How To Merge Two Photos In Photoshop Cs5

In some circumstances, the most effective way to get a great shot is to brand more than than one. It may seem counterintuitive, simply working in chunks allows artists to focus on one expanse of a photograph between exposures. And, luckily for united states of america, compositing a serial of images is easier than always. Today, we're going to go over the steps of how to merge two photos in Photoshop.

In this detailed walkthrough, you'll find simple instructions with clear screenshots to help yous achieve the perfect terminal product. You'll as well meet some transformative firsthand results. The process is easy enough, and the end composites speak for themselves.

Why Merge Images?

And so, what adept comes from merging images? There are two master reasons photographers choose to combine two or more images into 1:

Exposure/Focus Bracketing

Sometimes, it's just not possible to capture all the detail yous'd like to include in a single exposure. At this point, it becomes necessary to know how to merge photos in Photoshop.

For example, a landscape photographer without access to external lighting may not have the range to capture every tone in a scene. So, they may opt to brand one exposure dedicated specifically to the bright and vibrant heaven. Afterwards, they might make a separate exposure for the comparatively dark foreground details.

Likewise, photographers with a limited lens may want to focus one shot on interesting foreground details, then capture a second shot focused farther away.

The truth is, with the ability to pick and choose paradigm elements at your disposal, you lot can significantly amp upwards your shots.

Double Exposure Photography

At PhotoWorkout, nosotros ofttimes focus on the technical aspects of practicing photography. All the same, you lot don't have to limit merging photographs to purely exposure and focus bracketing. It'southward too a great fashion to create your ain double exposure photography.

Back when moving-picture show was the standard, photographers made double exposures by shooting two exposures on a unmarried frame in-photographic camera. With advances in digital post-processing, photographers nowadays have more than control over their work. Using Photoshop, y'all can now combine any two photographs into one.

Double exposure photography lends a dreamy look to your images, creating composites that bend and defy reality. Artists oft employ the technique to convey visual metaphors or set a certain mood.

How to Merge Images in Photoshop

Time needed:five minutes.

Six simple steps explaining how to merge images in Photoshop

Open your images in Photoshop
Open up up the base paradigm that you'd like to utilise in Photoshop. More often than not, you can do so past right-clicking on the file in Finder, Lightroom, etc., and selecting 'Photoshop' under the 'Open With' option. Then, drag the prototype that you'd similar to overlay into the same Photoshop tab.
Marshal your layers (optional)
If you're working with two bracketed/nearly identical images, you'll want to go the details in each image lined up as closely equally possible. Get-go, select the layers that you desire to align. Then, open the 'Edit' option in Photoshop, and so choose 'Machine-Align Layers'. A dialog box will popular up, here you'll select the 'Motorcar' projection option. Press OK, and then Photoshop will automate the residue.
Mask out unwanted details on the top layer
On the summit layer of the composition, add a layer mask. Apply Photoshop's brush tool to block out any unwanted details. Alternatively, y'all can fill the layer mask, so erase the areas in where you'd like detail to shine through. Utilize a soft brush around the edges to create more natural-looking transitions between separate layers.
Adjust the opacity (optional)
To further go the tones and details in your composition just right, play around with the opacity of your top layer. This is especially crucial for those making artistic 'double exposure' images.
Double-bank check the results
Before saving and exporting, be certain that you're satisfied with the look of your composition. Add together any finishing touches to mask edges and opacity. At this phase, you may want to make any global edits that apply to both epitome layers.
Combine the two layers
Select both layers (too as any boosted adjustments yous've practical). Right-click and select 'Merge Layers'. Voila!

See the Results

Recently, I took a hike through Acadia National Park in northern Maine. The views were absolutely spectacular. Merely the overcast sky that afternoon presented some serious problems when I reached an overlook and took out my camera.

My initial exposure got an acceptable range of highlights and shadows within the surrounding granite and trees. The grayness sky hanging overhead, on the other paw, was virtually entirely diddled out. When I adjusted my settings to better capture some of the clouds in the altitude, I found that I was starting to lose some of the effectively details in the dark tree branches.

Of course, I could have done some dodging and burning and attempted to restore some detail from one of the individual raw files. Yet, merging the two shots and masking, when appropriate, was an easier, less time-consuming solution. Following the steps listed higher up, I was able to get a much more striking photograph while nevertheless maintaining an accurate, realistic look to my image.

I also took some time to play around and I tried creating my own double exposures. Starting time, I chose two split up images from a trip to the desert final twelvemonth:

Past flipping the second exposure 180°, playing around with the opacity, and applying a gradient mask, I was able to create the paradigm below. Keep in listen that combining exposures isn't an exact scientific discipline. Experiment with Photoshop's settings to make every composition your ain!

Double exposure photography is a great way to incorporate surprising shapes, textures, and colors into your images. For a long time, these 2 shots sat in my archives. Both felt as though they were missing something – they autumn a little flat individually. Only, when I brought them together in Photoshop, magic started to happen.

The cool blues of the casino carpet created a hit clash against the warm backlight of the hotel room. What's more, the precipitous geometric peaks of the 2nd exposure contrast against the natural curves of the silhouette. With a little bit of masking, I was even able to "weave" the human figure through the thick blue lines.

Concluding Thoughts on How to Merge Two Photos in Photoshop

No matter how yous slice it, merging images in Photoshop tin make a massive impact and fifty-fifty enhance images that would be deemed unusable as standalone shots. This process is useful for subtle adjustments and massive transformations akin. It is one pull a fast one on that every photographer should have up their sleeve!

Whether y'all're new to this technique, or you're a seasoned photograph merger, we hope this guide has provided useful tips and tricks. If you have your ain experiences, questions, or comments, why not share them in the comments below?

Source: https://www.photoworkout.com/merge-two-photos-in-photoshop/

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