How to create pictures that look old/grainy/with texture

<p>I am wondering how to create pictures that look like this photography:<br>

http://www.relivephotography.com/#/galleries/<br>

-specifically the pictures that look grainy and like there is some kind of texture in them.. can this be done in photoshop? and if so, how?!<br>

Is the person editing the pictures using a different editing software? any help would be appreciated as i really like the look and feel. thanks!</p><p><b>Moderator Note: This is the Digital Darkroom Forum If you are incapable of answering the question asked, which is to find a Photoshop-based solution, don't. Several useless responses have been deleted.</b></p>

<p>(A warning to other Pnetters: the web site at that link has music that autostarts.)</p>

<p>Jean, is there one example photo in the link you are particularly trying to copy so we can narrow down the 'look' a little bit? The photographer has a few different ideas going on there and you need to give us more of a target to shoot for.</p>

<p>Surely these techniques could have been accomplished in PS (or any number of programs) using various processes however I have accomplished many of the same designs in Lightroom with simple preset conversions (i.e. sephia tone) and then adding grain. What software are you using for your PP? </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Download this image, which is a huge rectangle of cleverly simulated TM400 film grain. (Warning: downloads slowly.)<br /><a href="http://byscuits.com/grain-tm400.png">http://byscuits.com/grain-tm400.png</a><br /><br />Just overlay it on your image, adjusting opacity and such as desired.</p>

<p>Jean, I think the music helps make the photos look older!</p>

<p>Seriously, though, I did see one grainy B&W that I think is what you're talking about. Grain isn't my cup of tea, but I've gotten into the style, somewhat, with some very high ISO shots I've taken. I crank the ISO, "salt and pepper" filter to remove noisy specks of a given contrast and size (maybe up to 3 pixels in diameter), and then the remaining noise is somewhat smooth and globby, like Tri-X processed in Microdol. Example here:</p>

<p><img src="http://www.graphic-fusion.com/phcobblersm.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="560" /></p>

<p>I suppose I could have left it grainier, but as I said, I don't like grain.</p>

<p>Anyway, the key, IMO, is to remove the finest/smallest noise, which can look quite hashy and "sensorish."</p>

<p>Of course Charlie's approach isn't bad either! ;-)</p>

<p>Sorry... I've recently migrated from Corel's Paintshop Pro to PhotoShop. Different terms. I suppose the PS equivalent (which is not quite as good a tool) is Filter/Noise/Dust and Scratches. Try setting radius to 2 and threshold to whatever value gives you the graininess you desire.</p>

<p>Of course you can also use the "add noise" tool (Filter/Noise/Add noise), but to me the results are pretty contrived looking -- in both PSP and PS.</p>

<p>Neat idea and overlay Charlie, I'm going to steal that one too.<br>

-James</p>

<p>Another option... I am not sure if Photoshop and Photoshop Elements offer the same filter options but in the Elements version (assuming this is also available in the CS versions) under 'Filters', you can select the 'Textures' filter drop-down. Start with a Duplicate Layer, then once you are in 'Filters' choose the 'Textures' pop-out window and then select 'Grain'. This will open a new screen that will offer some options to the 'Grain' filter. There are sliders for Intensity and Contrast and you can adjust them until you are happy with the look. It seems that the filter adds color noise so once you have applied the filter, remove the color from the layer to make the grain monochromatic. Because you built this as a layer you will be able to change the opacity if the effect is too strong. This might offer a different look than the 'Add Grain' offering.</p>

<p>Tom</p>

<p>http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/photoshop/articles/phs8kbfilmgrain.html<br /><br />http://av.adobe.com/russellbrown/RenaissanceGrain_SM.mov<br /><br />http://www.outbackphoto.com/workflow/wf_95/essay.html</p>

<p>Nik software's Silver Efex and Color Efex plug ins easily create such images as are found in the wedding gallery on the link provided. You can simulate many different types of films, achieve vintage looks, add vignettes, etc with the filters these programs provide. They are available as free trials if you want to experiment. Silver Efex runs as a stand alone or plug-in thru Nikon's Capture NX2 or PS or PS Elements. Color Efex 3.0 can be used as a plug-in in NX2 or PS or PS Elements. Color Efex was updated to version 4.0 last week and while it is compatible with Elements, it is not yet available as an NX2 plug-in as nearly as I can tell. </p>