How to Make a Photo Look Like a Slide

Open a new file in Photoshop or a similar graphics program. Size the new document at about 540x300 pixels.

Select "Filter" and "Gradient" to fill the background. Use colorŬ9bd for the foreground and #0c125e for the background. Choose "Radial" gradient and click "OK."

Download the slide template from the link in the References section. (If you do not want to download the template, you can complete these brief steps, but be warned: the results will not be as realistic. Select the Custom Shape tool and choose the Rounded Rectangle tool. Draw a rectangle. Use the Rectangle Marquee tool to cut a rectangle hole in the center of the rounded rectangle.)

Select "File" and "Place." Import the downloaded slide template into your document. Click on the corners and drag them until the slide is the size you want it to be. A real slide measures about 1.3-by-.9 inches on the inside edges. Press "Enter" when you have the slide sized appropriately.

Right-click on the layer that your slide is located on and select "Blending Options." The Layer Style dialogue box will appear.

Set the style to "Color Overlay." The blend mode should be "Normal," the color should be #CACACA and the opacity should be 100%.

Click on "Bevel and Emboss" on the left side of the Layer Style dialogue box. Select the "Inner Bevel" style and "Chisel Hand" technique from the available options.

Check the "Drop Shadow" box at the left side of the Layer Style dialogue box. Choose "Multiply" as the blend mode with the color black, and set it at 75% opacity. Click "OK."

Click on the blue background layer in the Layers palette. Open a photograph to place inside the slide template. Click on the Move tool on the left toolbar, then click on the new photograph and drag it into the blue background.

Press the "Ctrl" and "T" keys to activate the transform controls on the photograph. Hold the "Shift" key while resizing the photograph using the arrows at the corners. This will keep the photograph properly proportioned. Press "Enter" when you are done resizing the photograph.

Select the slide template layer in the Layers palette. Choose the Text tool from the left toolbar and add some text of your choice to the bottom area of the slide to complete the vintage slide look.