Photoshop Fade Edges to Transparent

It seems like the internet was made for sharing images. There’s a reason why they say a picture is worth 1,000 words, and images are something people enjoy looking at and can convey many different messages. Photos also allow you to show off your creative, artistic side.

Being able to manipulate your photos and edit them so that they look like the image you envisioned in your mind is easy with the various editing software that is available. If you’re looking for a way to center the focus on your photo on a particular subject, you might consider fading or blending the edges.

To achieve your fading/blending goals, use Photoshop fade edges to transparent. When wondering how to fade the edges of an image in Photoshop, we’ve put together the steps to walk you through the process.

How to Fade the Edges of an Image in Photoshop

Fading the edges of an image not only draws the viewer’s attention to the center of your photo, but it can also get rid of objects or people that you don’t want in your picture. No matter what you’re trying to accomplish, here are the steps you need to use Photoshop fade edges to transparent:

Step 1: Open Photoshop

The first thing you’ll need to do when learning how to fade the edges of an image in Photoshop is to open the software.

Step 2: Upload the Photo

The next step when using Photoshop fade edges to transparent is to upload the photo you want to make edits to.

The easiest way to do this is to drag the photo from your computer onto the Photoshop interface.

Step 3: Drag the Image to One Side

Once your photo has been uploaded, to fade image into background Photoshop, you’ll need to Close Free Transform.

When you click on the photo and move it to one side, this will turn it into a layer.

Step 4: Add Solid Color Layer

Once you have moved the image to one side and made it a layer, you’ll need to add a new layer by going to the Layer option, clicking “New,” then clicking “Layer.”

You’ll want to fill this new layer with a solid color. Typically, black works well for this, but if you want to pick another color, you have that option.

To fill the layer, click on the “Fill” icon and then pick whatever color you want to use.

Step 5: Choose a Background Color

Click on your photo layer, and then choose to add a background color. From the color picker, you can find a color you like. When you click on it, it will overtake your entire image.

Step 6: Use the Marquee Tool

To access this tool, you’ll need to go to the Tools tab, then click on the Marquee Menu.

The list of options that will appear include:

Elliptical Marquee Tool
Rectangular Marquee Tool

The elliptical tool will allow you to create round borders, while the rectangular tool creates boxy borders. You choose which option works best for your project.

Step 7: Fill in the Border

You’ll need to go to the Edit tab, then click on “Fill” and choose “Black.”

Step 8: Move the Layer Beneath Your Photo

Using the thumbnail in the layers panel, you’ll need to move the new layer below your photo.

Step 9: Create a Clipping Mask in Your Photo Layer

Once the new layer is in place, you’ll then need to select the photo layer (not the new one you just created) and go to the Layer tab.

From there, you’ll want to choose “Create Clipping Mask.”

Step 10: Fade the Edge of Your New Layer

Click on the new layer you made, the one with color, and then click on the Filter tab. From the list of options, click “Blur,” then choose “Gaussian Blur.”

This is how to use Photoshop fade edges to transparent to remove the edges of your photo and focus on something in particular.

How to Blend Edges in Photoshop

In addition to wondering how to Photoshop fade edges to transparent, you might be wondering how to blend edges in Photoshop. This will give your photo a softer look that will still draw attention to a specific object within the image.

The steps you’ll need to undertake when learning how to blend edges in Photoshop include the following:

Step 1: Open Photoshop

If this program isn’t already open on your device, that is the first thing you’ll need to do when you use Photoshop fade edges to transparent.

Step 2: Upload Your Image

Once Photoshop has been opened, you’ll then need to upload your image.

Step 3: Define the Edges for Fading

Click on the Tools tab, then go to the “Marquee Menu.” From the list of options. Click on “Elliptical Marquee Tool” or “Rectangular Marquee Tool,” depending on if you want round borders or square borders.

With the tool, you’ll need to draw around the part of your photo that you don’t want to blend or soften. Anything outside of the line you make will get become blurry or faded as you go through the rest of the steps.

To make the edges soft, or to blend them, you’ll need to click on the Select option. You’ll then need to “Modify” and choose “Feather.”

Step 4: Set Feather Radius

Clicking on “Feather” will give you the option of setting the “Feather Radius.”

A dialogue box will appear, and you’ll be able to type in a number to define the radius. What the radius refers to is how quickly your image starts to blend or fade. The smaller the number (i.e., the smaller the radius), the more defined the boundary will be.

You can play around with this to find the blending/softening that you think looks best on your image. Once you’re satisfied with the blend/fade, click “OK.”

Step 4a: Select Quick Mask Mode

If you’re wondering where you applied your “Feather Radius,” you can click on the Quick Mask Mode found on the left-hand side of the screen. The icon is a solid square with a dotted circle in the middle.

Clicking on this will apply a red layer to your image, and this indicates where your fading/blending will occur.

If you are happy with how it looks, you can click on the icon again to go back to regular viewing and move on with the steps below.

Should you find that you want to change the radius, go back to the step above and make further adjustments.

Step 5: Adjust Settings If Necessary

When learning how to blend the edges and make them softer, after setting the “Feather Radius,” you may need to adjust the settings to ensure your image looks the way you envisioned it.

To change these, you’ll need to go to the Tools Panel, then click on “Edit Standard Mode.”

From there, you can play around with the settings to ensure your blending looks just right on your final product.

Step 6: Inverse the Selection

Once your image and the edges look the way you want them to, you’ll then need to go to Select and choose “Inverse.”

You’ll know when you are successful in this endeavor because the dotted line that was around the smaller area in your photo will move to the outer edges of the image.

Step 7: Add a New Background

To blend/soften the edges of your image, you’ll need to add a new background. Click on the Layer option, then choose “New” and then pick “Layer.”

Step 8: Select the Color of the Background

When you choose the color of that background, this will become the color of your edges, which is how you fade image into background Photoshop.

To select the color, you’ll want to go to Adjustments and click on “Solid Color.”

You can choose whichever color you prefer to add to your photo. Once you’ve found a hue you like, click on it, then click “OK.”

The edges of your photo should now have a soft, blended appearance that makes the center of your image pop.

How to Fade Image to Transparent Online

In addition to using Photoshop fade edges to transparent, you might also be wondering how to fade image to transparent online.

There are numerous sites you can use to help you accomplish this task, and the results may be just as good as what you get when using Photoshop fade to transparent. Some of the online image fading options you might consider include the following:

Pixelied

Pixelied can help you fade your images in only four steps. All you need to do is venture over to the website and upload your image, then follow the prompts as they walk you through the process. When you’re satisfied with the final product, you can download it to your computer and share it with others as you see fit.

Tuxpi

Not only does this site allow you to fade your images, but you can also make other edits as well. It’s simple and easy to use and to begin, you’ll need to upload your photo to the site and follow the instructions to achieve your photo fading/blending goals.

LunaPic

LunaPic is another online tool that you can use to blend or fade the edges of your photos. This site is user-friendly and easy to use. After uploading your photo, the edges are automatically blended.

Some of the formatting options that are available on the site include changing the dimensions, the number of frames, the file size, the file type and the quality of the jpeg. You can also crop, scale, rotate and use background removal tools to further refine your image.

When it comes to editing options, this site may not have as many options as some of the others, but if you aren’t very photo-editing savvy or don’t want to make a lot of changes, it could be the best site for you.

Creating Focused Images

Photos and other images can convey messages to an audience when words fall short. If you’re looking to tell a story through a photo, then being able to edit it and make it look like you envision it in your mind is essential, and that might include using Photoshop fade edges to transparent.

There are many different reasons why you might want to fade or blend the edges of your photo, but the final result will be to draw attention a specific part of the image. Blending the edges can give your photo a softer look, which adds to the beauty of your subject.

If you’re wondering how to fade image in Photoshop, you’ll need to follow these steps: