How to create a grunge effect in Photoshop.
Want to add some grit to your photos and images? Learn how to create a grunge effect in Photoshop to create a dramatic, vintage, and worn-out look.
Grunge is a great look for when you want to add some attitude to your photos. Luckily, it’s easy to create a quick grunge effect in Adobe Photoshop with just a few pattern filters and some careful blending.
Add some grunge with patterns and textures.
A good grunge effect is all about texture — and the more the merrier. There are three basic ways to add texture and patterns to your image to create an authentic grunge effect:
- Create a new layer and import a textured image from your computer’s files. For example, a picture of some metal sheeting or a dirty piece of glass would be great for a grungy feel.
- Add a patterned overlay by going into the Layer Style screen, choosing Pattern Overlay, and selecting one of the pre-existing patterns, or uploading your own.
- Use the Brush Tool to paint some grit on a new layer manually.
Whichever method you choose, don’t forget to change the various settings to see what looks best for your project. There’s no such thing as “too much” when it comes to a grunge effect.
If you want to add tons of grit, you can repeat the process a few times or even combine a few methods to create several layers of grunge.
Blend grunge layers into the image.
Once you’re happy with the amount of grit on the screen, it’s time to blend. Select your grunge effect layer(s) and find the Blend Mode options in the top of the Layer panel. There’s no “right” Blend Mode for grunge, so click around and see what works for your project.
When you find the right blend settings, simply adjust the overall levels and colors to add the final touches, and you’re ready to share your grungy masterpiece.
Want more photography tips? Discover what more you can do with Photoshop to create stunning effects for your photos and images.