If you are like me, you love finding resources online for your work.  When they are hi-res that is great.  When they are hi-res AND free that is even better.  Here are 8 new hi-res grunge textures for you to use in your work.  All of the images are 4256px x 2832px and 300DPI.

To download the hi-res version, click on the image below.  Terms of use are available at the hi-res page.

TXTR26:

TXTR27:

TXTR28:

TXTR29:

TXTR30:

TXTR31:

TXTR32 (Not sure what happened here, but this one is a bit smaller than the others):

TXTR33:

If you use these, I would love to see your creations.  Credit/links back are not required but encouraged and appreciated.

I was out playing with the camera today, trying to snag some shots of the leaves.  Not that it would be difficult, considering my yard is being overtaken by them.  After taking a few quick shots, I brought them into Photoshop.  I wanted to enhance the image just a notch with additional sharpness, and since it was something that I could use again elsewhere, I thought others might as well.

Here is the shot out of the camera (D700, 50mm, f/1.4, ISO 200, 1/2000 shutter):

Not too shabby, but it could benefit from a little punch.  First, I started with the sharpening and then threw a solid color adjustment layer on top (I used #ac49da as the color).  I masked out the middle portion of the adjustment layer to let the green come through a notch.  Here is the final image:

If you are interested in the sharpening action, you may download it here. Prints can be purchased here.

There are many ways to soften skin in Adobe Photoshop. Recently I found a process that I have enjoyed, and one that is quite simple as it only involves a few steps.  Given that those steps are typically the same each time, I packaged the steps up into a quick Photoshop Action and am offering here for free download.

Download Photoshop Action here.

Installation
In Adobe Photoshop CS4, open your Actions palette (ALT + F9) and then click on the drop down to the top right of the menu.  Select “Load Actions” from the menu.  Browse to where you saved the Skin Softener action and load the action.

It will then appear in your Action Palette.

Given what the action does, it is recommended that you begin with a flattened image.  Select the “Dub’s Skin Softener” action and click the “Play” icon to fire off the process.

Follow the dialog boxes and you are done!

I have been scanning in old slides taken by my great-grandfather.  Some of these slides are really interesting to look at.  While scanning them, I came across an empty frame.  Thinking it would make for a decent TtV, I scanned it in.  Bringing it into Photoshop for a few minor adjustments and texture additions seemed to just polish off the process.

View the entire set or download each image individually:

Dubtastic TtV 001
Dubtastic TtV 002
Dubtastic TtV 003
Dubtastic TtV 004
Dubtastic TtV 005

Usage Guidelines:

1. You may use these stock photos (those only marked as such) in any project: personal, commercial, profit, non-profit.
2. A link back and credit is appreciated.
3. You may NOT modify these and redistribute, even if not for profit.
4. You may use these in printed publications, graphics, artwork, etc without obtaining prior permission from me.  If you are using any of the stock photos in a printed publication, flyer, etc, I would love to see a final version of how the photos were used.
5. By using this TtV image, you agree to smack your significant other on the right butt cheek while screaming my name.  If you are currently single, any random person will suffice.
6. If you are with a magazine publisher and wish to cover mount these on a CD for inclusion in a specific issue, please let me know and I would be glad to provide you a single zip file.

Tinkering around a bit this afternoon with some camera raw settings and thought I would share: Afternoon Warmth.

Here is the original image, straight out of the camera  (70mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 200):

As you can see, I have been enjoying the new lens (Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8). The above image is nothing to get excited about.  It is just a few leaves with some bokeh background.  Shooting in raw really gives you so much more control over your photos and allows you to make some quick adjustments.  One aspect about camera raw that I love is the ability to save your settings and reapply them to other photos. For example, check this image out below:

Obviously some post processing in Photoshop, yet the foundation was set within the raw settings.  I also ran a few actions courtesy of littlemisspatricia to bring in the colors that I wanted. Once I had the file where I wanted it prior to running the actions, I saved the camera raw preset.  The presets are easy to use.  Simply save the file to a specific directory (I keep all of my presets under the Program Files > Adobe Photoshop CS3 > Presets directory).  When you open camera raw, right click in the menu area (see below) and select “Load Settings”.  Browse to where you saved your files and you are good to go.

Below is the original image with the “Afternoon Warmth” preset applied to it (as well as increased vignetting):

DOWNLOAD: Afternoon Warmth Camera Raw Preset

I have received a lot of positive feedback from the first set of hi-res grunge textures that I released back in May. I like the idea of throwing out some large images for others to use without locking it down so there are a ton of silly rules.  I always get frustrated when I locate a resource but run into an obstacle placed there by the creator. So without further delay, here are ten more hi-res grunge images suitable for photomanipulations.

Rules for Use

+ You may use these stock photos (and only photos marked as such) in any project: personal, commercial, profit, non-profit.
+ You are not required to link back to me, give me credit, shake my hand, walk my dog, bake me a cake, or do anything else aside from use the stock photographs.
+ However, a link back and credit is appreciated. I would, however, appreciate it if you would tag your photos and post a small version of how you used the photo here.
+ You may use these in printed publications, graphics, artwork, etc without obtaining prior permission from me.  If you are using any of the stock photos in a printed publication, flyer, etc, I would love to see a final version of how the photos were used.
+ If you have a fish tank, you have to rename at least one fish after me. If you do not have a fish tank you are required to write my name on at least one bathroom mirror in your home.  Please use either pink or purple lipstick.
+ You may NOT modify these and redistribute.

These initial 10 textures will fit right in with those images you are look to grunge up or add some texture to.

One frustration of mine is finding a great resource and then having your hands tied by some overly exhaustive guideline provided by the creating artist.  Sometimes I believe that people get too carried away with the rules and restrictions they apply to their resources. Especially when they might be searching for some resources and become frustrated by restrictive guides as well.  A recent rant of mine talks about people uploading photos to a FREE stock photo site, yet requiring the user to contact them, etc.  I digress. I want to avoid all of that with my textures, which is why I am encouraging the outright abuse of these textures.  Well, you get what I mean. So these textures are for your use and abuse.  I do have a few guidelines (scroll down) , but I believe you will find them relatively easy to follow.  If not, then perhaps you should stop using the computer all together.

You may download the hi-res by clicking on the texture below, or view the whole set.

Rules

• You may use these stock photos (those only marked as such) in any project: personal, commercial, profit, non-profit.
• You are not required to link back to me, give me credit, shake my hand, walk my dog, bake me a cake, or do anything else aside from use the stock photographs.  However, a link back and credit is appreciated. If you like to run around your house naked except for potholders, it would be cool if you would scream my name a few times.
• You may NOT modify these and redistribute, even if not for profit.
• You may use these in printed publications, graphics, artwork, etc without obtaining prior permission from me.  If you are using any of the stock photos in a printed publication, flyer, etc, I would love to see a final version of how the photos were used.

These were made from scanning in post cards from my grandfathers collection. Many of the dates are in the 1910-or-so range.

There are 20 brushes in all, most of which are 2500px. There are brushes of the stamps & postmarks, which are not quite 2500px, but as large as I could make them without losing any quality.

Feel free to use these in any type of project, personal or commercial. No permission is needed from me prior to using them. The only thing I ask is that you do not alter and redistribute them without prior permission.

These brushes are said to be included on the most recent issue of Photoshop Creative magazine.

Download via Deviant Art {22.9MB}

These brushes were created from a very small sampling of post cards.  The post cards were with items that my grandfather kept in his World War II collection.  Looking at the postage, many of the cards pre-date WWII.  Regardless, the imagery is stunning to me, as is the dated feel to them.  What better way for them to live in than through brushes?

Download (via Deviant Art) {9.39MB}
Download (via Brusheezy) {9.39MB}

8 new Adobe Photoshop brushes created from photographs taken of old dumpsters.  Feel free to use and abuse these.  Send them to counseling.  Commercial, non-commercial, etc. is acceptable.  Just do not modify or offer them for distribution without prior permission.

Hit up Brusheezy for the download link, or visit Deviant Art.

If you are interested in the photos used to create the brushes, you can download the stock photo packs here: Dumpster Pack I, Dumpster Pack II, Dumpster Park IIb.