[thelist] Photoshop: Reproducing this effect?

[Kelly Hallman]

On Sat, 2 Aug 2003, Frank wrote:
> Please check out the following document
> http://contdiv.com/404.htm
> 
> Does anyone know how that scratchy/moody/grungy effect is done?

Brushes, usually.

First, take a picture of a dirty floor or wall with some decent contrast.
In Photoshop, desaturate the layer.  Use the Levels adjustment to tune the
grey levels as you would like them.  Then make a selection and do Edit ->
Define Brush.  Try out your new brush, especially with different colors.  
Sometimes it takes a couple tries to get a brush the way you want it.

Depending on the brush, you may want to lightly stamp it out a few times
or you may want to add several layers of color over the top.  If you want
a truly grunge look, then layer as much as you want.  Also, such brushes
are good for using on layer masks of any sort, to give a 'removed' grunge
look to text, pictures, etc.

> By the way, who among us here are genuine Photoshop artists (as opposed
> to those of us who simply use it to cut images up for templates). What
> are your favourite instructional/inspirational sites?

I don't know what makes someone a genuine Photoshop artist.
I think I Photoshop at an expert level, though.

No ideas about tutorial sites.  As for inspiration, start at a site like 
www.newstoday.com and you should find inspirational linkage for days...

-- 
Kelly Hallman
http://wrack.org/