You can really have fun creating artistic images by using textures. But did you know that you can take things further by combining texture layers? In this image, I used three texture layers with different blending modes in Photoshop to create the final product.

My starting point was an image I captured as an HDR image and then added creative textures via Photoshop. The original image was shot in mid-day light and I captured a ±2EV bracketed sequence with my Nikon D4 DSLR. I used a tripod to make sure I’d get optimal image alignment when I merged the images into HDR Efex Pro 2.0.

After I created the HDR tone-mapped image, I modified the contrast and color using a few filters in Color Efex Pro 4. In this case, I used Pro Contrast and Tonal Contrast to get the look that I wanted.

Next, I imported a texture image from Flypaper Textures into a new layer. I added a layer mask and brushed out areas where I wanted the subject to show through. Although this was nice, I still wanted to have a textured feel over the subject, so I duplicated my texture layer.

In the duplicate layer, I deleted the layer mask and then changed the blending mode to “Hard Light.” I then reduced the layer opacity visually to get the look I liked.

Lastly, I added another Flypaper texture, one of the “Fly Edges” pack. I put this image into the topmost layer and set the blending mode to “Multiply.” This created the antique burned-edges look.

Unleash your digital creativity with my video tutorial, Layers of Creativity: Going beyond realism with Photoshop and Nik Plug-ins.

Master Nik Software plug-ins with comprehensive guides from Luminescence of Nature Press.

Save 15% on all Flypaper Textures with code: JASONO