In this tutorial you'll learn how to simulate a cross processing style effect in Photoshop, for a great looking result.
First open your photo in Photoshop. Bright, sunlit portraits work best - you can download the photo I've used here.
Click on the adjustment layer button at the bottom of your layers panel, and choose Gradient from the menu.
Use a black to transparent Gradient and set the Style to Radial with the Scale at 150%.
Now change the layer's blending mode to Soft Light, and set its Opacity to 50%.
This will have darkened the borders of your photo, giving it a subtle vignette.
Next add a Curves adjustment layer.
In the dialog box, choose Red from the drop down menu. Add three points to the slider, arranged as shown above.
Then choose Green and add another 3 points to create a curve like the one above.
Finally choose Blue and move the top right point slightly downwards, and move the point at the bottom left slightly upwards.
This will have altered the colour balance of your photo, giving it a cross processed appearance.
Next add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer.
Set the Brightness to +15, and the Contrast to -25.
This drop in contrast means your photo will now have a washed out appearance.
Next add a Solid color adjustment layer.
Set the colour to #725c38.
Set the layer's blending mode to Color and the Opacity to 25%.
Now your photo has a slight sepia tint.
Lastly we'll add some noise to the photo.
Click on the new layer button.
Go to Edit>Fill, and choose 50% Gray, click OK.
This will fill your layer with grey.
Now go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise.
Set the Amount to 100%, and make sure the Monochromatic box is ticked.
Next we'll blur the noise a little.
Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur, and set the Radius to 0.5 pixels.
Set the noise layer's blending mode to Overlay, and take its Opacity down to 15%.
And here's the final result.
