INTRODUCTION
It is possible to create a feathered edge around any selected shape or object.

COPY THE IMAGE ONTO THE DESKTOP
From your browser, view this lesson and click 265a.jpg to bring up the first image.  While viewing the image, click the Restore icon (upper right of browser) and resize and move the browser so that you can view the image and a blank area of the Desktop.  Click the image and drag it onto a blank spot on the Desktop > click Yes. Repeat for 265b.jpg.

OPEN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS AND PASTE THE IMAGE
Click (or double click) the Photoshop Elements icon on the Desktop.  If the Welcome screen is visible, close it.  Restore Photoshop Elements if necessary to provide a view of the Desktop.  Click 265a.jpg (on the Desktop) and drag onto the Photoshop Elements work area.  Click Ctrl + 0 (the zero key) to maximize the image.  Maximize Photoshop Elements.

SELECT THE AREA AROUND THE UPPER PART OF THE FLOWER
Select the Magic Wand selection tool from the Tools Bar > set Opacity to 50 > click anywhere in the upper dark area (everything except the flower is selected) > click Select (in the Menu bar) + Inverse (the upper part of the flower is selected).

CREATE A BORDER (DOUBLE SELECTION LINES)
Click Select + Modify + Border (on the Menu bar) > set Size: 20 + OK (creates a 20 pixel border around the selected area).

SET BACKGROUND COLOR AND CREATE A FEATHERED EDGE
Select the Eyedropper Tool and click the background > click Switch Foreground with Background.   Click Select + Feather (on the Menu bar) > set Size: 10 + OK > (creates a feathered edge that you can’t see).

MAKE FEATHERED EDGE VISIBLE
Select the Move tool (on the Tools bar) > press the Delete key > press Ctrl + D (to remove the border selection lines).

CONCLUSIONS
You can use this procedure on most any picture.  However, the method of selecting the picture might be different.  The important thing is to make the feathered edge just half the size of the border.  For more practice, repeat above for 265b.jpg.

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