Quick way to make fuzzy edges ?

[tubs]

Can anybody help me please ? I'm sure there should be an easy way to action this:

I often need to make a soft edge to my images for the web. To do this I increase the canvas size using the appropriate web background colour, then I use the eraser with a large soft brush to run around the edge of the image. The problem is that I can't always keep the eraser straight, so each one looks slightly different. It's also a slow process.

Does anybody know of a technique that can be actioned and batched to do this quickly and consistently ?

[JMA]

Which software do you use? If it is Photoshop, try the "shift" key to keep the lines stright.

[DavidEB]

Or try this (I use elements 3 but should be similar in any version of photoshop): use the rectangular select tool, mark off the area you want. From the menu, select --> feather, set feather option to about 30. Invert selection, then delete (so you erase what's outside your selection). Select the layer, and crop. Bingo. Here's an example from a screen-grab...







Good luck and have fun,

[tubs]

Sorry, I should have said that I'm using Photoshop CS. I'll should try shift to keep the lines straight.

I previously thought that selecting a rectangle didn't work well, although I now see that its because my rectangle was too close to the edge, so the feather gets kind of truncated and looks crappy. It still doesn't look right if I extend the canvas, so I guess the only thing I can do is make the rectangle selection smaller, so that I lose more of the image at the edges. It appears that you must lose the entire width of the feather, all the way around, which can be quite a lot.

Ok, now I just have to figure out how to action that technique. Sounds tricky but possible. If anybody has done that then I'd appreciate the input.

Cheers.

[symes]

Sorry, I should have said that I'm using Photoshop CS. I'll should try shift to keep the lines straight.

I previously thought that selecting a rectangle didn't work well, although I now see that its because my rectangle was too close to the edge, so the feather gets kind of truncated and looks crappy. It still doesn't look right if I extend the canvas, so I guess the only thing I can do is make the rectangle selection smaller, so that I lose more of the image at the edges. It appears that you must lose the entire width of the feather, all the way around, which can be quite a lot.

Ok, now I just have to figure out how to action that technique. Sounds tricky but possible. If anybody has done that then I'd appreciate the input.

Cheers.



Here is a different way...works well for framing as well...depending on the blur...

1. Duplicate your layer
2. Delete the background layer and make sure it is white
3. Use the rectangle marquee tool and select the area you want
4. hit layer Mask
5. then Filter Gaussian blur and choose your blur...

Cheers,

Matt

[soupdragon]

Use the kit lens to take your pictures then you won't need to post process to get fuzzy images.

[PhotosGuy]

Use the kit lens to take your pictures then you won't need to post process to get fuzzy images. :D:D:D Oh, that is just SO wrong! :D

[BrandonSi]

Similar to DavidEB's idea I think.

http://www.good-tutorials.com/track/8323

[Chazs]

Similar to David's idea.

1) Select Rectangular marquee
2) Set feather to 10 in the toolbar
3) draw out rectangle
4) choose layer->new->via copy

Then click off the original layer, or insert a solid color background behind the feathered layer. Can't get much easier.

[PeaPicker]

Use the kit lens to take your pictures then you won't need to post process to get fuzzy images.

Kit lens does pretty good.:D

[PhotosGuy]

Kit lens does pretty good. I think so, too, & I use it a lot for cars when I want/need the 18mm focal length. It's just that, in comparison to something like the 28-70 f/2.8 "L", it's truly a piece of sh*t! :D:D:D