Edges, shading help for a newbie

Hello,

I am a total beginner, I am a visual artist, no computers, just plain canvas, acrylic or oil paints, pencils, brushes etc...

I have photoshop version 7.0. and I believe I should be able to get what I need but it is extremely difficult to use!!! I have tried tutorials and books, yet it seems that in order to learn it by myself I will need to study the program for days and weeks before acheiving the simple results I need.... I cannot afford the time...

what I am trying to learn is how to give the images of my artwork (paintings) an edge, as if it is a 3d canvas, and a shading to the edges, or just a shading. Also, I would like the corners a little rounded, but not a lot.

I have other needs, but I will have to learn to use the program for these, especially editing the colors, since an accurate photo of an original painting is seldom acheived, especially in terms of colors. If there is a very simple guide you can recommend I'll be happy to try it.

However, if anyone can help me with shortcuts on how to use the program for the basic purposes I mentioned (edges, corners, shading) I would really appreciate it.

Thank You,
Iris

I sounds like what you are looking for is a vignette.

Here's how

1. Open a photo.
2. Convert the background to a layer by double clicking on it. (Give it a name if you wish.)
3. Select the Rectangle Marquee tool. (for rounded corners add a feather radius in the options at the top of the photoshop window)
4. Drag a marquee selection around the area of the photo you want to keep.
5. Click the "Add layer mask" button at the bottom of the layers palette.
6. Click on the layer mask thumbnail in the layers palette.
7. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and make sure the Preview option is checked.
8. Adjust the radius until you are happy with the amount of fade and click OK.
9. Add a layer under the photo and fill it with the desired background.

Also in version 7 there is a "vignette" action preset in the actions pallet. Just make a selection and click the Go button.


A simple method to get several different kinds of photo border effects
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial/Photo-Borders/6408

WOW, thank you, this is my first time doing anything with this monster (no offence... but this program is really so difficult I started to think of it as that).

I've managed to do as you suggested. I may also want to darken the shade of the edge a bit. If there is a way to also blur the line between the layers, that would be even better. But it's so, so complicated, everything about it.

I suppose once you learn to use it, it isn't that bad, is it?

The vignette option would be great, but again, it's not simple to use it, I have no idea how, I tried.

I would also like to know how to make a shade effect, around a picture.

Thank you for your help!