Digital BW, The Print

>Subject: Edge Burn question
>
>I usually create an edge burn in Photoshop for my black and white images,
>much as I
>did in the darkroom, so that the edges fall off about 5% to hold the
>viewers eye on the
>image.  The way I have done that in the past was:
>1-Create new layer
>2-Fill the layer with black
>3-Add layer mask
>4-Make selection for edge using rectangular marquee or lasso (select
>center then
>select inverse to get the edge).
>5-Backslash so I can see the overlay for the mask.
>6-Use black as foreground color and paint in the edge completely with
>paintbrush.
>7-Deselect
>8-Change layer style to "Multiply."
>9-Apply guassian blur to mask. Because I am working with large files, I've
>applied
>250 blur, three progressive times.
>10-Work with opacity of layer to adjust density of edge burn.
>
>This worked in the past just fine, but on a recent project, I've noticed
>straight lines
>that look like boxes (in synch with the frame edge) within the mask. and
>can't figure
>out what is happening.
>
>Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Here's a simpler procedure I use for burning (or indeed dodging) edges:

1. Create a new Curves adjustment layer and name it ("top burn," "R burn,"
etc.).
2. Hit OK to leave the layer on the menu without making any changes.
3. Define the background and foreground colors for the layer as pure black
and pure white.
4. Use the Gradient tool to define your burn/dodge area on the layer mask,
moving in from an edge or corner.
5. Open the layer, and play with the curve to define your burn. I usually
find that simply pulling the curve down a bit creates the desired effect,
but you may need to depress the white point as well (at the risk of
muddying the results).

All your burn/dodge layers stay in the file when you close it, so you can
always go back and change the curve, or indeed the shape and extent of the
gradient (by making the layer active and pulling another gradient on the
layer mask).

All this is much easier done than said; with a little practice it will
become as natural as wiggling a piece of cardboard under the enlarger
lens...

-- Nick

NICHOLAS HARTMANN
Technical and scientific translator
(414) 271-4890
nh@...
http://www.nhartmann.com