Adding texture and drama to your images using textures and layers

You've seen them in explore, online and in magazines but just how are they created? One of the wonderful thing about Adobe Photoshop (and clones) is that you can add layers of textures over the image you are editing and adjust the opacity and blend mode to create wonderful textures, mood and story to your image.

First convert the images that you wish to use as texture layers to Adobe Photoshop Files (.psd) either by using ‘File: Save As” and saving to your Program Files>Adobe>Adobe Photoshop CS3>Presets>Textures
Next open the image you wish to add texture layers to.

—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—--
Before and after

Next we will work on the blend mode and opacity. Make sure that the texture layer is above your image in the layers pallet and that it is selected.

The first layer option on the left is is blend mode. Click to select a mode from the drop-down list. My favourite is Overlay but it is best to try more than one blend mode to find the one that is most fitting to your image and texture layer blending. Now you will click on the second layer option of opacity. It is important that the opacity (or transparent nature) of the texture is adjusted for your image. You might wish for your image to be dominant and have just a hint of the texture layer or make it the feature - it depends on your image and layer and personal preferences.

—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—