You can use grayscale masks in conjunction with Photoshop's layer mask feature to create interesting edge effects. This site and many others offer free grayscale masks you can download for this purpose.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Open a photo and the mask you want to apply to it.
- If necessary, rotate the mask so it is the same orientation as the photo. (Image > Rotate Canvas)
- Active the mask image, go to Image > Image Size. While the Image Size dialog is on-screen, go to the Window menu and choose the file name of the photo you'll be applying the mask to.
- Click OK and the mask will take on the same dimensions as the photo.
- With the mask active, Select All (Ctrl-A/Command-A) and Copy (Ctrl-C/Command-C).
- Activate the photo and convert the background to a layer by double clicking the background in the layers palette.
- Switch to QuickMask Mode by pressing the keyboard shortcut Q.
- Paste the mask.
- Exit Quick Mask Mode by pressing Q again.
- Click the layer mask icon on the layers palette.
Tips:
- Experiment with layer styles or layer effects on the masked layer for more interesting effects.
