**Program Tutorials** : Photoshop Elements : *Technique

With a layout started, and an image added – you decide you would like to add matting to your photo.

Select first the background paper that you want to use for your matting.

Next drag the paper it into your layout. (after resizing it if needed (ie: 8x8 for 8x8 layouts, etc.)

It may then cover up the image you just had opened.  This is because the layer was placed above the photo when you just added it.  In the layers palette drag it below the photo.

Now click on your image layer.

Click on the magic wand tool.

Click on the empty are of the layer (not on the photo directly).  You will see marching ants AROUND the image.

Now, Select > Inverse

Select > Modify > Expand

Enter in an amount that you find you like for the size of your matting… I have chosen 35.

Select > Inverse

Now ensure you have the layer with your photo matting paper selected.

Hit the delete key;   Viola.

More….

Want to keep them perfectly aligned when you move the around or rotate the image?  Lock the layers!

While holding the Control Key – click on the layers in the layer palette (your photo and the matting) you want to be locked together.   Click on the “lock” icon.

Now when you rotate your image the matting will stay with it.