Texture blending isn’t hard if you know how to work with Layers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Texture Blending
Texture blending is a fun way to get creative with your photos and transform them into something new and unique. In a nutshell, all you need to add textures is an image editor that supports layers, such as Adobe Photoshop. Some other editors, such as Luminar, have a built-in texture blending feature. Here are the basic steps to get you started, aka “Texture Blending 101.”
Open a photograph in your image editor, such as Adobe Photoshop
Drag a texture image file from a browser window (I use Photo Mechanic) onto the image editor, or use the “Place Embedded” command in Photoshop and choose a texture file. Note that high-resolution texture images work best, as they won’t produce artifacts during resizing.
Size the image to fit over your original photo and press Enter on your keyboard
In the Layers panel, blend the texture by changing the blending mode to something other than Normal. Try Multiply, Overlay, Screen, or Hard Light modes for starters. Then adjust the layer opacity to blend in the texture and reveal the photo underneath it.
You can also use Layer Masks to blend the texture in. Use brushes to “paint” out the texture from areas of your photo you wish to reveal.
Don’t stop there! Try using multiple texture layers, too!
Once you’re finished, adjust contrast and color on the final image. You can also finish your images in Lightroom after saving them.
Luminar from Macphun can be used to create dramatic effects and is an effective replacement for many Nik Collection plug-ins.
With the recent announcement that Google will no longer support the Nik Collection, I’ve started using Macphun’s suite of editing tools more and more frequently. Most specifically, I’ve jumped feet-first into their newest editor, Luminar. I’ve found it to be an excellent choice for photographers who are familiar with the Nik Collection suite. You can read my initial thoughts on Luminar here.
Here’s why I’m moving to Macphun:
Macphun Software applications use the latest technologies for image adjustments and special effects
Macphun products are compatible with Lightroom and Photoshop, plus you can use Luminar as a stand-alone editor (it even opens most RAW files)
Luminar offers a full complement of tools and effects filters that in many cases replace multiple Nik plug-ins, including Color Efex Pro 4 and Silver Efex Pro 2.
Built-in layer support for selective editing and effects partitioning.
Smart “erase” and noise-reduction tools, along with clone stamp
Smart Filter support in Adobe Photoshop
Luminar for Windows will be released this fall
It’s a full-featured image editor with lots of effects filters for under $60
While there are several Macphun software plug-ins available for Mac users (and they are excellent), Luminar is so incredibly flexible that it can take the place of most of the other filters, provided you know where to look. Because Luminar is coming to Windows, too, it’s the one Macphun product I think you should be familiar with. Here are some tips for getting the most out of Luminar. Continue reading Moving to Macphun: Tips for Nik Users→
