Digital Scrapbooking Tips

My email buddy, Linda is always on the lookout for interesting techniques for her digital projects. This week’s tip is in answer to her request for instructions on using digital papers to add texture to photos.

To make your photo look like it was printed on textured paper, begin by opening a photo and a canvas or linen paper like Katie Pertiet’s Sacked Solids.

Use the Move tool to drag the textured paper over your photo, completely covering the photo. Make sure the paper layer is one position above the photo layer in the Layers Panel.  You can drag the paper layer up or down the panel if needed.

Move your cursor between the photo layer and the paper layer in the Layers Panel and hold the Alt key (Mac: Opt key) while you click. This creates a clipping mask, digitally gluing the paper to the photo.

Next, select the paper layer and press Ctrl U (Mac: Cmd U) on your keyboard to activate the Hue/Saturation dialog box. Drag the Saturation slider all the way to the left to remove the color.  This step is important because colors in the paper design can alter the colors of your photo.

Finally, change the blending mode from Normal to Overlay. The blending mode drop-down menu can be found at the top of the Layers Panel.

When you change the blending mode, you’ll see the photo take on the texture of the paper.  Try experimenting with other blending modes like Soft Light, Multiply and Linear Burn to see which one you like best for your photo and paper choice.

Link to video tip: Adding Texture to Photos in Photoshop and Elements