How to leave grey space around the image when opening in photoshop?

[NickEurostyle]

Hi guys i do a lot of real estate photogrpahy and edit a bunch of pictures a day.

Im wondering how can i leave some grey space around the image when i open it so cropping can be done quicker.

instead of dragging the workspace to overlap the image. im using Photoshop 21.0.2

Thank you.

[David Higginbotham]

I know this is an old post but I am searching for the exact same thing.  I'm using Photoshop 2021.  It would save me a tremendous amount of time on some scanning projects I'm working on as I have to grab the corner and change the size each time to create some space to make cropping easier.  Hopefully this comment will bump the question.  

[Michael Bullo]

Could you please post a screen shot of a typical example. Are your files opening within tabs by default or in stand-alone windows?

[David Higginbotham]

Sure thing....thanks for taking the time to reply Michael.  The bottom image is how a file would typically open and the one on the top is how I'd like for it to open.  Does that add any clarity to my request?  I do have my preferences set to not open images in tabs.  

  

[Gravy_Master]

What about resizing the canvas outward and filling with gray?

[David Higginbotham]

It's not that I need the actual image file to have the gray area....I need the workspace to start with this gray area without me having to grab the bottom right corner and create it myself.  

[Norman Sanders]

First, I recommend Window > Application Frame to get rid of surounding distractions.

Next, consider the F key to provide a maximum surround, if that is your preferred style.

Last,  also consider View > Rulers so that you may drag out reference lines to confirm verticals and horizontals in you real estate images and adjust them with Transform