Making the "old photo" look

[BrokenBiker]

I've seen a few people ask the question, how do I make that old photo look? I've looked, too...and I think I finally got a clue! To some, this might be old news, but I'll post it nonetheless for those it might help.

Basically, the process is three steps: 1) Create a lomo effect. 2) Create a sepia look. 3) If desired, add a new layer for texture/worn-paper look.

There are lomo and sepia actions at ATN Central, but for those who don't have them but do have PS CS2 I'll spell out some steps.



This is the Lomo part...

Image>Duplicate (to preserve the original)
Create New Fill>Color Balance
--Adjust the color balance to promote Reds and Greens in Shadows, Midtones, & Highlights.
--I adjusted these all somewhere between 5 and 20
--Lomo tends to highlight reds and greens
Create New Fill>Hue/Saturation
--Saturation +20 to +30
Create New Fill>Brightness/Contrast
--Increase Contrast to +15 to +25
Create New Layer
--Press 'D' for default foreground/background
--Press 'X' to invert these colors
--Select 'Gradient Tool'
--Select 'Foreground to Background' and 'Radial Gradient'
--Apply gradient to this layer (Should be the top layer) so that the white part is over the subject
--Change blending mode of layer to 'Overlay'
Create New Layer
--Select the 'Marquee' tool
--Make selection approx. 2" from borders (for large pics 3000x2000)
--Ctrl+Shift+I (Invert selection)
--Select>Feather (150-200 pixels)
--Press 'D' for default colors
--Edit>Fill
--Use Foreground color, click 'OK'
--Change blending mode of layer to 'Overlay'
--Ctrl+D (De-select)
Ctrl+Shift+E(Merge visible layers)



This is the sepia portion...

Image>Mode>Grayscale
--Discard color information? (Click 'OK')
Image>Mode>Duotone
--Ink 1: Black
--Ink 2: PANTONE 1215 C
--Ink 3: PANTONE 202 C
--Click 'OK'
Image>Mode>RGB Color
Duplicate Layer
--Filter>Noise>Dust & Scratches
--Radius: 1 to 2 pixels
--Threshold: 0




The third portion is optional, but definitely recommended.

Open a new image of an old book cover, folded paper, etc., that would help create the texture of an old photograph that might've been folded or stuck in a shoebox somewhere.

Drag this to your working document as a new layer and adjust opacity as necessary.









***DISCLAIMER***
The directions are not exactly the same as the actions, nor are they going to work for every photo. But it should put you in the right neighborhood w/ some slight adjustments.

Hope you enjoy!

[BrokenBiker]

Here are the originals for comparison.

[huxley]

i have tried my hand at making old photos in the past and have come to the conclusion that the sepia portion of the convertion will make or break your photo. i do not spend as much time on the lomo conversion as you do and instead rely on a good b/w conversion that i customize using channel mixer and curves. i also create the textured/weathered look in psp instead of scanning in the textures. it all depends on the person i guess. here is my take on "old" photo look.

[zach-e2]

great resource.. thanks!

[princessmocha]

Thanks, Adam!!!