Things You'll Need:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Digital image
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Step 1
Select a digital photo---from a digital camera or scan---that you would like to give a vintage appearance. Open the image in Photoshop, then go to "File" and "Save As" to save a copy under a different name and prevent any damage to the original.
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Step 2
Go to "Image" and "Image Size" to resize the image to 300 dpi resolution for print usage or 72 dpi for the Internet and save the image. You should also establish the width and height in the dialogue box, which is up to you; however, remember that the total file size should not be significantly larger than the original.
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Step 3
Desaturate the image by going to "Image," "Adjustments" and "Desaturate" to obtain a grayscale version of the image without losing color information. Do not use the "Grayscale" menu choice.
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Step 4
Tone the image as you like using an Adjustment Layer. Go to "Window," "Layers," "New Adjustment Layer"--which looks like a white and black circle at the bottom of the Layers palette--and then "Levels." If you want a very stark black-and-white image, you can instead go to "Image," "Adjustments" and "Equalize." You can also use "Auto Levels", under the "Image" and "Adjustments" tab on older versions of Photoshop; or the "Auto Tone" option under "Image" on CS4.
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Step 5
Sepia tone the image by going to "Image," "Adjustments" and "Variations." You will see the original image at the top left next to the altered version to the right. For a good sepia tone, click once on "More Yellow" and once on "More Red." This will give you a standard sepia-tone image, but you also can add or subtract colors to get the look you want.
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Step 6
Go to "Filter," "Distort" and "Diffuse Glow" to add a slightly fuzzy, dreamy dimension to the image. You can tweak the glow in the "Filter Gallery" pop-up.
