Texture Use and Overlays + Free Downloads

Whether doing design work or photography, I love using textures. In design, when done in a subtle, appropriate way, it can add depth and interest to an otherwise flat and stale piece. Recently a client and friend of mine, photographer Kimberly Jarman, asked me to work on an update for her blog background. Instead of the typical full page "repeating pattern" background, I used a mix of textures over a gradient. Both Kim and I love how this turned out! You can view her full blog at www.kimberlyjarman.net.

Texture Use in Photography
Years ago I started to notice different fine art photographers use of texture and began working with some on my own photography. I love the way it can transform an image into an art piece, create an aged look, or simply something unique. Below are a few examples, showing the original photo and the textured version. These were all created using either one simple texture overlay in Photoshop (typically the Linear Burn, Multiply, or Overlay Blending Mode) or in some cases I used multiple textures with additional dodging, burning or edits to the image.

Free Textures
Whether you're looking for textures to include in design or photography here's a free, high-res texture to download (shown in the first image set above): Click Here for Free Texture Download


Also, a simple Google search for "Free Textures" will bring up dozens of freebies online... here are just a few that I've used:
Free Textures on Flicker
Free B&W + Grunge Textures
CGTextures.com