Burned Edge in Photoshop Elements

Anyone who reads Pioneer Woman knows that she has the most awesome tricks and "actions" using Photoshop. I have been using both Photoshop CS3 and Elements 6 and, while there is no comparison, find myself using Elements more often. I can remember what to do in the "easy" Photoshop Elements! It's easier. It's elemental...or something. So, here is one tip to doing an action I love, the easy way. I hate the word "easy" when it comes to technology because one person's easy might be another person's worst nightmare. But, I promise, if you have Elements, this is EASY!


First, open the image. From the Menu bar, select Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color


Click OK, past the first Dialog Box. Then in the second select Black as your color. Click OK once again.


So you have this black layer over the top of your picture. You are now going to select the Rectangular or Elliptical Marquee tool to select an outline for the image. This is the portion that will be blurred. Right click on the tool to choose which shape. Drag your mouse over your selection.


Hold the Control key down on the keyboard and hit the Backspace. This removes the center of the layer.



Almost done! Now click the remaining black layer to unselect or Ctrl+D. Click Filter > Blur > Gaussain Blur... I don't know what it means either.


Pull the Radius to the right until you get the blurred effect your heart desires. Click OK. If it is not light enough for you just decrease the Opacity of the fill layer.

Viola! You did it!