scratchy and dusty look

Heya there!
I'm new here, and I thought I begin asking a question I've been asking myself for quite a long time now...

How to make those scratches and dirty in a photo, so it looks either old or just like it have been in the drawer for much too long? (like picture number 15 in the site's entrance for example, or even that cool effect in picture 9 - the left side.)

I already got the hand on doing the borders using masks and filters, but I still don't know if I need a filter to do the rest or there's another way. (OT- oh my, sun! after that scary storm! ain't this one crazy planet)

Hope to get a reply soon!

Search the brushes in the "Resources" section. One method is to use grunge brushes on the eraser tool and stamp out scratch and grunge marks....

Grunge has many methods so I am sure there are a gazillion different ways to make that kind of effect. so keep searching.

Huh, sorry for my stupid ignorance, but... But what is this grunge brush thing? Does it come with that name or not? Cause i can't find it. Though I did find some interesting brushes to work with, I still can't make it look like I want. I know I'm posting this in Advanced Photoshop Help, but it's more because of my question, not because of my experience... So... I can't make it the way I want it...

Maybe you could help me make the effect on that picture (the number 15) so I can have a base to try other stuff? No? Humm... Either way, I'll keep experimenting.

Hum, this is what I was able to get: http://linkpictures.fateback.com/Nova%20pasta/queimou.jpg

http://qtone.sidez.net/

go there and download some of the brushes. (I think most are for photoshop 7 though....) if you dont have PS 7, then look for brushes for what ever version you are using.
Download them, then add them to your brushes folder in your photoshop directory.

Next time you open photoshop you can select a new brush set. What I meant by grunge is a style. It was really trendy a year or so ago in design, and still is around. You can use the brushes as erasers as well....

Yay! I found not only a good site for brushes, but THE site for this kind of brushes. So if anyone is interested here it is: http://nocturna.net/brushes/

Leaving now. Got to test some brushes. Thanks for your reply, Marble!

Yeah I have downloaded those brushes, I think I may have them installed =) those and the qtone ones would make a great set. They are real easy to make and pretty fun to put together brush sets. So when you get some time start making some =)

Here's what I made, just in case you're interested. I used not only those, but a bunch other cool ones I downloaded this morning: http://linkpictures.fateback.com/Nova%20pasta/olivia.jpg . I put together a few pictures I took in my last trip to the north of Brazil

Hey dude... i do alot work with grunge brushes... if you want talk to me on AIM and i can show u some cool sites and techniques... any time