What software do I need for this?

Looking to get these black bars like a movie scene.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/from-a2b/4421372003/

What software can I do this with. Preferably for free ;)

TIA

Edited by LyleG - 11 March 2010 at 04:27

Hi Lyle

I did a very similar thing in CS3 for one my pics that you can see here (you'll have to scroll down to my second post in the thread).

With an open image in CS3, once you have decided on the aspect ratio, go to Image>Canvas Size, and this will open a dialogue box. This will display your image's Current Size, and you can change the measurement unit by selecting your preference in the the New Size area in the same dialogue box (I find it easier to work in pixels). Now enter a figure in Height to determine how thick you want the black border. This figure may be arbitrary or, if you're like me, a specific ratio which may require you to manually calculate numbers! Anyway, have a go and see how you get on.

The next step is to keep the Relative button ticked and to choose the 'Canvas extension color'. You will see that you will be able to choose any colour you like, including black of course! Then click on 'OK' and you should be done.

Feel free to ask for clarification and I would be glad to pass on what I know.

All the best

You can do it in the free openoffice, Skitch, Gimp, whatever
And you can use non-free Pages, Keynote, Powerpoint, Aperture or whatever you already have

Edited by jkp1 - 13 March 2010 at 14:53