How do you use adjustment layers to create a vintage effect in Photoshop?

1 Choose a photo

The first step is to choose a photo that you want to apply the vintage effect to. Ideally, you should use a photo that has some contrast, detail, and color variation. You can use any photo you like, but for this tutorial, we will use a portrait of a woman with a hat.

2 Add a solid color adjustment layer

The next step is to add a solid color adjustment layer to create a sepia tone. To do this, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Solid Color and choose a warm brown color. You can adjust the color picker to find the right shade. Then, change the blending mode of the solid color layer to Color and lower the opacity to about 50%.

3 Add a curves adjustment layer

The third step is to add a curves adjustment layer to increase the contrast and brightness of the photo. To do this, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves and drag the curve up and down to create an S-shape. You can also adjust the individual channels (red, green, and blue) to fine-tune the color balance.

4 Add a hue/saturation adjustment layer

The fourth step is to add a hue/saturation adjustment layer to reduce the saturation and add some color variation. To do this, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation and lower the saturation slider to about -20. Then, check the Colorize box and move the hue slider to a slightly different color than the solid color layer. For example, if you used a brown color, you can move the hue slider to a reddish or yellowish tone.

5 Add a noise filter

The fifth step is to add a noise filter to create some grain and texture. To do this, create a new layer by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N and fill it with 50% gray by pressing Shift+F5 and choosing 50% Gray from the Contents menu. Then, go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and choose an amount of about 10%, a distribution of Gaussian, and check the Monochromatic box. Change the blending mode of the noise layer to Soft Light and lower the opacity to about 20%.

6 Add a vignette

The final step is to add a vignette to darken the edges and focus on the center of the photo. To do this, create another new layer by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N and fill it with black by pressing Shift+F5 and choosing Black from the Contents menu. Then, go to Filter > Lens Correction and click on the Custom tab. Move the Vignette Amount slider to the left until you get a subtle darkening of the corners. You can also adjust the Vignette Midpoint slider to change the size of the vignette. Change the blending mode of the vignette layer to Multiply and lower the opacity to about 50%.

You have now created a vintage effect in Photoshop using adjustment layers and filters. You can experiment with different colors, curves, and filters to achieve different results. You can also group all the layers and apply a mask to selectively apply the effect to certain parts of the photo.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?