A more and more users upgrade to browsers that support Alpha transparency, there are increased options for designers. A great way to get a visual effect on your images without manipulating the originals is through the use of overlays.

Say you have a picture of John Wayne:

Now this is great but you want it to look a bit older, weathered and aged. If you position an overlay on top of this image that contains some yellowness and some dust and scratches you can get that effect without changing the original.

Here’s the overlay:

What you need to do now is position the overlay over the top of the original picture of the Duke. It’s z-index needs to be higher and it’s position needs to be exactly over the top of the original. See example

Volia! that’s it. New style without changing the original.