Put An Edge Around Your Image

Open an image and use the "Rectangular Marquee Tool" to make a selection, leaving a 1/2 inch border around your image. Then click the "edit in Quick Mask button on the toolbar (or press the letter "Q" on the keyboard). The area outside of your selection now appears with a red overlay.

The mask is actually protecting the area of the image that it is covering. This way, when you apply filters to the image, the edges where the mask and the unmasked areas meet will be the only areas that are affected.

Applying the Spatter Filter

We'll use the spatter filter now to apply a jagged edge. Select: Filter/ brush strokes/ spatter. In the "Spatter" dialogue box, youill see a preview of the filter in the preview window. Adjust the spray radius and the smoothness of your brush to your preference by moving the sliders or putting in a numerical value. For this image we selected a spray radius of 25 and a smoothness of 15. Click OK. If you want to increase the effect of the filter at this point, you can apply the filter again.

Once you've finished applying the filter, click the "edit in standard mode" button on the toolbar or press the letter "Q" on the keyboard. Now select the inverse of your selection by choosing "Select" "Inverse". Press "D" on the keyboard. The background color on the toolbar should now be white. Then simply press (delete) Your image should appear to have torn edges.

Now that you have a basic understanding of how to create photographic edges, try applying different filters to your mask.