5 Simple Tricks to Enhance Your Textures in Photoshop
I take a lot of texture photos. The macro lens in on my camera about 90% of the time waiting for the opportunity to find a perfect texture. In most cases though, textures are not design ready right out of the camera. Below I'll cover 5 simple tricks that I use to enhance my textures in Photoshop.
I usually don't use all 5 of these steps on a single texture. Usually I'll use one or two of them depending on the image, and how it's going to be used. Below we have a simple wood texture straight from the camera. It's not bad, but we can easily make it much better.
You'll notice that the levels form a hill in the center. If you drag the outer arrows in towards the beginning and end of the hill it will boost the contrast of the image.
I hope these simple steps have given you and idea of how many different ways there are to enhance and transform your textures before applying them to your designs.
I usually don't use all 5 of these steps on a single texture. Usually I'll use one or two of them depending on the image, and how it's going to be used. Below we have a simple wood texture straight from the camera. It's not bad, but we can easily make it much better.
![enh-tex-img1](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img1.jpg)
1. Duplicate and Overlay
One very simple method to subtly enhance the contrast and color is to duplicate the texture layer and set the duplicate's blending mode to Overlay.![enh-tex-img2](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img2.jpg)
![enh-tex-img3](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img3.jpg)
2. Levels Adjustment Layer
A fast way to boost the detail and contrast is to add Levels Adjustment Layer.![enh-tex-img4](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img4.jpg)
![enh-tex-img5](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img5.jpg)
3. Smart Sharpen Filter
Applying a Smart Sharpen (Filter | Sharpen | Smart Sharpen) will give your texture a nice crisp appearance. Below are the settings I used on the wood texture.![enh-tex-img6](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img6.jpg)
![enh-tex-img7](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img7.jpg)
4. Gradient Map
The great thing about applying a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer is that you can adjust the color tone of a texture as well as boost the contrast. Add the adjustment layer, then set the layer's blend mode to Overlay.![enh-tex-img8](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img8.jpg)
5. Curves Adjustment
Similar to a Gradient Map, the Curves Adjustment will allow you to adjust the color tone with a bit more control. Add a Curves Adjustment Layer, then apply adjustments to each channel separately. Below are the settings I used on the wood texture.![enh-tex-img9](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img9.jpg)
![enh-tex-img10](https://s3.medialoot.com/blog-images/wegraphics/enh-tex-img10.jpg)