How to Fade Edges of Image... Seriously!?

[jordans1818718]

Hi Photoshop community,

I feel really annoyed and stupid.  I cannot fade the edges of an image to save my life!

I have been searching through the forums and use cases yet everything is extremely complicated and ineffective.

This seems like such an easy task.  I want to fade the edges of my images all at the same standard, while keeping the image shape (in this case a square).

can someone provide me a how to to create images like this...

I did this in word (sadly):

My Goal:

Create a square shape with the proper feather edges and then layer mask each image I want to fade in, so that I can produce these type of images (in single serving) rapid fire.

Can someone PLEASE explain to me how to properly feather edges in photoshop?

This has been my Achilles heel.

Thank you very much for the support!

[Trevor.Dennis]

If you are using Photoshop CC, go Filter > fx > Vignette or Post Crop Vignette.  Move the amount slider to the right which will produce a white feather.  The other controls let you control the shape etc.

Note: this works on the layer selected.  If you have several layers, then add a copy merged layer to the top of the stack (Shift, Ctrl, Alt, E).  If you make that layer into a Smart Object (from the right click menu) it will be non-destructive.

[jordans1818718]

Hi Trevor,

I am using photoshop CC, but I don't seem to have fx... is this a filter you downloaded online?

[davescm]

jordans1818718  wrote

Hi Trevor,

I am using photoshop CC, but I don't seem to have fx... is this a filter you downloaded online?

Hi

Trevor's description should have read Filter > Camera Raw Filter> fx > Vignette or Post Crop Vignette

Dave

[davescm · Accepted solution]

Of course you could just use a layer style adding a white inner glow from the edge

You can then save that style (click on New Style) and add it to your library for other images

Dave

[jordans1818718]

It worked!  Thank you so much Dave!  A simple and extremely effective solution I can repeat rapid fire!

This has been such a struggle for me.  Thanks again!

[davescm]

You're welcome

Dave

[Trevor.Dennis]

davescm  wrote

jordans1818718   wrote

Hi Trevor,

I am using photoshop CC, but I don't seem to have fx... is this a filter you downloaded online?

Hi

Trevor's description should have read Filter > Camera Raw Filter> fx > Vignette or Post Crop Vignette

Dave

Thanks Dave.  I was doing my Citizens Advice shift when I answered that, and we obviously don't have Photoshop there.  I should have been able to do it from memory all the same.  I sometimes like tp start with the feather set to zero so that you can see the shape of the vignette.

Then bring up the feather to suit.  It's been my favourite way to add a vignette for as long as we have had Camera RAW as a filter.

I almost routinely add a vignette to my event type shots to centre focus onto the subject.  It helps a lot with the very strong sunlight we get here, and that you can't control when covering this sort of work.

[davescm]

No worries Trevor - I assumed it was just a typo but not being sure when you would be back I thought I would clarify for Jordan (the OP)

Dave

[Dean_Utian]

Here's how you could do what you want, as I understand it.

1. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to select your square shape. Press the Shift key when selecting your area to ensure the selection stays square in proportion.

2. From the Select drop-down menu choose - Select > Modify > Feather (Shift + F6).

3. Enter the number of pixels for the Feather Radius and click OK.

4. Next - Select > Inverse.

5. In a new layer, you could then fill (Edit > Fill) this area with white.

Hope that addresses what you're after.

[jordans1818718]

Hi Dean,

I tried your method and it did not work.

Also, I'm not sure what you mean going from step 4 to 5 can you elaborate?

[Dean_Utian]

Hi,

Apologies for the confusion. Screenshots are always helpful so will try with a few now. Was having a few problems on taht side but hopefully what's below will fill the gaps.

1. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to select your square shape. Press the Shift key when selecting your area to ensure the selection stays square in proportion.

2. From the Select drop-down menu choose - Select > Modify > Feather (Shift + F6).

3. Enter the number of pixels for the Feather Radius and click OK.

I chose 3 for the above image which is quite small (100x100 pixels).

4. Next - Select > Inverse.

New step
5. Create a new later by clicking the Create new layer icon as below or the 4 horizontal lines icon in the top right corner and then choose New Layer..., or Shift+Ctrl+N.

New step
6. Choose Edit > Fill. (Shift+F5)
7. Choose White as Contents.

Result should be something like below:

Looking at other options, if you wanted a feather from the exact edges of your image, using an Inner glow effect would be the quickest.

Hopefully the above helps your broader understanding of Photoshop possibilities.

[jordans1818718]

Hi Dean,

For your method, is the main difference between yours and the inner glow method the fact that you actually delete the pixels and therefore the fading will work on any background (not just backgrounds that match the color of the inner glow).

I may want to learn how to do your technique too.

Thanks!

[jordans1818718]

So I found a technique that (almost works).  I am able to fade the edges, but when I click "OK" my changes disappear.  I have attached a video to show what is happening.

Here are the instructions I used: Create a Soft Fade Vignette in Adobe Photoshop CC

1. 1. Open a photo in Photoshop.
2. 2. Convert the background to a layer by double-clicking on it in the layers palette. When an image is opened in Photoshop it always opens as a locked background layer. When you double click the layer the New Layer dialog box will open and you can either choose to name the layer or leave the name - Layer 0 - as is. If you don't do this you won't be able to complete the rest of this tutorial.
   
   A common practice is to also convert the layer to a Smart Object. This is a non-destructive technique which preserves the original image.
   
   
3. 3. With the layer selected in the Layers panel, select the Elliptical Marquee tool.and drag a marquee selection around the area of the photo you want to keep.
4. 4. Click the "Add Layer Mask" button at the bottom of the layers palette. The Add Layer Mask icon is the "Box With The Hole" at the bottom of the Layers panel. When you release the mouse, the Layer will sport a chain and a new thumbnail. The new thumbnail is the mask.
5. 5. Double-click the layer mask thumbnail in the layers palette.This will open the Properties panel for the mask.
6. 6. If it isn't open, twirl down the Global Refinements area. What we are going to do is to fade the edges of the mask to create the vignette effect.
7. 7. There are four sliders designed to let you get things just right. Here's what they do:

• Smooth: This slider makes the edge transition less sharp.
• Feather: Moving this in or out will increase or decrease the fade at the edges of the mask.
• Contrast: Moving this slider makes the edge of the selection sharper and more defined.
• Shift Edge: Sliding this in or out increases or decreases the diameter of the selection area set in Step2. When finished, click OK to return to the Layers panel.
  Add a new layer under the photo and fill it with the desired background color.

[shameemk74274403]

There are many users who want to know about how they can fade the edges of an Image/Shape on Adobe Photoshop but don’t know exactly how to do it. No worries because here we will let you know how you can do it but in case you want to go for detailed description then you can visit this site https://appuals.com/how-to-blur-fade-edges-of-an-image-shape-on-adobe-photoshop/.
Pick any image that you want to utilize as your design. In case you pick a flower from the internet and made a bunch out of it to make it look dark.  It is significant that you work on various coatings. This will assist you to edit your work more easily in case you make any mistakes on any of the coatings, so you would always have the original layer saved. You can include a new coating after the background. In case you want to draw an oval around the bouquet of flowers you can utilize the ellipses tool from Adobe Photoshop.

You also have this facility to change the shape according to the bouquet, managed the image and add a color to the shape to make it noticeable. If you feel like including a fading effect on the edges of the oval then you can add a coating mask on this layer. You can do it by choosing the layer of the shape, and tap on the icon fixed by the arrow. You will see that layer mask will display an empty mask in front of the ellipse’s layer. At the end press on the layer mask which is the white layer in the ellipse’s layer. By tapping it you would be able to see a properties box and from here you can improve the shape and make other variations.

[Joepotsmusic]

I am so with you!!! None of the people who responded to you gave the right answers. They all 5-7 steps which were not clear. Why is this so difficult on Photoshop? I still cannot figure it out

[davescm]

Joepotsmusic  wrote

................... None of the people who responded to you gave the right answers.

Hi

There are several methods shown in this thread, all of which work. Which have you tried and what steps are you struggling with?

Dave

[Trevor.Dennis]

davescm  wrote

Joepotsmusic   wrote

................... None of the people who responded to you gave the right answers.

Hi

There are several methods shown in this thread, all of which work. Which have you tried and what steps are you struggling with?

Dave

I have to back Dave on this.  It really isn't difficult, regardless of which of the many methods you chose to use.  If you are struggling with anything, then just ask.  The regular posters to this forum volunteer their time to help folk, because they love Photoshop, and we frequently learn new things ourselves.

[Manual]

I agree. Why is it so hard to feather in Photoshop? I have been selecting the elliptical marquee to select an area of a jpeg image. Then going to the Quick Mask mode and using Gaussian Blur to select my pixel area. Then toggling out of Quick Mask and going to inverse image. Now I am ready to get rid of the unwanted pixels. IMPOSSIBLE. I have hit backspace and CTL-D like the tutorial said but CTL-D is deselect! So I tried backspace and delete. Nope. I tried just delete. Nope. I tried cursing, that didn't work either but it made me feel better. This was much easier in Fireworks but it is a challenge in Photoshop. So - bring back Fireworks!

[jane-e]

Hi @Manual 

Try the methods in this thread from @davescm , @Trevor.Dennis , and @Dean_Utian . If you get stuck, tell us where and show a screen shot.

Sadly, Fireworks will never come back, and as volunteers who do not work for Adobe, we have no influence over that. You can change your keyboard shortcuts in Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts. You didn't say which tutorial you were following, but Ctrl+D has always been Deselect in Photoshop.

If you deselected and then tried to delete the unwanted pixels, then you might have to undo first to get your selection back. Or, better, apply a non-destructive layer mask to your selection. Show a screen shot and we may be able to assist.

~ Jane

[Manual]

Thank you Jane. Here is a link showing you what I am trying to do. Thanks.  https://youtu.be/-onWlg_9nUE

[jane-e]

Hi

First, you are working on a jpeg, and a jpeg cannot have transparency.

1. Shift+Backspace is the shortcut for Edit > Fill. Make sure you are not pressing Shift.
2. When the fill dialog box opens in the tutorial, it defaults to filling with the Background Color, which is white, but then gets cancelled. It makes no sense to continue to the next step of Deselect when this task has not been completed. Try Edit > Cut if Backspace does not work.
3. The "Delete" command is for the Mac. You should be using the Windows shortcuts.
4. Don't save as a jpeg or the space will fill with white. Save as a png for PowerPoint.

~ Jane

[Manual]

Thanks Jane, that's a help and works well. The most important part is dealing with a jpeg file. I finally figured out that I need to open the jpeg and then Quick Export as PNG, then close and reopen the PNG file. Then I can proceed with the steps and it works. So I can indeed work with jpeg files but they must be converted. Most tutorials fail to mention that little detail.

[jane-e]

You're welcome, Manual,

The default format for Fireworks was PNG, which is why it worked automatically for you then. Most Fireworks users switched to Illustrator (vector) instead of Photoshop (raster) when Fireworks was purchased from Macromedia and then dropped by Adobe.

Jane

[Casey5FED]

Hi Dave, I am working on a in memory of project and I have a couple layers. I am trying to use this method, but I can't get it to work. I used your exact settings from your screen shot above and I still have the square box. Do you have any idea what it is I am doing wrong, or how I fix it? I have attached a screen shot. The light blue box with the white clouds is what I am trying to do.