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How to Frame a Photo Cropped Near the Edge

When you crop a photo near the edge, you risk covering portions of the image when you frame the photograph. To frame a closely-cropped image, you must add a white space border around the edges of the photograph. When you frame the image, the photo matting or frame will cover portions of the white border instead of covering the photograph. To add a border to a closely-cropped photo, scan it using a flatbed scanner. Use a simple photo-editing program to add the border, print it and frame the photo.

Things You'll Need

Flatbed scanner
Computer
Photo-editing software
Photo paper
Printer
Paper cutter or razor knife and straight edge
Photo matting (optional)
Frame

Instructions

- 1
  Place the photo face-down on a flatbed scanner and scan the image into your computer.
- 2
  Open the image in a photo-editing software program such as Gimp or Photoshop.
- 3
  Enlarge the image canvas to create a white border around the photo. In Gimp, select "Canvas Size" under the "Image" menu. Set the measurement to "inches" using the drop-down menu and input dimensions that are 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller than the original dimensions. Select "Resize" when you're done. This will create a 1-inch border around the image.
- 4
  Center the image on the page. Use the rectangular ellipse tool to select the photo. Click the "Edit" menu and choose "Cut." Select "Edit" and choose "Paste" to paste it onto the canvas. Use the hand tool to position it on the center of the canvas.
- 5
  Load photo paper into your printer and select the "File" menu and click "Print."
- 6
  Cut the image from the photo paper with a razor knife and straight edge or a paper cutter. Leave a 1-inch border around all sides of the image.
- 7
  Mount the photo onto a photo matting board and frame it or place the image directly into the picture frame. Open the back of the frame by sliding the clips off the cardboard backing.

Photography