Fun techniques in Photoshop Elements (4.0)

Here's what I did for this photo and layout. First I used diffuse glow on the photo. When you have the photo you want to use selected click on "Filter" at the top menu, then "Distort" from that drop down menu and then "Diffuse Glow" from that drop down menu. In there it gives you a preview of what the diffuse glow will look like on the photo and you can adjust how much you want to alter the photo. In this case I used a high percentage because that is the effect I wanted.

Then I put the photo on the background of my new layout. I started a new layout by creating a new white background. Once the photo was added to the white background I selected the photo and then selected the eraser tool. I used the brush version of the eraser tool so that it would be uneven and random when I used it around the photo. When I erased the amount I wanted I then put a Drop Shadow on the photo giving the photo the effect you see here in the layout. (Click the layout for a larger view to really see the effects).

I had no idea it would turn out like this but I love it. It so amazing what one can come up with if you just spend a little time playing with all the options in a program like this.

Kits used for this layout:
Magical Swirls by Kitty Designs at OScraps
Your Heart by Vinnie Pearce
Frame It by Ruth Davis at E-Scape and Scrap
Live Laugh Love blog freebie from Createwings Designs also at OScraps
Moments by Fei-Fei's Stuff also at OScraps

Thanks for reading my blog and give those techniques a try!!