So did you download free photo frames and borders but are confused how to actually get your images to appear inside them? Perhaps you even downloaded our 50 free photo frames.

If so, this quick Photoshop tutorial will show you how to add a frame to your pictures in Photoshop. It’s actually dead easy.

First, open up one of the borders in Photoshop or Elements and the photo you want to add it to. (All the borders we’ve supplied are in a portrait format – to make them landscape format, use Image > Rotate Canvas.)

How to use free photo frames in Photoshop

Step 1: Copy the image

With the Move tool selected, hold down Shift and click on the photo, then drag the image onto the border. (Holding down Shift as you drag the picture across centres the image in the frame.)

Step 2: Change the blend mode

In the Layers palette, click on the picture layer then change the blending mode in the drop-down box at the top to ‘Darken’, to reveal the dark border. If the border is a white one, use ‘Screen’ blending mode instead.

Step 3: Resize the photo

With the image layer still selected, click on the main image and select Edit > Free Transform. Resize your image to fit by dragging the corners – holding down Shift as you move the corner points to maintain the proportions.

Now try this:

• Rotate the border and try Inverting it (Image > Adjustments > Invert) for a different effect.
• Duplicate the border, rotate that and use it to create a whole new style.
• Duplicate the border, drag that layer above the image in the Layers palette and use Free Transform on that in Step 3, to adjust the size of the border to fit the image.
Liked this? Why not download…

25 free triptych photo frames

10 free photo grids for Photoshop
Follow us on Pinterest!

Digital Camera’s 10-part series ‘Teach Yourself Photoshop’ builds into a complete video reference library. These easy-to-follow video guides will take you on a start-to-finish journey through perfecting your photos in the digital darkroom. In this video you’ll discover how to add a traditional border to your digital photographs by using Layers in Photoshop Elements. You’ll also learn how to fine-tune your shots using a Levels layer, along with adding a layer of text. Click the links to the right and build up the complete collection with each new issue of Digital Camera.

Multi-photo grids are a great way of presenting a collection of themed shots, or for framing one picture in a creative new way. Here we’ve created 10 free photo grids, featuring a range of designs and framing options. Each template comes in A4 size with pre-defined grids ready for use with Photoshop and Elements – just add your own pics.

Download your 10 free photo grids

Below you’ll find large thumbnails of the grids we’ve created, and beneath those we’ve included a handy Photoshop tutorial explaining how to use your new photo grids.

Photoshop Tutorial: how to use your free photo grids

Similar to adding a photo frame to a picture in Photoshop, the process of fitting your shots in a triptych is a breeze. First, open up one of the photo grid PSD files in Photoshop or Elements, along with your selected photos.

Step 1: select a panel

Using the Rectangular Marquee tool, select one of the image panels in the grid. We’ve supplied the grids as PSDs, and you’ll find that Guides are visible, taking the stress out of being precise with the selection.

Step 2: copy and paste

Click on the first image you want to include, then select all (Select > All) and copy (Edit > Copy). Click back onto the grid layer with the selected panel and use Edit > Paste Into.

Step 3: resize the image

Use the anchor points to resize the image and click and hold the left mouse button to move into position. Click the green tick in the top bar to confirm. Repeat this for the other images. (You’ll find the dimensions for each image panel listed on the grid, so you resize or crop images before copying them into the grid.)

Tips and suggestions

• You don’t have to use individual shots for each separate panel – you can use one shot to cover the entire grid, or part of the grid. To do this, click on the Grid Layer in the layers palette, then select one of the panels as in step 1. Now hold down Shift and continue to select other panels. Once you’ve finished, use Edit > Fill (or Fill Selection in Elements) and choose Black as the fill colour. Then, similar to placing a photo in one of our 50 free borders, drag your photo onto the grid and select Screen as the layer blending mode. Resize your image as appropriate.
• For a more creative finish to a single picture, copy it across into the individual panes instead, and try zooming in on some elements, or rearranging the various parts of the scene.
• To enhance the presentation, try Grouping the Image and Grid layers and positioning them higher in the frame, so that more of white Background layer is visible at the bottom than the top.
• Use Image > Rotate Canvas to try a horizontal version.

Like these? Then why not download…

50 free photo frames and borders for Photoshop

25 free triptych photo frames for Photoshop

See Amazing Pictures

21 Great Examples of HDR Photography

In Pictures: 31 Great Examples of Still Life Photography

In Pictures: 30 Great Examples of Motion Blur Photography

In Pictures: 31 Great Examples of Birds In Flight

In Pictures: 25 Great Examples of Painting With Light Photos

In Pictures: Baby Photography by Rachel Hulin
Follow us on Pinterest!

Download these 25 free triptych photo frames and give a creative finish to your photos in Photoshop and Elements.

Three is the magic number, especially when it comes to photography. Using just three elements in a picture can help you create a balanced frame. Triptychs take this idea further, giving you the space to tell a story across three panels or simply showcase one photo in a very different way.

Here we’ve created 25 free triptych photo frames, featuring a range of edge treatments and designs. Download them and try them out in Photoshop Elements – they’re JPEGs so they will work in other imaging software too.

To view one of these photo frames at a larger size, click on the frame and it will open up in a new browser window. To save a frame, right-click a thumbnail below (or the full-size version) and use the ‘Save Link As…’ option to copy the original to your hard drive.

Alternatively, you can download all 25 free triptych photo frames

And don’t forget, when you’ve made your final image, be sure to share it with everyone by posting it on our Facebook wall!

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Page 1: 25 free triptych photo frames for Photoshop

Page 2: Photoshop Tutorial: how to use your free triptych photo frames

Like these? Why not download…

50 free photo frames and borders for Photoshop

10 free photo grids for Photoshop

Next Page: Photoshop Tutorial: how to use your free templates