You’ll learn how to make:
·        Vellum
·        Shapes (stripes and photo mats)
·        Drop Shadows
·        Text

Open Photo within Photoshop Elements

1. Choose File > Open and browse your system for photo.
2. Click photo of choice and then choose Open.

Resize Image: Choose Image>Resize>enter your preferred size and dpi.  Choose OK.

1. Select Rectangular Shape Tool on Tool Bar.
2. Choose White Foreground Color (Type X on keyboard to make foreground default to White).
3. Using mouse draw rectangle to cover photo.
4. Decrease opacity. Click Layers at the top right of the menu panel so the Layers Palette expands, as shown below.
5. Choose the white shape layer and at top of layer menu, lower opacity to desired amount; for mine I chose 60%.

1. Choose the Background photo layer in the layer palette.
2. Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool on the tool bar.  Using the mouse, draw a shape over what you would like to be the focal point.  I drew a shape to include the boy and the watering can.
3. Choose Edit>Copy (Ctrl-C) and Edit>Paste (Ctrl-V).
4. Move the new focal photo layer up above the vellum layer, by clicking and dragging upward in the layer palette.

1. I created my photo edge shown at the top of this article using Jasc Paint Shop Pro’s Layer Masks function.  They also have awesome Frames with messy edges.  Get a free trial version of Paint Shop Pro at www.jasc.com.
2. You can also create a simple, rectangular, white mat to accent this focal photo by repeating the steps above to make the vellum overlay (don’t reduce opacity, though). 
3. First make the layer below the photo the active layer (so the new shape will be below the photo in the layer palette).
4. Draw the rectangle to be about ¼ inch larger than the focal photo on all sides.

1. If desired, add drop shadow to white shape, for added dimension.
2. Choose Layer Styles on right menu panel, select Drop Shadows from drop down menu, select Low, or your preference (see Adobe’s help for more information on adjusting your preferences).

1. Click the Text tool on the tool bar and set the text options as below:
   Font: Garamond, Microsoft; (also used Monterey BT, MyFonts.com)
   Size: 30 - dependent on size and dpi of your layout (tip: the dropdown shows a maximum size of 72 points for font size, however, just highlight the size with the mouse and type in any size you’d like)
   Click the Text Color Box on the top Tool Options Palette.
   Color: Using the color picker tool, click on any color in the photo you’d like for your text color.  I chose white (HTML: FFFFFF).

2. Place cursor in position on layout where you want title to appear.

3. Type title, adjust position and size, if necessary.

4. Add additional text in different fonts and colors, where desired.

5. Add drop shadow, if desired.

1. Using same instructions as for the photo mat, create long stripes around the edge of the layout using different colors for each.
2. Also, create other accent photos (beneath “child” and “nature”) with white mats and shadowing, by repeating steps above.

Save Layout

You’re done!  Save as a .psd file to retain layers (choose File > Save > Format: Photoshop *.PSD).  Save as a .jpg to share on the Internet (resize to 72 dpi for this option).  Good luck enjoying the ease and versatility of digital!