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TECHNIQUE: Aging Photographs
By Shelleyrae Cusbert 2008
Aug 24, 2008, 21:33

This photo (courtesy of Imagine Publishing) is an ideal subject for a faux aging process. The techniques used in this tutorial could also be applied to portraits and even elements and papers.

Open the photo to the workspace and create a duplicate image to work on to protect the original.


The first step is to create a sepia color effect.
In PSCS3 select Image > Adjustments> Black and White or use the shortcut keys
**(In earlier versions of Photoshop first turn your image to black and white by your preferred method and then use Hue and saturation to apply the color tint suggested)**


Check tint at the bottom of the palette


If needed select the color block and change the tint color. You can use any color – in this case I am using # e1d3b3.


Use the tint sliders to make adjustments to the color and then use the RRYGCBM sliders to control the tones in the picture.



Create a new layer and go to Edit> Fill> 50% Gray


Make sure your colors are set to the Default (press D on your keyboard)
Then choose Filter > Render > Clouds and select OK


Change the blending mode of the layer to Color Burn


Go to Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur and increase the blur amount to soften the clouds. 88 pixels was used here, then choose OK.


Don’t worry if it is too dark – we will make adjustments after this next step.
Create a new layer
Choose a brown color – I used the eyedropper and chose a brown from the image


Hit B on your keyboard to access the Brush palette and choose a brush suitable for a grunge effect. Adjust the Shape dynamics as desired.


Swipe randomly over the image and add a few extra swipes to the edges and corners.
Change the Blending mode to Overlay


The effect is a little too dark so adjust the opacity of the middle layer to suit, 70% worked well here.


Merge all the layers together by right clicking on a layer and choosing merge visible.
Add some texture by using Filter> Texturizer and select a suitable texture


Add a border and tears for more effect.


See the tutorial Create an Aged Paper to learn how to apply similar techniques to create aged parchment paper



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