Want a 3D effect in you photo? Here's how

 

The process

To start with open the image that needs to be OOBed.

Step 1: Right click on the background image, select “duplicate” and click on “OK”. Switch off the first layer's visibility by clicking on the Eye icon next to it in the layers palette.

Select the newly created background copy and click on the 'Add layer mask' icon. Once done you should be able to see a white box beside the main image.

Click on 'Create a new layer' at the bottom of the 'Layers' palette. Select the new layer and choose the rectangular marquee tool. Now create a box by keeping the left mouse button pressed and dragging the cursor.

Step 2: Switch to the paint bucket tool and make sure that the foreground color is set to white. Now place the paint bucket tool in the selection area and click. The box should now look like the image shown below.

 

Step 3: Now click on 'Select | Modify | Contract', change the setting to “35” and click on “OK”. Now hit “Delete” on the keyboard. You should be able to see a white bordered frame. Now, click on 'Select | Deselect' (removes the "marching ants" selection indicator).

Step 4: To change the perspective of the frame you will need to adjust it to a certain angle. To do that that click on 'Edit | Transform | Distort'. Click and drag the edge of the frame to give it a definitive perspective. Press [Ctrl] [S] and select 'Apply' to save the file.

Step 5: Click on 'Add Layer Mask' to mask the already selected layer. Select the newly created layer and choose the brush tool. Change the size to 40 and set the foreground color to black. Now paint over the area that needs to be erased. If needed, zoom in by using the mouse wheel while keeping the [Alt] key pressed. Remember: a black foreground will erase and a white foreground will do just the reverse.

Step 6: Add another new layer by clicking on the 'Create new layer' icon and reposition it just above your original image. Click on the paint bucket tool and keep the left mouse button pressed to select the gradient tool. Right click on the gradient editor and select a gradient with colors that will suit your picture. You can also adjust the gradient level by dragging the sliders across. Now, hold down your left mouse button and drag it horizontally across your screen to create the gradient effect.

Step 7: Select the pen tool and make a path along the frame. Keep in mind that to need to make the selection path along the subject if you want to achieve the OOB effect. Use the [Ctrl] and [Alt] keys to make fine adjustments when using the pen tool. Switch to the [Paths] palette and double click the work path to save it. Now press [Ctrl] [Shift] [I] to select the inverse of the path.

Select the bucket tool while making sure that the foreground color is set to black. Click anywhere on the image to highlight only the image selected while removing the rest. Press [Ctrl] [D] to deselect the path once done.

Step 8: Right click on the image and select 'Blending options'. Choose 'Drop Shadow' and change the 'Distance' to 79 and 'Size' to 98. Now adjust to the angle that best suits your need. Click on 'OK' when done.

If you want to crop your image select the rectangular marquee tool again and select the area that needs to be cropped. Go to the 'Image' menu and click on 'Crop'. Save the file by clicking on 'File | Save as...', give a suitable name to the image and change the format to JPEG or any other of your choice. You can now decide on the overall file size and quality of the image by adjusting the image quality slider. Click on 'OK' to save the image. There! Your first OOB photograph is now ready.

 

Now that you've got the hang of it go ahead and see which other picture can be OOBed. Just about any picture can be jazzed up with this effect. All you need is a little bit of imagination and creativity to make it work!