Recently in the DPM Facebook group, a question came up about editing a photo to make it look antique or old. There are a few ways to do that. So in this video, I will show you how to create a vintage look with a texture overlay, using Luminar 3.
Luminar 3 Tutorial – How to Add a Texture Overlay
Let’s get right too it.
Watch the video and see how I apply the texture, tweak it, and get just the look I want for each example image.
Then scroll down to see the before and after images, and get ready to give this a try yourself.
Finding Texture Overlay Images
If you don’t already have your own little image library full of texture images, you can easily find some free ones that you can use online. Here are a few resources for you.
Just make sure that you only use license free or Creative Commons images, not ones that are copyright (as in you do not have permission to use them).
- Unsplash – this site is full of free stock images. I did a quick search for texture and found these. Just scroll through and find the ones you like. Another search for “texture cracks scratches” yielded different results. So play with your search terms, make a collection of your favorites and download a few.
- Filtergrade – free vintage grunge textures for photographers. There are quite a few good sets of texture images there.
- Flickr – you can search here too. Just make sure you change the license from “Any” to “Creative Commons” so it only finds images you are allowed to download and use.
I downloaded some from the Filtergrade article and a few others from Unsplash to use in this demonstration.
Tips for Adding a Texture Overlay
As mentioned in the video, follow these basic steps when you’re adding a texture overlay to an image.
- Find an image that is appropriate for having a texture applied to it. Not every image works for this kind of vintage look.
- Process the raw image normally first. If you’re new to Luminar watch this tutorial on raw processing.
- Add a B&W Conversion Filter and change the image to monochrome or faded color if you want a real vintage look. Remember to do that on a new adjustment layer, not the original.
- Add another adjustment layer and then add the following filters: Texture Overlay, Grain, and Curves.
- Add some grain using that filter.
- Select and add your overlay texture image using that filter. Tweak the settings until you’re happy. Remember to adjust the Blend Mode for the overlay that’s where the magic happens.
- Mask off select areas where you don’t want the texture applied as necessary.
- Adjust any other layers and filters as needed.
More Before and After Images
Here are a few other images I demonstrated in the video tutorial.
You can see how they looked before and after the texture overlay effect was applied.
Luminar 3
If you need more Luminar training or information I have a few other videos on it you can check out:
- How to Process RAW Files Quickly and Easily Using Luminar
- Video: First Look at Luminar 3 with Libraries – Is it Ready to Replace Lightroom?
- How to Process RAW Files Quickly and Easily Using Luminar
So if you don’t currently have photo editing software you may want to check out Luminar 3. OR if you are using Lightroom and want to do this sort of thing but you either don’t understand Photoshop, or you don’t have the current CC version – you can also use Luminar as a plug-in for Lightroom! Super handy.
Use my code:DIGITALPHOTOMENTOR to get $10 off Luminar.
NOTE: This discount code is only applicable to the regular price. During a sale, the price is already reduced and a further discount is not possible.
Disclaimer: I make a small commission if you purchase Luminar using my link or my code. But I only recommend things I like and use myself. That helps me keep this site running so I’m able to continue providing you valuable tips and tutorials for free.
Caveat: I am using a Mac and I’ve heard that the Windows version of Luminar 3 still has some bugs to work out, but I can’t answer to that because I do not have a PC. I suggest you give it a try yourself and decide.
Luminar came out the winner, in my opinion, in a recent review I did of the best photo editing software available.
Your Turn
Okay now it’s your turn to give this a try. If you have Luminar (any version will work), or another program that can handle layers (On1, Photoshop, GIMP, even Photoshop Elements) you can do this!
So find some textures, give it a go and share your fabulous vintage look images with texture overlays in the comments below. Have fun!
Cheers,
