Wondering how to create a grunge effect in Photoshop? Today, I'm going to show you how to make a grunge aesthetic filter with light leaks and grunge texture Photoshop overlays.
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to create complex grunge Photoshop styles, check out this amazing Grunge 2 Photoshop Action. This grunge effect Photoshop action will turn your image into a beautiful work of art in a few simple clicks!
What if you prefer video tutorials? We've got it covered! You can watch this new video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel to learn how to grunge an image in Photoshop:
What You'll Learn in This Grunge Filter Photoshop Tutorial
- How to create light leaks and color corrections for a grunge aesthetic filter
- How to grunge an image in Photoshop with overlay textures
- How to make a grunge photo effect in Photoshop
- How to create a grunge photo filter with actions and templates
Tutorial Assets
The following resources were used during the production of this tutorial:
- Free Download: Textures and Brushes Pack
- Fashionable Girl Photo
1. How to Create Light Leaks and Color Corrections for a Grunge Filter
Step 1
Let's start by opening our image with the Control-O keyboard shortcut.
Step 2
Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation and set the Saturation to -36.
Step 3
Let's create our light leak. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient Fill and set the Style to Linear, Angle to 0, and Scale to 100%.
Step 4
Now you need to click on Gradient Strip to open the Gradient Editor and use the following Stops:
- Opacity: 100%; Location: 5%
- Opacity: 50%; Location: 15%
- Opacity: 25%; Location: 82%
- Opacity: 100%; Location: 94%
- Opacity: 100%; Location: 100%
- Color Code:
#130341; Location: 80% - Color Code:
#9c0433; Location: 86% - Color Code:
#faa786; Location: 98% - Color Code:
#fad9c4; Location: 100%
Step 5
And finally, change the Blend Mode of your gradient fill to Screen.
2. How to Make a Grunge Photo Effect in Photoshop With Overlay Textures
Step 1
Now let's go to File > Place and put two grunge textures above all the layers.
Step 2
Change the Blend Mode of the textures to Soft Light.
You can try other blending modes to get different results, for example Overlay, if you want to get a hard grunge effect.
3. How to Create a Grunge Effect in Photoshop With Brushes
Step 1
Let's create a grunge filter using a free brush. Press Shift-Control-Alt-N to create a new layer.
Step 2
Press B to activate the Brush Tool, select Grunge Brush, and make a few strokes with a white brush.
Step 3
Change the Blend Mode to Soft Light and the Opacity to about 25%.
Here is our result:
4. How to Make a Grunge Photoshop Effect With Actions and Templates
Now, I would like to show you how easily you can create a grunge effect in Photoshop with templates and actions from Envato Elements. Let's start with Atmospheric Vintage Template.
Step 1
Open the PSD template file. Right-Click on the Placeholder layer and choose Edit Contents.
Step 2
Place your image inside the newly opened window, and then close and save the placeholder layer.
Step 3
Select some light leaks and textures by making the layers Visible.
Here is the result of applying the template:
Now let's try to use the Grunge 2 Action, which will create a beautiful effect for our photo.
Step 4
Install the action by opening it in Photoshop. Create a New Layer above your background and name it "brush".
Step 5
Brush the areas of your photo where you want to apply the effect.
Step 6
Open the Actions panel by pressing Alt-F9, and then select the action and press Play.
Step 7
As the grunge action works, you will see a popup window telling you to import the texture you want to use. Just press Continue and select the texture you want to use.
Here is the result of the Grunge 2 Action applied to our photo:
Awesome Work! You Finished Our Grunge Effect Photoshop Tutorial!
Today you've learned how to make grunge photos in Photoshop using overlays, brushes, and adjustment layers. Here is our final result:
Top Grunge Effect Photoshop Resources From Envato Elements
Now that you know how to create a grunge effect in Photoshop, you probably want to find a high-quality grunge brush Photoshop pack or some hand-crafted textures. Let's take a look at some of the best Photoshop resources from Envato Elements!
Atmospheric Vintage Template (PSD, PDF)
Turn your photos into authentic works of art with this PSD grunge filter, which is very similar to the one we already created. This template contains 15 different light leaks, three overlay textures, and some color correction layers. The PDF guide included in the main archive will help you to get started!
Grunge 2 Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PNG)
Grunge 2 Photoshop Action is a powerful tool to create stunning artwork from almost any of your photos. It creates a complex multi-layered effect, with fully editable colors and elements. Follow along with the video tutorial included in this action to get the best result!
Daguerreotype Photoshop Template (PSD, PDF)
Wondering how to make grunge photos in an old style? Try this Photoshop template with an instant daguerreotype effect inspired by old photos. It will send your photos back in time in a few simple clicks!
Dust Textures Megapack Vol. 01 (JPG)
Looking for a high-quality grunge texture Photoshop pack? Check out this amazing package, which includes 25 dusty textures created with paper scans. It's a great tool for adding a subtle grunge filter with one texture—or why not combine a few to create an extremely grungy look? All the textures are JPEG files with sizes of 3000 by 2000 px.
Grunge Texture (PNG, EPS)
If you need a transparent PNG or a scalable vector texture, you should take a look at this package of ten handmade textures. These grunge textures are great for creating an authentic look. Try these textures to create a grunge aesthetic filter or use it on your text layers.
20 Grunge Artistic Brushes (ABR, PDF)
This grunge brush Photoshop package contains 20 unique brushes with sizes of up to 1400 px. It will be a good addition to your collection of Photoshop tools. Use these brushes to create overlays, textures, or any other grunge elements.
If you want to learn more about how to grunge an image in Photoshop or create your own grunge Photoshop styles, check out these amazing tutorials:
How to Make a Distressed Effect Photoshop Action
How to Add a Texture Overlay in Photoshop
How to Create a Dusty Texture From Scratch
How to Make a Logo Look Vintage in Photoshop
How to Make an Old Paper Texture in Photoshop
How to Create a Typewriter Font Text Effect (And the Best Typewriter Fonts)
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