Creating a multiple framed photo

I found a tutorial in Digital Photo magazine issue 166 where a template of multiple frames was used to "frame" a photo.  It involved copying and pasting and was fairly abstract.  I decided to try this a different way in Photoshop Elements 10.

1. I created my own template by using the Custom Shape Tool.  I used a plane square shape because anything complicated or intricate in design will make it more difficult to select later on.  The first square was filled with black and the layer duplicated, made smaller and filled with white.

This created the "frame" that I wanted.  Next I merged the two layers and duplicated 5 times, positioning the frames where I wanted them.  I kept the background transparent.

Note:  for a better result make sure the frames sit tightly together without gaps.

2. Opened my photo, corrected colour, levels and added other adjustments until I was happy.  I saved this photo as a separate file and renamed Trip.  I don't want to work on the original file in case I want to work on it later.

3. Drag and drop or cut and paste the template into your photo Trip and resize if necessary to fit on the photo.  Rename this layer Template. Don't worry if you can't see the photo as yet because we first have to select and remove a few pieces.  Double click on the photo layer to unlock it and rename Trip.

4. Make sure that the Template layer is selected then using the Magic Wand tool, click once on each of the white squares of the template.  You may need to refine the selection if the template you created is more detailed.  Press delete and you should now have the frame outlines and be able to see the photo beneath.  Go to Select menu and click on Deselect.

5. Create a new layer beneath the Trip layer, rename Background.  Make sure this Background layer is selected, go to Edit<Fill Layer and under Contents select White.

6. Click on the Template layer, use the Magic Wand and click on the area around the outside of the frames.  Depending on your frame design you may need to click a few times to get the entire area around the frame template selected.  This is the excess that we will be removing.  With the area selected, click on the Trip layer then press delete. Go to the Select menu and click on Deselect.

The excess part of the photo should now be deleted.

7. You can now play around with the Background layer and use textures. gradients, or even add another photo for the background.  I used a dark red, then the Texturizer filter with Patchwork selected.

Merge layers and save.

That's it :-D.

Basic Tutorial: Cosmic Kitty

In this tutorial I'm going to show you how to turn a photo into something unusual using the Glowing Edges Filter in Photoshop Elements 10.  I'm going to go through each step in as much detail as possible for those not familiar with PSE.

I used the following brushes from Deviant Art
http://scully7491.deviantart.com/art/Starlight-Brushes-14754346
http://jonaskr.deviantart.com/art/Star-Brushes-Volume-1-90618682

I used a fire brush set called Assorted Fire Brushes by Skippy3e but can't find the correct link for it.  However, Deviant Art does have some great brushes like this one http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=photoshop+fire+brush#/dajtzk.

When you have download brushes some may come in a zip folder, unzip the folder first once downloaded.  I usually put my brushes in a folder called Brushes and store with my other editing tools.  It doesn't really matter where you store it on your computer as long as you know where to access it.

Program used: Photoshop Elements 10

Step 1: Open Photoshop Elements 10 and open the photo you want to use.  Here I used a photo I took of my cat Tiggy using a Lensbaby.

Step 2: The photo will be on a layer called Background.  Right click this layer and select Duplicate Layer. You will now have a layer called Background Copy.  Rename this layer to Main by right clicking the layer and selecting Rename Layer.

Step 3: Go to the menus at the top and select Filter then Stylize and the Glowing Edges.  A new window will open up with options.  You can change the options to suite you but I chose Edge Width - 2, Edge Brightness - 8, Smoothness - 5.  Select Ok.

Step 4: As in Step 2, duplicate the image an rename Blur.  Go to the menus above, select Filter then Blur then Gaussian Blur and change the Pixels to about 15.  This will create a type of glow.  On the Layers Palette change the Blending Mode to Screen.  Next to the Blending Mode is the Opacity, change this to 82%.

Step 5: Click on Create a New Layer and rename Gradient, change your foreground colour to red (#ca1919) and background to orange (#d96722).  Select the Gradient Fill button on the left, go to the top and select the Diamond Gradient.  Make sure the Gradient Layer is selected, then click and drag from the top left corner half way towards the bottom right corner.  This will create a gradient with the red being more to the top left corner.

Step 6: While the Gradient Layer is still selected go to the Filter menu then click Render and click Clouds.  Change the Blending Mode to Colour and the Opacity to 55%.

Step 7: Create a new Layer, rename Stars, click on the Brush Tool on the left then click on the Brush Presets at the top.  Click on the double arrow and select Load Brushes.  A new window will open, navigate to the folder that you saved your brushes to and choose the JS Scully7491 Starlight brush set.  

About 8 brushes will now show in your Brush Presets menu.  Choose the 500 brush, set your size to about 500 (depends on the size photo but use a medium to large brush).  Now click at the corners of the photo or wherever you want to add the "stars".  

Be careful with this brush as it has a larger "star" in it that sometimes doesn't turn out very nicely.

Alternate between this brush and brush 234 (size at about 450) to create different "stars".  With the 234 brush you can brush over the entire page if you want but use lightly so at not to "clog" up the photo.

Step 8: Open your brush presets and Load Brushes, choose Star Brushes Volume 1 by JonasKr and select the 453 brush and set the size to 450.  Click the top left corner or wherever you want the "star" to be.  Then select brush 433, leave the size at 433 (unless it's too small or big then increase or decrease) and click about 3 times across the bottom to create a star dust effect.

Step 9:The next layer is optional. Create a New Layer and rename Fire.  Open the and load the Fire Brushes.  Choose a brush, change the foreground to a red or orange and click around the edge of the object/subject (in this case the cat) and add a few flames in the middle.  

Alternate between red and orange with different flames until you are satisfied.  Then change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.  

If the colour is too strong add a Hue and Saturation Adjustment Layer (top menu Layer, Add New Adjustment Layer, Hue and Saturation Layer).  Bring the saturation slider down until you are satisfied.

Final result:

If you try this out and have any problems I will do my best to help you.  If you spot a mistake please can you let me know.

Enjoy!