I've received a few requests for info on the frame I've recently standardized on. My objective was to create a frame that would subtly ehance a picture without competing with it, and I think this one works reasonably well. Here's an example.

http://www.pbase.com/image/26395581.jpg

It's a cinch to make.

Start off with a picture that's been sized to 680 pixels in its longest dimension. It can be slightly larger or smaller, but if it's too far from that size, you'll need to adjust the border sizes I'm going to create.

Create a duplicate layer.
Select the background layer, and change its color to black.
Create a duplicate background layer.
Select the background layer, and change its color to white.

You should now have 3 layers. The top layer is the picture, the middle layer is pure black, and the bottom (background layer) is pure white.

Set the background color to white.
Increase the canvas size by 70 pixels in height and width.
Select the middle layer and apply 15 pixels of Gaussian blur.


You should now have a picture casting a non-directional shadow over a white border. The rest of the process consists of applying layer effects (stroke and bevel) to the top (picture) layer. Here's a snapshot of the settings for each.

Stroke:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26636424.jpg

Bevel:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26636425.jpg

Note: Photoshop Elements doesn't offer the Stroke, but that's a small issue. To apply the bevel, go to layer effects and select [bevel], [simple inner]. Then go to the top menu, and click on [layer - layer style - style settings]. Then you'll be able to adjust its size to taste.

Here's a snapshot of the Photoshop page with the process completed so you could view the entire process.

http://www.pbase.com/image/26636423.jpg

It's easy to write an action for this frame that includes your signature.

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Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter
Contributing Editor, digicamhelp.com
www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix