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Using Textures on Photos

Photoshop Tutorial

by Julie Mead

Before you begin this tutorial be sure you have downloaded the free texture from our FREEbies page. (link at the top)

I will give instructions for using Photoshop Creative Suites and also Photoshop Elements. Some of the instructions for these 2 Photoshop programs will be the same. I will be sure to let you know if any instructions are specifically for one program or the other.

So pick out a photo, open your software, and grab the FREE texture sample.

****Some basic knowledge of Photoshop is necessary to complete this tutorial.****

Begin by opening the photo and the texture.

I like this photo but the sky is a bit washed out and needs some perking up. I also don't like the way the boy is lost in the scenery.

What I love about textures on photos is how much they can change the look of it in unique ways.

Go ahead..... I know you want to scroll to the bottom to see what the finshed product is going to look like. Scroll back up when you are done and we'll get started.

step 1

Drag the texture over to the photo using the Move Tool.

Resize the texture and move it into place.

In the Layers Palette change the Blending Mode to Overlay. Feel free to experiment with the Blending Modes, its your photo so have a little fun. You may find a mode you like better with your photo anyways. Also use the Opacity Slider in the Layers Palette if you feel the texture is too strong.

This is what my photo looks like with the texture set to Overlay.

You can duplicate this layer, turn it, try different blending modes.... experiment!

Photoshop Creative Suites Users.....

this parts for you!

Step 2

I added a new texture layer from the Totally Textures for Photos product. (blue layer) I really like this texture because of what it can do for a dull sky. You can continue following the instructions with your FREE texture which would be Layer 1 in the image above.

This is what the sky looks like when I add that cool blue texture.

The sky looks great but I don't want the texture to be this strong on the rest of the photo. This next part is fun and so easy.

See where the red arrow is pointing on the Layers Palette. This is the Add a Layer Mask icon. With the layer active that you want to work on, click on this icon and a little white box next to the thumbnail image of the texture will appear just like in the preview above, next to Layer 2. Since this is a Mask, any black that we apply to this layer will act as if we are erasing it.

step 3

Press B to open the Brush tools and set the foreground color to black. I like to use a soft edged brush and with the Opacity in the Options Bar set to 40%. Start to brush over the areas that you want to soften the look of the texture. The more you brush the more the texture will fade away.

Photoshop Elements Users.....

this parts for you!

step 2

Click on the Add an Adjustment Layer by choosing the circle icon in the Layers Palette that is half gray and half white. When the dropdown window appears choose Levels. Choose OK.

Now drag the texture layer to this document. If you already have added the texture layer then go ahead and move it up so that it is located above the Adjustment Layer.

Now make the texture layer active by pressing on it.

Set the texture layer Blending Mode to Overlay.

Press Command G (mac: Control G) to Group the texture with the previous layer.

Notice the little down arrow next to the texture thumbnail? That means that it is grouped with the layer below.

Now press on the all white box in the Adjustment Layer to activate it. Whatever we do to this layer will affect the texture layer above since they are grouped together.

step 3

Press B to open the Brush Tool and select a soft-edged brush.

Set the opacity of the brush to 30 - 40%. Make sure the Foreground color is set to black. Begin to paint over the parts of the document where you think the texture is too strong.

I know this is a little bit blurry but you can see what effect the brush has on the Adjustment Layer. The parts I brushed over are now gray.

My Finished Photo

Take a look at the finished product. The sky is much more interesting and the subject is no longer lost in the field but pops right out of the photo.

I wanted to give this a viewfinder look so I added an uneven black edge with the Gradient Tool. Set the Gradient Tool to Black to Clear. I then added small amount of it around the photo, purposely keeping it uneven as if looking through a viewfinder. By removing the texture over the little boy he seems to stand out in the field now. The texture makes the photo unique and interesting to look at but the little guy is the focus now!

If you are interested in playing with lots of textures try out the

Totally Texture for Photos.

A professional version is also available for photographers and others who will use these in their art.

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