KevinBridges Loc: Old Orchard Beach, Maine

What program is used for this? Is it a free one? Thanks,Kevin

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

HI. I use Picassa 3 and PhotoScape, both are free and easy to use. Photoscape especially, has a good range of frames to pick from. Lots of fun experimenting with frames, colours, effects. Good luck.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

What kind of frame are you thinking of? A fance frame like you would on a picture you'd hand on your livingroom wall?
Or just a coloured outline all around the picture?

Either way, what program are YOU using? For most programs the method would be fairly similar, there are also programs that have frames "built in" the program.

It also is fairly easy to make your own frames with perfectly mitred corners, among other programs in Photoshop Elements. In fact, I will try and get a tutorial about that on the Post-Processing section this afternoon.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

there are two options you can use within photoshop that won't require you to buy any specialized software.

1) Using Canvas Size under the Image Menu, add some blank canvas around the image. You can add white to simulate a mat, and then add more in a color to simulate a frame.

To make the frame look like a frame, flatten or stamp the image (Option+Command+Shift+E on a Mac). Then select the frame section with the Magic Wand tool. Use Command = J to put the frame on its own layer. Then under Image Menu you can apply Layer Style. Select Bevel and Emboss and adjust to get a frame with some 3D dimension and shading. Experiment a bit; maybe try adding a texture or pattern overlay as well. I did this with a simulated double mat and frame and recorded the steps as an action as I went along. Now, I just run that action in the Actions palette when I want to see how an image might look once matted and framed.

2) there are also a number of free Photoshop Actions for adding simulated frames available online which can be downloaded and installed in your PS Actions folder. Many are quite nice and more detailed and elaborate than you can do on your own easily, and since they are actions, you can apply them easily with a single click in the Actions Palette.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Picasa has two choices, one of which is "museum matte" (see below). Choice of colors for both outer and inner mat, as well as size. Very easy to use this program!

Free download at http://picasa.google.com

sidney Loc: London.Eng.

I find Picasa has all the tools to make frames.any color and
any thickness..as linda said "MUSEUM Matte" is fine and fun.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Thanks all. I've been wondering this myself--all I have right now is iPhoto.

Wizdasher Loc: Grants Pass, Or

Another nice, free stand alone application I use is "FastStone Photo Resizer."

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Jim, just yesterday I added a tutorial to the Post-Processing section for a frame with mitred corners, that could be done in any program that allows layers.
Might be handy I think for those who don't own PS and can't write actions.
Although I haven't tried it, I believe that except for writing the action, the method you gave will work in PSE as well.