INTRODUCTION
In this lesson we’ll use the Rectangular Marquee Tool and Stroke to create an inside picture frame.  Then the frame will be distorted into a wave shape.

DOWNLOAD AN EXAMPLE PICTURE
Open your browser and navigate to this lesson.  Click HERE to view picture 270b >  restore your browser and move to reveal part of the Desktop > drag the picture onto the Desktop > click Yes.  Open Photoshop Elements > close the Welcome screen > maximize Photoshop Elements > hold the Ctrl key and click the O key (Open) > navigate to the Desktop > select 270b.jpg + Open.  Close all palettes except Layers (open if necessary).

MAKE A RECTANGULAR FRAME
Click Create a new layer (bottom of Layers Palette) > with the new layer active, hold the Ctrl key and tap the #0 key (enlarges the picture) > select the Rectangular Marquee Tool > click and drag from near the upper left corner to the lower right corner of the picture (makes a large rectangle around the picture) > use Arrow keys to tweak position > click Edit + Stroke > make Width = 8 > click the Color patch and use the eyedropper to pick up some of the orange sunset color > set Location to Inside > click OK > hold the Ctrl key and tap the D key (deselect the marquee rectangle).

DISTORT THE FRAME
Click Filter + Distort + Wave > set Number of Generations: 1, Wavelength: Min. 10 – Max. 120, Amplitude: Min. 5 – Max. 10, Scale: Horiz. 100% - Vert. 100%, Type: Sine > click OK (the frame takes on a sine wave shape).

TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Click Filter and try some of the many filters, use the Step Backward button if you don’t like the results and try another filter.  Try the Artistic + Sponge, set a background color and try several of the Brush Strokes filters, some of the other Distort filters give interesting results, the Stylize + Tiles filter is good if you use the right background color and sizes. Actually quite a large number of filters will yield usable results.

CONCLUSIONS
Some pictures can be improved by this procedure.  Try making the frame with different colors picked up from within the picture.

GOOD WEB SITES:
LEISURE VILLAGE1: http://leisurevillage.us
LEISURE VILLAGE2: http://leisurevillage.org
BILL’S HOME PAGE: http://bzus.com
LV COMPUTER CLUB: go to Leisure Village1 and select Our Computer Club
LV CAMERA CLUB: go to Leisure Village1 and select Our Camera Club