Adding an information border to your photo

[coldlegs]

I want to add a border around my astrophotos that contains information about the object as well as the conditions of the exposure. Can anyone point me to an app for Photoshop CS5 or some software that will do it?
Cheers
Stephen

[Colin_Fraser]

Hi Stephen, I think I know what you mean, and it's not too difficult.
Open the image in Photoshop CS5 and duplicate the layer.
Next select Image....Canvas size, and increase the width and height to the size you want. Select the border colour from Select Extension Color in the Canvas Size dialog box. Click Ok when done.
Next select the text tool and type what you desire in the border you just created.
You will notice that several new layers have been created in this process so you need to flatten the image, save and your done.

Hope it helps.

[coldlegs]

Thanks Collin
That's pretty much what I suspected I would have to do.
I was hoping to find some way of having the basic text already there e.g. object, distance,size field of view, exposure lrgb, scope, filters etc and then filling it in. There are various functions and smart objects in photoshop but I felt sure there was some astrophotography software that did all that for you but can't find it yet.
Cheers
Stephen

[Colin_Fraser]

Same as above almost.
Make the canvas about 200 pixels more than the image size then put what text you want, where you want it.
When you are happy with the look of it, hide all the layers except the text layers. Then merge all visible layers.
You can now make the merged layer into a smart object.
When you have made the smart object and are happy with it, you may want to share it ;)
I'm sure others may want something similar :thumbsup:

[Dennis]

Hi Stephen

If you have a small number of standard equipment configurations, standard formats (e.g. 1280x960, 1024x768, 800x600) and orientations (landscape, portrait) then you can record an “Action” and allocate it to a “Function” key (e.g. F2, F3, etc.) and then you simply execute the Action via the Function key and it will “play back” your recorded key strokes and do the work for you.

It may sound a little daunting, but you can just start with a simple Action and Photoshop will “remember” your key strokes and once you have mastered the technique, you can create the more complex Actions.

Cheers

Dennis

[coldlegs]

Thanks guys. Have just done my first photoshop action for a full frame 3894W X 2610H for my QHY10C camera. I'll attach it if I can. You need to load the photo then duplicate it and run the action on the duplicate.
Cheers
Stephen