Help with Black Vignette

[Rose]

I need help putting a black vignette around a photo.

I have created a white vignette using Scott Kelby's steps in the Photoshop 3 book, but when I try to change the color to black, I get the checkerboard gray/white background. I am sure I am missing a simple step, but can't seem to fix it.

Can anyone help?

[Wendy]

Hi Rose ...

The checkerboard is just showing you that you have a transparent layer ... in the original methos is the white on its own layer?

Just check in the layers palette and let me know ... :)

Wendy

[Rose]

Wendy, I have just one layer and see the checkerboard on the edges. I tried adding a layer and making the foreground and background black, but neither helped.

Can you tell what I am missing?

[Carbone]

Ok, you need to create a new layer under the current image.

Next, click on the foreground colour chip (bottom of the tool palette, the upper colour chip). When you click on this, you'll have the colour dialog box.

Then, using the paint bucket tool or Edit / Fill command, make this empty layer filled with black.

Hope this helps!

Ray

[Rose]

OK, I did it, but tell me if this is the best way:

I couldn't figure out how to add a layer beneath my layer, so I duplicated the background layer, went to the original background layer and filled it with black.

Also, once I have chosen the feathering for my vignette, can I get back into it to change the % feathering? I don't see anything in the "history" section.

Thank you so much for your time!

[MikeH]

I couldn't figure out how to add a layer beneath my layer

Hi Rose,

To add a layer beneath a layer, hold the Ctrl key down (or Command for a Mac) at the same time.

Mike

[Wendy]

Hi Rose ...

Sadly one you have done the feathering its not possible to change it :(


Wendy

[Rose]

Thank you all for your help. I learned something new today!

[Wendy]

Hi Rose ...

Hope the final version turned out OK :)

Wendy

[kevq]

Rose,
Here is another way of making a vignette, that allows you to change the background colour easily.

1 Open picture (control J so that you are not working on the original)

2 Use the elliptical marquee tool to select your area.

3 Create a new layer, press control - backspace to fill your selection with black. Deselect

4 Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur, set the blur to your choice. Enter OK.

5 Back in the layers palette drag the filled ellipse layer under your picture layer.

6 Click on the photo layer and press Control G.

7 Create an adjustment layer using Solid Colour, pick your choice of colour.

8 Drag this adjustment layer to the bottom of your layers.

9 Control click on the ellipse layer.

10 Go to Image - Crop. This centres the vignette.

If you want to change the colour just double click on the adjustment layer and change it.

Hope this of some help.

Kev.