Aged background tutorial:

[christellf]

FYI- I am using PSE 5.0

Aged background tutorial:

Duplicate original (Ctrl +J)
Go to Enhance>Convert to B/W….click more red 3 times…click more blue 1 time.. then OK. (adjust for different photos)
Drag this layer to Create a New Layer.
On new layer Go to Filter>adjustment>photo filter>sepia….density about 50%.
Blend mode to color burn.
If highlights are too bright or dark, go to:
Enhance>adjust lighting>shadows & highlights.
Adjust highlights & adjust midtone contrast.
Merge top 2 layers…Rename “Sepia Photo”

Click on “Sepia photo” layer.
Use cookie cutter tool>crop shape 11>feather about 30 px. (or pick your own shape) & crop photo.
Use burn tool-soft brush- about 60 % opacity & click around edges of photo & on highlights to darken.
Stroke photo layer with black-10 px.-then OK.
Apply Bevel>Simple sharp inner>adjust if needed.

Go to Background layer. Right click-make a layer from Background. Rename it “Brown background”.
Fill this layer with Dk. Brown.
Create a new layer above Brown background layer. Rename: “Old Paper”.
On this layer apply photo effects>image effect>old paper. It makes it Old Paper copy.
Merge “Old paper” layers together.
Use the Burn tool & burn around edges of old paper about 60% exposure with soft brush.
Apply Bevel>simple sharp inner> & adjust size.

Final layer order:

Sepia photo
Old paper copy
Brown Background

Example below:

[swalkr]

Thanks christellf for posting this tut, and a BIG THANK YOU for stating what version you use. Makes life easier for the rest of us.