Textures are something fairly new to me. A friend of mine introduced me to them and ever since I've been hooked. Its a great way to add character to a photo.
Choosing the photo is tricky… There really is no good tip for choosing it… its all in the eye of the artist. I'd say to try a few different textures and if you have any reservation about it, try something else.
To find textures you can google "Photo Textures" or check on FLICKR! I have a few links below that will lead you to free textures… Some of the textures may seem "small" when you download them.. The size doesn't matter much. If its small you just blow it up to fit the size of the photo you are using.
Link 1 -http://www.flickr.com/photos/chromaticaberrations/sets/72157603930832464/
Link 2- http://www.flickr.com/photos/90963788@N00/page2/
Steps for adding Texture to photo:
Step 1: Open the photo you would like to add the texture to. Already have it edited and ready to go.
Step 2: Open the Texture Separately.
Step 3: Once you have the filter open, click the arrow button on your tool bar (see above) and click the center of the texture (once) then drag the image over top of your photograph. You may have to move the texture box over some so you can see the photo box behind it.
Step 4: Once you have dragged the texture over you will see it on top of your photo.. It may cover the entire thing, or it may just be a small box on top of the photograph. You want your texture to be the same size as your photo. Just resize the texture over top of your photograph with the mouse. (Drag and Pull)
Step 5: Once it's resized, on your right side you will see the layers – 1 for your photograph, 1 for your texture. Click on the one for your texture. Once selected move the Opacity down to the level best suited for the photo (use your own judgment). The lower the number the more transparent the texture.
Step 6: Once you get it to the level you'd like… Go to Layer - Flatten Image
Step 7: Save 
And you are done!
Here's the finished result…
Textures can add a different kind of fun and beauty to your photos.
Posted by Drea – Panamerican 25 yr. old, Mother of 2 boys, Aspiring Photographer and Pastors Wife. I am told that I “Live in a Fish Bowl.” I want more than anything to be transparent and honest… and welcome the world into “our bowl.”
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I discovered photo textures a few months ago and I LOVE using them! I decided early on to use all my own textures, so for a few weeks I got on a texture-shooting kick and I now have a big collection I can use. I shot concrete, peeling paint, rust, wood grain, rocks, lichen, sand, you name it! I have a "Texturiffic" set on Flickr where I keep all my favorite creations:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahhallphotography/sets/72157603663671507/
I recommend using layer masks to selectively remove or reduce opacity of different areas of your texture (e.g. a person's face might not want as much texture coverage as the background). It took me a while to get used to masks, but now they're all I use!
Great post!
I absolutely LOVE playing with texture. Great article, Drea!
This is awesome – thanks for the tip!
Very cool. I am a beginner at all this and love to try the pre-packaged textures at picnik. With just a click you can try all sorts of things and see how they turn out.