1.) To begin, create a 9x9" document in Photoshop, then Create new guides at 3" and 6" both horizontally and vertically.
2.) Now, open your favorite Photoshop textures, whether your own or those included with Dirty Pictures, and crop 8 of them to 3x3" squares. (Can't find the Dirty Pictures files? Directions and locations here.)
3.) Tile the files in a pleasing manner, then add one final center image of your choosing to complete the look. I increased the canvas size to 12x12 inches, thus adding a white border for contrast to the finished Dirty Pictures mosaic.

To begin, pick an image that's going to look good with a light leak (or seven.) This one will do!


To finish, add some vintage-hued Totally Rad Actions, and voila! Light-leak heaven!


I'm a subtle girl, so I didn't go for an over-the-top finish, but you can obviously make it look like the sun hammered itself into your camera if you'd like.
Waddya think?
Oh, and if you'd like to be the first to know when our Lightroom presets hit, fill in the form below!
That's pretty cool.. and pretty damn simple.
Thanks for posting it!
I'm gonna try it today!
It's time to master layer masks in Photoshop! Learn what layer masks are, how to manipulate them, and how they fit into Photoshop actions. As with all of these videos, we pinky-swear you'll learn something even if you think you know everything there is to know about Photoshop layer masks.
Thanks for the video-I didn't know about the opacity shortcut with the keyboard.
(12.21.09 @ 01:01 PM)You guys are AWESOME! Just like your photo actions, your personal actions ROCK! Thank you for helping out an awesome cause.
JohnnyAngel ReyPhotography
Thanks for making these actions. They really help me reduce the amount of time it would take to learn all the stuff embedded within each of them. I use your actions almost every day, and can't imagine working without them. Keep up the good work, and thanks for making these kinds of donations.....
Gary
(12.07.09 @ 09:12 PM)Hey Guys, just wanted to let you know that your actions ROCK! I don't use them exclusively but they are one of the main set of actions that I use in editing photos. I especially love oh-snap to give that final punch in the teeth that a lot of photos need. Keep up the good work, can't wait for action set #3
(12.07.09 @ 01:42 PM)Hey Guys, just wanted to let you know that your actions ROCK! I don't use them exclusively but they are one of the main set of actions that I use in editing photos. I especially love oh-snap to give that final punch in the teeth that a lot of photos need. Keep up the good work, can't wait for action set #3
(12.07.09 @ 01:15 PM)What a wise mix of clarity... and fun simplicity.
Keep up the consistently good work.
(11.24.09 @ 04:14 PM)Thanks for the layers lesson! BTW, can you tell me which Action you used to demonstrate layer opacity on the playground shot? I love what it does to the sky and the metal equipment.
(11.24.09 @ 02:54 PM)Then you get sick of running the same six actions on photos over and over. You need to mix it up. You need a different black and white conversion, stat.
Why not layer black and white actions to create a new (but not over-the-top) look? My go-to black and white Photoshop action is Boring Old B&W. Yep, it's boring. But throw another B&W action on top at 30% opacity, and you've got an entirely different conversion on your hands.
Try it yourself, and let us know what you come up with! Submit an action recipe if you come up with an incredible combination, won't you please? That's awesome. I'm gonna have to try it.
(12.05.09 @ 06:26 PM)So cool! I would have never thought to layer B&W actions. I'll have to give it a go :)
(11.11.09 @ 07:48 AM)i love this with homestead - i always throw a small % of lux soft on top of BAMF, i like the softness and vintagey feel
(11.09.09 @ 02:30 PM)For you losers, (Kidding! Jeez!), a new Photoshop video tutorial from the mighty Boutwell. This bad boy tells you how to create a favorite action set, which will keep you from cursing your action palette from having to scroll through 6,874 actions for the four you use most. (Which are Totally Rad, of course.)
Please let us know what else you need help with in the comments -- ideas for Photoshop video tutorials are always welcome!
Wow, you read my mind! I was just trying to figure out if I could do something like this, like drag all the ones I use most to the top. This is awesome. More video tutorials, please!
(11.03.09 @ 06:08 PM)Don't forget to save your action set you just made! Highlight your new set and hit the Action Palette upper right button and click on Save. I use the name of my Custom Set and the date.
(11.03.09 @ 12:22 PM)I think you just saved my life, a million wasted hours AND made my day. Thanks!
(10.29.09 @ 03:42 PM)How about TRA discount codes as a consolation prize?
(10.29.09 @ 09:56 AM)Congratulations to Joy Lengyel!
TRA - thanks for the video!
oh well. Here's to hoping I get the book from Santa now. :)
Thanks for the video on favorite set!
Dammit....I thought for sure my breastless comment would guarantee a Posebook....oh well maybe next time! :) TRA rocks my socks off....keep it up.
(10.28.09 @ 01:09 PM)











Sweet idea! :)
(02.25.10 @ 11:14 AM)