Post-Processing Tip: Getting that Awesome Retro Look in your Photos

So, let's say you're bored with your dull photos and want a way to spice them up...Maybe you saw this awesome photo that was totally retro and cool? Well, today I'll teach you many ways to get that effect.

Here is the video tutorial, if this guide doesn't explain the process well enough.

First, I'll show you two images, just so you can see how different photos can look with a retro effect.

Before:

After:

Here is another Before/After

And more results: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4

As you can see, the colors are more saturated and contrasted, giving it a retro, unique look.

Now, there are a couple ways to do this; there was a method back in the days of analog photography called cross-processing (more on that later) which you can do in Photoshop, and a few ways using gradient maps.

What is Cross-Processing? Cross processing is the procedure of deliberately processing photographic film in a chemical solution intended for a different type of film (Wikipedia). With a simple curves layer, you can reproduce this cross-processing process in Photoshop.

Cross-Processing in Photoshop:

1. Create a new curves adjustment layer.

2. Change the channel from RGB to Red.

3. Raise the highlights and lower the shadows by clicking the curve and dragging it top left (to raise) and bottom right (to lower). -->

4. Do the same for the Green channel

5. Do the opposite (lower the highlights and raise the shadows) in the blue channel.

Switching back to the RGB channel, you should see something similar to this:



6. You can tweak each channel's curve to your liking. Each photo will usually require some unique tweaking.

7. Now, press OK and check out your new retro image.

8. You can change the blending mode from Normal to Color. As this takes out a lot of contrast, you will probably want to add contrast (by a Brightness/Contrast, Curves, Levels, etc. Adjustment Layer).

What is a Gradient Map? The gradient map adjustment puts a gradient layer on your picture, but unlike the gradient tool, it maps the colors to the levels of light in the picture. It is useful for changing color to black and white, for colorizing black and white pictures, and for generally altering the colors of your picture.

Using Gradient Maps in Photoshop:

1. Create a new Gradient Map adjustment layer.


2. Click the current gradient to bring up all of your gradients.

(Note: You probably do not have all of these gradients preloaded. If so, click the small triangle in the top right corner and load the default gradients from the Adobe>Photoshop>Presets>Gradients folder.)

3. Here is where you get to be creative: You can choose any gradient, and press OK, OK, and then set the blending mode soft light. You can also change the opacity for a less intense effect (Usually that is necessary).

You can also mess with the gradient settings in the adjustment layer, before you press OK. You can change how slow the transition of color is, add/subtract colors, and make your own gradient; among other things. You can also experiment with different blending modes, though I think Soft Light is the best.

Note: Feel free to use multiple different gradient maps on one photo. Sometimes this looks great.

Let's edit this portrait with a few gradient maps.


Here are some gradients I like to use:

Purple to Orange: Gives it an orange/brown/oldish tint, brings out the deep reds and purples. Good with most portraits.



Blue to Red to Yellow: To bring out the reds, make it more fiery

The Middle-Brightest Rainbow (the one all the way on the right in the gradient listing above): Makes the colors brigher and softer...Sometimes you lose a lot of contrast.

Purple to Green to Orange: Makes it dark and grungy. Good with portraits.



So there you have it. Here are two methods of making your photo a little more special. Have fun experimenting and finding that awesome retro look!