How Do You Make an Old TV Effect in Photoshop?

How Do You Make an Old TV Effect in Photoshop?

Do you want to give your images a vintage touch by adding an old TV effect? With Adobe Photoshop, you can easily achieve this nostalgic look. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to create an old TV effect using Photoshop's powerful tools and filters.

Step 1: Prepare Your Image

Start by opening your desired image in Adobe Photoshop. To ensure the best results, choose a photo that suits the theme of vintage television. For example, an image with a retro feel or a subject that resonates with the era of classic TVs.

Step 2: Create a New Adjustment Layer

To begin creating the old TV effect, go to the "Layers" panel and click on the "Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer" button (the half-filled circle icon). From the dropdown menu, select "Curves."

Step 3: Adjust Curves

In the "Properties" panel that appears, you will see a graph representing the tonal range of your image. To create a faded vintage look, click on the curve line and drag it downwards slightly. This will decrease contrast and make the highlights appear softer.

Note: Experiment with different curve adjustments to achieve your desired effect. Every image is unique, so play around until you find what works best for your photo.

Step 4: Add Noise Filter

To simulate the grainy texture often seen on old televisions, go to the top menu and select "Filter" > "Noise" > "Add Noise." In the dialog box that opens, adjust the amount of noise using the slider. Start with a low value around 3-5% and increase it gradually until you achieve the desired effect.

Step 5: Apply Scanlines

Scanlines were a characteristic feature of old TVs. To add them, create a new layer by clicking on the "Create New Layer" button at the bottom of the "Layers" panel. Name this layer "Scanlines. "

Next, go to the top menu and select "Filter" > "Render" > "Fibers." In the dialog box, set the variance to 20 and the strength to 4. Click "OK."

After applying the Fibers filter, go to "Filter" > "Blur" > "Motion Blur." In the dialog box, set the angle to 0 degrees and adjust the distance until you achieve evenly spaced horizontal lines."

To blend these scanlines with your image, change the blending mode of this layer to "Overlay" or experiment with other blending modes until you achieve a satisfactory result.

Step 6: Add Color Channel Separation

An old TV effect is incomplete without a color channel separation effect. To create this effect, duplicate your original image layer twice by right-clicking on it in the "Layers" panel and selecting "Duplicate Layer." Name these layers as Red and Blue respectively.

Hide one of these duplicated layers by clicking on its eye icon in the "Layers" panel.

Select one of the duplicated layers (e.g., Red) and go to the top menu. Choose "Image" > "Adjustments" > "Channel Mixer." In the dialog box that opens, tick the box for Monochrome and adjust each color channel's sliders until you achieve a red-only image."

Note: Repeat the same process for the other duplicated layer (e., Blue) to achieve a blue-only image.

Change the blending mode of each duplicated layer to "Screen." Adjust their opacity as desired to achieve the perfect color channel separation effect.

Step 7: Final Touches

Now that you have created the main elements of the old TV effect, take some time to fine-tune and experiment with additional adjustments. You can try adjusting brightness/contrast, adding vignette, or applying a sepia tone to enhance the vintage feel.

Congratulations! You have successfully created an old TV effect in Photoshop. Now you can use this technique to give your images a nostalgic charm and add a touch of retro style.

Remember: Don't be afraid to experiment and make adjustments according to your preference. Each image has its unique qualities, and playing around with different settings will help you achieve the desired vintage look.

• Tips:
• If you want stronger scanlines, duplicate the "Scanlines" layer and adjust its opacity accordingly.
• To intensify noise, duplicate the original image layer and apply more noise on top of it.

We hope this tutorial has helped you create an old TV effect in Photoshop. Enjoy giving your images a retro touch!