How Do I Create a Black Blur Around Edge of a Photo Using GIMP?

Blurred black borders lead the viewer to focus on the center of the image.

A blurred edge around an image is often referred to as a vignette effect. Originally, the effect appeared in older cameras with poor lenses and resulted in black blurred edges that were unintentional. Modern designers and photographers now use the effect to create a classic look or to help the viewer focus on the center of the image. The GIMP editor includes a number of filters designed to create borders around your images, and one of them makes it simple to create a vignette effect.

Things You'll Need

• Image file

Instructions

1. Open GIMP by clicking its icon on the desktop or in the "Programs" section of the Start menu.

2. Click "File" and "Open," then navigate to your saved image. Click to highlight it and click "Open" to open the image in GIMP for editing.

3. Click "Image" in the top toolbar and choose "Mode" and "RGB" if it is not already selected.

4. Click "Filters" in the top toolbar and choose "Decor" and "Fuzzy Border." This opens the Fuzzy Border effect window.

5. Click the box next to "Color" and choose black as the border color.

6. Check the boxes next to "Blur border" and "Work on copy." Adjust the border size and granularity options until you are satisfied with the border, then click "OK" to apply the changes.

7. Save your image by clicking "File" then "Save as" and choose a new name for the image, to avoid overwriting the original. Click "Save" to save the file.

References

• Scriptol: Blur Edge Images With GIMP
• PSDFan; A Guide to the Vignette Effect; May 2010