Adding textures to your photos is one of photography’s hottest new trends. Using textures can give your photos an old, stylized, or even classic feel to them. It’s also a way to spotlight your creativity and transform your photos into works of art.
There are two ways you can add texture to your photos: in camera and post-processing. This week I am going to share with you some tricks both in camera and during post-processing.
In-Camera
Make a Vaseline Filter. Back in the days of film, adding Vaseline to your lens was a popular way to add slightly distorted and dream-like quality to photographs. You can still achieve this with your dSLR.
Before you start, I have to properly warn you. Do not try this on a Point and Shoot. You will ruin your lens. Also, do not apply the Vaseline directly to your lens. Only apply the Vaseline to a clear lens filter. Please do not ruin your lenses when trying to attempt this.
Got it? Good.
Simply add a Vaseline to your filter and leave the middle clear. It’s that easy.
If you love the look of a Vaseline filter and want to keep on in your bag, you can make a permanent filter with some clear nail polish! Brush on the clear nail polish just like you did the Vaseline. As the nail polish gets tacky, stipple with the brush to create a texture on the filter.
Another way to get this effect is to stretch a pair of nylons over the lens. Have some fun and try different colors! The nylons create a soft filter and I love the sepia tone they add.
I have also tried experimenting with wax paper and cellophane. These are so much fun!
Post-Processing
Add texture with PicMonkey. I know everyone does not have access to Photoshop or understand how to use it {it gets me sometimes still!}. However, everyone can use PicMonkey.
It’s so simple! Upload your picture. Make any small adjustments such as cropping, fixing exposure, and saturation.
Next, click on the Texture button. It will pull up the Texture menu with 6 texture options along with the option of adding your own.
Pick a texture that you think best fits with your photograph. I chose the Papyrus texture. I then adjusted the Fade so that it wasn’t so prominent.
You can also paint away the texture on any part of the picture you don’t want to apply it to. I “erased” the texture off of the center of the flower so it would stand out.
This week your challenge is to play around with adding texture to your photographs both in pre- and post-production. Make sure you share your texture photos on the Facebook page!
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I really dig the PicMonkey! Thank you!
I really like your site, and the picmonkey is great! Thank you!