Mottled Backgrounds
Keywords: photoshop, background, digital photography, camera

Here's a few hints on how to do it.
1. Start with the the Clouds Filter (>Filters>RenderClouds) to create your inital layer.
2. Create a new layer , using the Clouds Filter again; use different colors and Layer mode. You can also copy a portion of your clouds and enlarge it (CTRL+T) to create different sizes of Clouds.

3 . Play with the Lightning Effects Filter (>Filters>Render>Lightning Effects).

4 . Use as many layers as you'd like, try lowering the opacity for each layer or using a different Layer Mode.

5 . Tweek it using Curves or Hue/Saturation.

6 . Put the final touch with the Dodge Burn Tools.

7. Once you have added you image in front of it, you might want to blur the background a bit.

You could use one of my ePAPERS as a good starting point for your digital backdrops.

Here is a few examples.