Open up any random photograph, i'm using a building from sxc.hu. We'll use this image as a base for the banner, this helps define all the coloured edges of the design.
Firstly, resize this layer using Image, Image Size. Untick Constrain Proportions and reize your image to Width:720 pixels Height:150 pixels. Select OK. Rename this layer to "photo1". With this layer selected press the "create new fill or adjustment layer" button from the layers window and select curves. Create a flipped S shape to wash out the tones and contrast. Press OK.
Select this curves layer and press Ctrl+E to merge it with the "photo1" layer.
With the "photo1" layer selected, then go to Image, Adjustments, Hue/Saturation. Tick the colorize option, then play with the hue, saturation and lightness controls untill you find a colour you like.
For this tutorial i've made my layer green.
Next, Go to Filter, Noise, Add Noise. For my design i'm using Amount:12% and Distribution: Gaussian.
Duplicate the "photo1" layer by dragging and dropping it onto the "create a new layer" button in the layers window. Rename this layer "photo2".
With this new layer selected, go to Filter, Distort, Shear...
Create a zig-zag wave pattern and select Underfined Areas: Wrap Around. Go OK.
With layer "photo2" selected, change the blending mode from Normal to Difference. You should see something similar to this...
Finally, using a matching font add your text to the image. Then, change the blending mode of your text layer to Difference and your finished.
The same technique can be used to create desktop wallpapers, just resize your original image to your desktop resolution, 1024x769, 1280x1024...I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.
