How to Add Glitter to a Photo on the Computer

Open a new document in a graphics program and size it at 406x258 pixels.

Set the background color to white. The foreground color should match something in your photo.

Select "Filter," "Render," and "Clouds."

Create a new layer by selecting "Layer" and "New." Click on the new layer.

Change your foreground color to the same color family that you chose for your background color in Step 2. It should be in the same color family, but a different shade of the color.

Select the brush tool and adjust the "Master Diameter" to five.

Click "Window" and "Brushes" to open the brushes dialogue box.

Select "Shape Dynamics" and change the "Control" to "Pen Pressure."

Check "Scattering" and set the "Count" to one.

Click "Texture." Check the "Invert" box, and change the "Mode" to "Color Burn."

Choose "Other Dynamics" and adjust the "Control" to "Pen Pressure." Close the brushes dialogue box.

Swipe the brush over your empty layer six or seven times.

Change the foreground color to another shade of your glitter color family and swipe across the layer with the brush again six or seven times. You want to have several shades of the same color for your glitter to make it more realistic. For example, if you chose pink for your foreground color, you would choose another shade of pink.

Repeat the color change and brush movement with five shades of your color family. Remember to choose several different shades of the same color for your glitter.

Change the foreground color to white and swipe the brush tool across the layer six or seven times and then repeat the process with a golden yellow color.

Select "Layer," "Layer Style," and "Blending Options." Click "Outer Glow." Change the "Blend Mode" to "Screen" and the "Opacity" to "38%." Click 'Ok."

In the layers palette, click the glitter layer and change the "Mode" to "Lighten."

Open your photo in a new layer. Use the magnetic lasso tool on the left hand tool bar to cut out your image.

Create a new layer by selecting "Layer" and "New."

Click on your cutout image and press "Control" and "N" to outline the shape.

Click on your new layer from Step 19 and click "Select," "Modify," and "Expand." Enter "5" for the "Diameter" and click "Ok."

Use the bucket tool to fill the shape in with black.

Select "Filter," "Blur," and "Gaussian Blur." Set the "Radius" to "46.7" and click "Ok."

Click "Layers" and "Merge" to flatten your glittery photo.