Retro coloured/photocopied look

[donjohnson]

A common look in retro posters etc, almost like it's a posterized filter but more organic, any ways to reproduce this in photoshop? Referring to the treatment of the photograph of the three men

 

[IamSam]

If you look closely, you can see this has what's called a halftone effect......


Here's one of several ways to accomplish the effect.

Open your image

Duplicate (Ctrl + J) your image two times.

Select the 2nd layer from the top and set the blending mode to Overlay.

Select the top layer and Go to Filter > Sketch > Halftone Pattern. Adjust the setting to taste. Set the blending mode to Color Burn. Lower the layers opacity if needed.

Duplicate (Ctrl + J) the top layer you just altered and set the blending mode to Soft Light. Lower the layers opacity if needed.

(I did not cut this guy from the background as was done in the original)


There are also some color changes you can make so it will appear more vintage.

 

[IamSam]

Here's another good tutorial on the effect: https://creativepro.com/creating-a-retro-comic-book-effect-photoshop/#

 

[donjohnson]

Thanks for your help! I understand the halftoning, but it's more the flatness of the other colours that seems harder to replicate. They seem to be completely flat with all the shading just coming from the black?

 

[agentmoeller]

I think what you are talking about, at least in the faces of the subjects, is probably done with a gradient map.

If you select just the faces of your subjects, copy them, and put them on their own layer, you can create a gradient map adjustment layer to get that flat colouring look.

See below.

Agent