Photoshop. The set includes actions for adjusting Levels, Defogging, increasing Color Saturation, increasing Contrast, Sharpening, Blurring, Black & White Conversion, Black & White Toning and includes a Mat/Frame Action for web display.
This action set is like having training wheels for Photoshop. Each action opens the filter and shows you what settings are being used. The action is followed by a Fade Command to adjust the desired level of the effect to taste, while viewing your image. Once you become familiar with the settings, you can turn off the dialogue box in the action palette so the action will automatically apply the effect, then go to fade. Eventually, you will know the settings that suit your taste in processing and will be able to create your own settings and will no longer have to rely on the actions for the more commonly used steps in your workflow. This enables you to be immediately productive with methods you are not familiar with while you are learning. Ideally, you should record your own action work flow using the methods that work best for you to use with batch processing.
The various actions within the same category are not intended to be run after each other. There are many different ways to skin a cat using Photoshop. I have provided several different options for each stage of processing that achieve a similar result, but are slightly different depending on your workflow, taste and the size of the file you are working with. You will have to decide which method you prefer through experimentation. Many actions will guide you with stop screens instructing you what to do before or after running the action, requiring your input to adjusting a setting while viewing your image. This action set is more like a tutorial than a one-click action solution.
Whether you are just beginning to use Photoshop or are an intermediate user, I'm sure you find many of these actions to be unique and very productive to your workflow. Even if you already know most of these filter settings, this action set will allow you to be more organized and productive. This is the set of actions I use in my work everyday.
Retouch Action Gallery showing examples of the various effects applied to the same image.