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How Do You Add a Dust Overlay in Photoshop?

Last updated on September 23, 2022 @ 11:45 pm

Adding a dust overlay in Photoshop is a great way to give your photos an aged look. It’s also a quick and easy way to add some interest to otherwise bland images. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the image you want to add the dust overlay to in Photoshop. Create a new layer by clicking on the “Create a new layer” icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.

2. Paste the dust overlay onto the new layer. To do this, open the image containing the dust overlay in Photoshop and press CTRL+A to select all, then CTRL+C to copy.

Return to the image you’re working on, make sure the new layer is active, and press CTRL+V to paste.

3. Change the blending mode of the dust layer to Screen. This will allow the black background of the dust layer to become transparent, making it look like it’s part of the image itself.

4. Adjust the opacity of the dust layer until you’re happy with the look. A lower opacity will make the dust more subtle, while a higher opacity will make it more pronounced.

5. Add a bit of noise for realism. Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and add a small amount of noise with a Gaussian Distribution and Monochromatic ticked.

And that’s it!

Adding a dust overlay in Photoshop is a great way to give your photos an aged look.

PRO TIP: If you are not familiar with Photoshop, or if you are not comfortable working with layers, this tutorial may not be for you. Adding a dust overlay in Photoshop can be tricky, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with a mess.
Morgan Bash

Morgan Bash

Technology enthusiast and Co-Founder of Women Coders SF.