Vintage Photo Effect in Photoshop

May 16 201243 CommentsBy Tyler Denis

This tutorial will show you how to apply a simple vintage photo effect using
Photoshop. We’re going to use image adjustments, adjustment layers and
layer styles to apply the vintage effect on a regular photo so that we can
keep our work easily editable.

Preview

Tutorial Resources



NYC

by

vonSchnauzer

Step 1: Open the Photo

The photo being used in this tutorial is

NYC

by

vonSchnauzer

— download

it and then open it up in Photoshop. Feel free to use your own photo.

Step 2: Curves Image Adjustment

First thing we’re going to do is go to Image > Adjustment > Curves. We’re
going to lighten up the photo by clicking on the rightmost eyedropper icon,
which we’ll use to set the white point of the image. Click on the brightest
white we can find in the photo, which is on the t-shirt of the subject.

Step 3: Add a Gradient Map

Now go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map. Click the
gradient editor and choose the Blue, Yellow, Blue gradient preset. Check the
Reverse option.

Step 4: Reduce the Opacity of the Gradient Map
Layer

In the Layers Panel, drop the Opacity of the Gradient Map layer down to
30%.

Step 5: Add a Curves Adjustment Layer

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves. Make sure this layer is
under the Gradient Map layer that we created in Step 3. We’re going to
give our image a little more brightness and contrast by adjusting the
curves.

Step 6: Add an Inner Shadow Layer Style

By default, in Photoshop, the photo you use will be opened as the
Background layer and this layer will be uneditable (denoted by a padlock
icon). In the Layers Panel, double-click on the Background layer and click
OK to unlock it. Next, go to Layer > Layer Style > Inner Shadow and apply
the settings shown below.

Step 7: Add a Gradient Overlay Layer Style

This is the final step. Go to Layer > Layer Style > Gradient Overlay. Change
the Style to Radial and use the Black, White gradient preset as shown
below.

Optional: Changing the Gradient Map

You can tweak the outcome by double-clicking on the Gradient Map and
making adjustments to it. Below, you can see different versions of the final
outcome.

Tutorial Summary

In this quick and simple Photoshop tutorial, I showed you a way to apply a
vintage-inspired photo effect to a regular photo. We performed a Curves
image adjustment, added a couple of adjustment layers and we also used
layer styles. Below is the final result. If you followed along, feel free to link
to your own results in the comments below!

Download Source Files



photoshop_vintage_effect

(ZIP, 1.33 MB)