INTRODUCTION - Here we convert a color picture to B&W and pretty it up with Levels, add a blurred layer, blending mode and add 2 finishing borders.

OPEN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS AND LOAD A PICTURE - Open Photoshop Elements in the Edit mode.  Hold the Ctrl key and tap the letter O key (Open) > navigate to a pictures folder and click a scenic picture > click Open > maximize the view with Ctrl + 0 (the number).

CREATE A LAYER COPY - Select the Background layer > hold the Ctrl key and tap the J key (creates a duplicate layer).  (You now have 2 layers)

CONVERT TO B&W - Select Enhance + Convert to Blank and White > Select a Style > click OK.

ENHANCE THE B&W - Hold the Ctrl key and tap the L key (Levels) > move the black and white sliders to lighten the light areas and darken the dark areas > click OK.

CREATE A LAYER COPY - Select the top layer > hold the Ctrl key and tap the J key (creates a duplicate layer). (You now have 3 layers)

BLUR THE TOP LAYER - Select Filter + Blur + Gaussian Blur > set Radius=10 > click OK > set the Blending mode to Soft Light (?located near top of Layers Palette).

TEST THE RESULTS - Hold the Alt key and toggle the visibility eye of  the bottom layer (all other eyes close and you are viewing the bottom layer) > repeat for all layers.

MERGE DOWN AND ADD BORDERS – Right Click the top layer + Merge Down (combines the top 2 layers) > click Image + Resize + Canvas Size > check Relative > set Width and Height = .2 inches, Canvas extension color: Black > click OK.  Repeat canvas resize with Width and Height = 2 inches, Canvas extension color: White. (You now have 2 layers)

CONCLUSION - This is another way to treat Black & White.  The  borders draw attention to the picture within and make a good picture ready to sell.  Border width may be different, depending on the size of the picture.  The color layer is preserved here merely to allow for preview of before and after…

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