Refinement with Textures

 Using texture overlays is a great way to add character and flair to the final processing of some images. Traditional processing cannot produce the eye-catching distinction achieved with the superimposition of a texture onto a digital photograph.

You can produce your own textures by photographing interesting natural textures, but there are many sources of textures online, too. So, why spend time re-inventing the wheel when it's already rolling for you.

Shot of a pool with a Texture Bite added.

My favorite online source is the Texture Bites package from Photomorphis. Each Bite design comes as a four-layer Photoshop file. Three layers are textures, and the other layer is used to direct placement of your original file within with the texture files.

Antique International Harvester Roadster shot at the National Automobile Museum. Texture Bites brings distinction to this image.

Open your image in your photo editor capable of handling layers. Then open the Texture Bites file and copy all four layers, then close Texture Bites. Paste the copied layers into your image file and position the layers, resizing each of the pasted layers to fit your photo. Readjust transparency and blending for the best look.

The Crockett County Courthouse with Texture Bites and an old film look.

There are two challenges with Texture Bites. First, is finding the right Bites design for your image. You may have to try several to achieve the correct effect. Second, and most importantly, close the Texture Bites Photoshop file without saving or merging. If you merge and save, that texture design can never be used again.

Black and white and Texture Bites provide an appropriate visual interpretation of this antique Linotype printing press.

Photomorphis Texture Bites was designed by acclaimed Seattle photographer Doug Landreth. Unfortunately the company disappeared from the internet with no explanation during the Covid pandemic. Landreth still has a personal website selling prints of his photography, but there's no reference there to Photomorphis.

For those of use who invested in the Photomorphis textures, thanks to Doug.

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