Texture Photography Effects

Photography Tips

Have you ever planned out a photo walk, only for it to be spoiled by less-than-optimal conditions? In this video, Gavin Hoey explains how to come up with a great photograph by creating one with the use of textured images layered over an otherwise boring photo:

He shoots the same subject, a stack of pebbles, using his Canon EOS 60D in bracketed apertures, namely f/4, f/5.6 and f/8, for a variety in the depth of field in the images. He then demonstrates how to combine two textures before layering them onto the original pebbles photo using Adobe Photoshop CS6.

Tips to Remember:

1. Multiply is arguably one of the most widely used blending options used for texture layers. Color Burn, Overlay, Soft Light, and Divide are other possible blending options.

2. Duplicate the texture layer, rotate 180 degrees and flatten the layers to even out the overall exposure of the image.

3. Use a layer mask to erase parts of the texture image for a slightly different look.

4. The color tone of the texture image can be easily altered using Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.

From a photographer’s point of view, weathered and textured can be more interesting than smooth and perfect, which is why you can’t go wrong with a library of stock texture images. Think wood panels, concrete and rust!