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In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a distressed effect Photoshop actions using smart filters, adjustment layers, and overlay textures.
If you want to learn these photo effects via video, check out our lesson on the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:
If you want to learn how to create more photo effects, check out these:
-
How to Create a Vintage Fade Effect Photoshop Action
-
How to Create a Vintage Portrait Photo Manipulation in Adobe Photoshop
Tutorial Assets
The following assets were used in the production of this tutorial:
1. How to Start Recording the Photoshop Action
Step 1
First of all, we need to open the image. Press Control-O and select the image you want to use.
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Step 2
Now we can start to create our action, so hit Alt-F9, or go to Windows > Actions to open the Actions panel.
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Step 3
Hit the New Action button to create a new action, and then hit Record. Now our action will start recording.
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2. How to Create a Hard Distressed Photo Effect
Step 1
Select the background layer and then Right-Click on the layer and select Convert to Smart Object.
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Step 2
Select the smart object and then go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and use the following settings:
- Amount: 5%
- Distribution: Gaussian
- Monochromatic: On
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Step 3
After that, go to Filter > Filter Gallery > Texture > Grain. Use the following settings:
- Intensity: 15
- Contrast: 50
- Grain Type: Regular
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Step 4
Place "Distressed Texture 01.png" above the smart object.
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Step 5
After that, place "Distressed Texture 02.jpg" and change the Blending Mode of this new layer to Multiply.
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Step 6
Now we need to create color correction layers for our Photoshop effects. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast and create a new layer with the following settings:
- Brightness: 70
- Contrast: -25
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Step 7
After that, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation and create a new layer with Saturation of -35.
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Step 8
Our action is ready now. Click Stop in the Actions panel.
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This is how our image should look like after the manipulations listed above:
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3. How to Create a Soft Distressed Photo Effect Action
Step 1
In case this type of distressed effect is too extreme-looking, we could easily make it softer. Let's create another action and name it "Soft Distressed Action".
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Step 2
Select the first overlay texture and change the Opacity of the layer to 25%.
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Step 3
After that, we need to change the Opacity of the second texture to 80%.
Step 4
After that, hit the Stop button to finish the recording of the action. Now you can easily change the effect to a softer version just by playing this additional action.
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Awesome Work, You're Now Done!
Congratulations! You have created distressed photo effects using overlay textures and Photoshop effects. Here is our final result:
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Looking for some more distressed photo effect Photoshop actions? Сheck these Photoshop actions from Envato Elements:
Vintage Sketch Photoshop Action
This item adds a realistic distressed effect and turns your image into an old sketch with pencils, paints elements, and ten color effects. The final effect of this Photoshop action could be easily changed as it gives you a well-structured final PSD file.
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SoVintage Photoshop Action
This Photoshop action gives you not only 80s styles but also 15 light leaks, 10 distressed textures, and noise vignette layers. It could be applied to any image, and it works in a few simple clicks.
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Antiq Guilloche Photoshop Action
This awesome pack of Photoshop effects contains actions, brushes, and patterns which could give your image a distressed look in a few simple clicks.
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Vintage Photo Creator
"Vintage Photo Creator" is an excellent tool that could help you to create Facebook covers, posters, or T-shirt designs. It includes a great number of textures, backgrounds, and 12 main effects. All Photoshop effects are included in one PSD file.
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Vintage Photo Effects
If you want another distressed effect, take a look at "Vintage Photo Effects". Create vintage-looking photos with paper textures applied to your images using this smart Photoshop template.
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Want to learn how to create more similar effects? Check these awesome tutorials:
- Photoshop ActionsHow to Create a Vintage Photo Effect Action in Photoshop
- Photo EffectsHow to Create a Vintage Photo Effect in a Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky Style
- Adobe PhotoshopVintage Style: How to Create a Photo That Looks Old
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