I am in no way, shape or form a professional but I have gleaned a little useful information through years of trial and error and help from talented, professional friends.  I have received quite a few emails regarding basic photo editing so I have decided to dedicate a category to this subject.

In this post I will try to cover textures.  I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 and CS4.  You can find free textures here or buy textures and tutorials here.

To achieve the same effect as the photo above:

1. Open your main photo in your editing program
2. Open the “texture” photo
3. Drag (or copy and paste) your texture photo on top of your main photo
4. Choose overlay style.  I usually choose “hard light”.  (In photoshop these options should be next to the opacity)
5. Adjust the opacity of the texture layer until desired effect is achieved.  If you don’t see your layer info in photoshop go to the word “window” at top of program and make sure “layers” is checked.
6. Click the eraser tool and adjust the opacity and flow.  The lower the percentage the easier to use I think, just experiment!
7. Use your eraser tool to erase away parts of the texture you do not want on your main photo.  I personally think it usually looks best to erase all texture off the skin on people photos.

I often use more than one texture on a photo, layering 2, 3 or more onto the main photos and adjusting each differently.

For variation try editing textures before layering

Create your own textures by snapping your own texture photos: barns, wood texures, brick, stone, etc.

The possibilities are endless!  Post your photos on your blog and post a link in the comments section of this post.  We would love to see what you do!

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