A tutorial guaranteed to test your patience---but worth it. We'll start off our photo holder tutorial with a 325 x 325 image and use the Gradient Overlay settings below. Be sure to turn the background into a layer.

Gradient Overlay: Blend Mode > Normal, Opacity > 25%, Style > Linear, Angle > 98.

Utilize the Rounded Rectangle Tool (make sure "Fill Pixels" option is highlighted on the toolbar) and draw a selection onto the new layer you just created.

Drop Shadow: Blend Mode > Multiply, Opacity > 25%, Angle > 120, Distance > 2, Size > 4.

Inner Glow: Blend Mode > Normal, Opacity > 6, Technique > Softer, Source > Edge, Size > 7.

Gradient Overlay: Blend Mode > Normal, Opacity > 10, Style > Linear.

The holder is starting to take on a more intriguing look and shape, thanks in due part to the gradient overlay settings.

Create a new layer, access the Rectangle Tool and draw a selection. Color hardly matters at this point, for we will fill in the rectangle with a photograph in short order.

Open an rgb image, Select > All and copy and paste it into the layer containing the rectangle selection. You can use the Move Tool (Cntrl + V) to center the image.

To create a subtle glow around the edges of the image, access the Layers Palette and Outer Glow: Blend Mode > Normal, Opacity > 45%, Color > #161616, Size > 3.

The holder to this point is starting to look better with Mount Baker as the backdrop and a slight glow to the image.

Add another layer and utilize the Rounded Rectangle Tool once again to draw a selection for text. And now: sprucing up the selection with some styles.

Inner Shadow: Blend Mode > Multiply, Opacity > 77%, Distance > 2, Size > 3.

Outer Glow: Blend Mode > Normal, Opacity > 30%, Color > #161616, Technique > Softer, Size > 3.

Ready to add text, but first...

For a visually stunning effect (ahem), screws are added to further affix the photo holder. Easy to make, however, that tutorial is for another time.

The final result, with Mount Baker outside Bellingham, Washington as the focal point.