Preserved Topic: faded edges on photo

I am using photoshop 5.5. on Mac. What is the simplest method of getting the edges of my photo to fade into the background. I have tried "featheing" and it still leaves hard edges and just fades inward, if that makes sense. Please help!

Susan the Art Director

on a layer mask, create a selection (shape is optional) fill the shape with black and invert the layer mask.

Now using the gaussian blur filter you can blur the layer mask incrementally til you get the fade look you need.

note: if the original photo is the background layer you will have to make it a regualar layer by doubling clicking it and renaming it to layer 0 or whatever ou need to.

Please hold my hand. I first open my photo and make sure that it is not on the background layer. Got that much. I then add a layer mask, create a selection, fill with black and I end up with a gray/white checkered box in the middle of my photo. I invert it and it disappears. With the same area still selected, I go to gausian blur and it shows a small white box and does nothing to the overall image when I adjust the blur either way. Where have I gone wrong?

Susan the Art Director

ok.. I forgot to say deselect... then blur..

the checker board is just PS tellling you that that area is transparent. If you create a new layer below the photo and fill it with white or anything you should be all set...

post back if thast not clear enuff

Thanks for your patience. I still must be missing something. I deselected the photo and went to gausian blur and still got white box with no effects on the original photo when I moved the blur tool left or right. And what exactly do you mean by adding another layer under the photo? By the way, this is my first experience with layers in case you couldn't tell.

Susan the Art Director

ok.. no probs...

1. open photo
2. make sure you the background layer is renamed (double click on it and rename it)
3. cllick on the add layer mask button to create mask for that layer
4 make a selection, fill it with black .. deselect........ invert the layer mask (image--adjust---invert)
5. making sure the layer mask is active.. use the gaussian blur filter, adjusting the slider to get greater blurs

this is a similar thing to the feathering a selection.. but you have more control and a visual as your blurring..

You are a genius. I CAN follow directions afterall. It worked. I am forever grateful.


Susan the Art Director

yw it can be confusing sometimes.. glad to help