Hi, there. We're designing an invitation that we want to look like a 1940s movie poster. The images on those are often very stylized, and though I've tried to use the Photoshop "poster edge" function, it doesn't look quite right.

Here is sample of a the look (http://www.musicman.com/00pic/4180.html) we're going for. We appreciate your help!

You wont get the look with just one filter.
Smudging is a way but very time consuming.
Perhaps you can try and use two layers. One with a heavy noise reduction on, to get rid of all skin textures, and on the top layer use posterisation with some gaussian blur and blend them.

let's see the photo.

Here's a REALLY quick one that is 'similar' to what you are asking, and I mean, QUICK and similar too... :)
http://4dw.net/crisp/poster.htm

I say "quick", but I spent about 45 minutes on it doing it from scratch, and it could probably be done in less
time with an action.

This is a large file too, 'cause it's a ROLL-OVER, so both images have to load first, so be patient...

This is 'just kind'a' how I'd do it, I took the colors off of the Bogart poster supplied, just to kind'a show the
poster look, which works on that particular poster, but not on this woman.
Bogart http://www.musicman.com/00pic/4180.html
Anyway, it's quick, and not a really good image to work from, I believe that the starting image needs to have
the necessary 'look' to it to make it even begin to look like it's a poster.
My example is a prime example of what style image NOT to use! :)

Like Pindaro says, it would be better to see the image you have to give a better idea as to how it could be' done.

Randy

Sure, of course!

Here's the photo. (http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j127/writersinlove/thmidland.jpg)

(But we're taking engagement photos taken, so if a particular lighting design would help, we could always use that instead.)

This may be something like what you are trying for.

Steve

First,

The starting picture will make a lot of difference. Notice in the poster that the lighting is coming from our right and making shadows on our left. Also, there is a highlight coming from the back left (most noticible on Bogie's hair). [It may be worth noticing that the shadows of the letters are going the wrong way...]. You will also need a simple, plain background.

If you have a good, simple portrait to start with it will go far.

What you will then need is some level of simplification. You will then want to add lines (or keep lines) as needed. I did a Q&D with your supplied picture. Cut the background, modified the colors, and did an edge-preserving-smooth. It isn't ideal, but you can see some hints of where I was going.

-Jeff