Array

Blending photos together Photoshop Layer Masks Tutorial

Colin Smith

Subscribe on YouTube:

A really powerful tool for collaging and compositing in Photoshop is layer masks. When we want to combine photos, we combine layer masks and gradients, it’s laughably easy to create stunning looking composited that are actually very easy to do. Check out this tutorial to get your creative motors running.

Here is a video for you to watch. There are more details in the written tutorial on this page too, so check that out for sure!


For you long-time CAFE crew, this used to be the old tutorial with the lame looking clock and keyboard. Like almost every tutorial on the CAFE, I have completely rewritten it. Why? First of all, Photoshop has progressed and so have I. I now have better techniques and faster ways of doing things than I did 10 years ago and I’ve developed as an artist and photographer, and want things looking current. Yessir, the new PhotoshopCAFE is back, and fresh!

Step 1

First thing you will need is 2 images that will blend together nicely.

Make sure they are both in the same resolution (72 dpi for the web) and color-space (RGB in this case). Open both these documents in Photoshop.

These images are from Adobe Stock

blend-01 blend-02

Step 2 Combine the 2 images together

We will want to combine both images into 1 document.  Choose the Move tool from the left toolbox: “V” key.

(CS6 and CC) If you have the application frame on (shown),

freeebook

Put your curser in the middle of the first image. Click-hold-Drag into the tab at the top for the second window as shown with the arrow below, (don’t let go yet) Wait for the image to come to the front. Drag and release in the middle of the new document to combine the two images into one document.

If you are on earlier version of Photoshop without the application frame: Drag one image into the other window and a new layer will be created automatically.

Tip: To center the new image in the window hold down the Shift key while dragging.

blend-03

(If you are stuck, I have made a beginners tutorial on how to combine photos in Photoshop here)

Step 3

blend-04We will now have 2 layers in the same document

We will add the Layer Mask

Click on the add layer mask button

This will create a new layer mask. A layer mask is transparent. When you paint black into the mask it allows the image underneath to show through. Where it is white, the underlying layer will be hidden.

Step 4

Press the “G” key to select the gradient tool. Make sure the foreground and backgrounds are set to black and white. “D” key. Select linear gradient and foreground to background.

blend-05

Now drag the gradient across the image.

blend-06

blend-07

Step 5

You will now see the two images blend together and the mask will have a gradient in it as shown

blend-08

blend-09

You can see the gradient in the layer thumbnail and the result on the image. Where it is white, the top image shows and where it is darker the back shows through. Experiment with different angles and start and end positions. Because a mask is non-destructive, you can experiment as much as you like with different gradients in the mask,

blend-10 blend-11

Step 6

EXTRA CREDIT!

Try changing the blending mode to something different for a different result, in this case I liked what Screen mode did to the feel of the image.

blend-12 blend-13

Step 7

You may also use any of the brush tools on the mask. Black will “paint away” the image and white will “paint it back”. Use a soft brush for best results.      

blend-14 blend-15

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and let me know in the comments  if you want more on collaging and compositing techniques. This is one of my specialties. I am adding new tutorials here at photoshopCAFE every week! Sign up for our newsletter so I can tell you when I  add new tutorials. You will also get some goodies like the super guide and some free presets. If you are already a subscriber, don’t worry, you will automatically get all our freebees as they come out.

Also, check out our ultimate guide to layer blending modes in Photoshop. All the blend modes explained and practical ideas to use them, tutorials,  explanations and a video overview.

What next?

 

skyCityProject

Compositing in Photoshop: Sky City Project

I have been asked countless times for more in depth training on Compositing, layers, masks and blending photographs. I did it! 2 hours of video that will show you exactly how to build stunning composites in Photoshop. What I have learned in 18 years, revealed here.

Colin builds a real-world compositing project with you. The great thing about a project is that nothing is skipped in the workflow. This is where you put together everything that you have learned about Photoshop.

img9img10

You will learn how to combine different photos together to create a piece of art in Photoshop. You will learn different ways of extracting photos from the background and how to seamlessly blend them all together. You will learn how to add atmosphere, and cinematic coloring and implied lighting.

See everything that you will learn here

“Great tutorial even for beginners and as a beginner, I can honestly say he made it easy to keep up with him. Colin walks you through and explains EVERYTHING. I can’t recommend this enough! If you are on the fence stop here and just buy it. You wont be disappointed.”
-Audrey (Compositing in Photoshop / Sky City Project)

Massive collection of free Photoshop Add ons from Colin Smith

I have put together a collection of premium add ons and goodies for Photoshop. Rather than sell then, I decided to just give them away to our visitors and members. This collection is called the Photoshop Vault. Sign up to get access, I will be adding to it on a regular basis too. Enjoy!

Included in the PS vault

  • Layer Blending Modes ebook
  • Photoshop Actions Pack
  • Colins Cloud and sky collection
  • Lightroom and Camera Raw Presets
  • Camera Raw and Lightroom custom Profiles
  • Cloud and smoke brushes
  • Color Grading LUTs
  • Keyboard Shortcut cheat sheet


PS Don’t forget to follow us on Social Media for more tips.. (I've been posting some fun Instagram and Facebook Stories lately)
You can get my free Layer Blending modes ebook along with dozens of exclusive Photoshop Goodies here photoshop goodies for free

54 thoughts on “Blending photos together Photoshop Layer Masks Tutorial

  1. October 25, 2014 at 3:36 am

    Completely updated this tutorial on combining and blending photos to create composites and collages.

  2. Cosmin Savenco
    February 22, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    Hello , please help me , i don’t know what i’m doing wrong but whenever i try to use the gradient tool on the layer mask it just doesn’t do anything !!

    1. March 16, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      I just uploaded a video on this tutorial page. See if the settings on the video help ypu

    2. May 1, 2016 at 9:16 am

      Make sure that opacity is turned up to 100% and that blend mode is set to normal. Also that your gradient is black to white and linear

  3. suruha
    March 17, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Great tutorial! You instill a sense of confidence in me when I watch. Thank you for both!
    Su

    1. March 17, 2015 at 12:57 pm

      Confidence is a big step in mastery, so I’m happy to hear that!

  4. March 17, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    …great tutorial (as always). Would really like to learn how to organize my fonts into familys..serif, sans, decorative, scripts etc. Much time would be saved looking for fonts if able to have folders to arrange them in. I speak of using this in PSCC. I thank you.

    1. March 18, 2015 at 9:55 am

      Hi Peter. Good to see you here! This is possible using a font manager such as Font Agent Pro. I’m not sure this is possible with Just CC alone. I will look into it though.

  5. Mike Gaskin
    March 18, 2015 at 1:53 am

    This is probably the best tutorial on blending I have had the privilege of watching. Please keep up the good work

  6. Ken Garrard
    April 25, 2015 at 4:43 am

    “Open both these documents in Photoshop.” So as a complete beginner I have failed even before the first hurdle on this tutorial. It won’t let me open a second document?

  7. May 6, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    this one of the best blending tutorials i’ve ever seen.. thank you very much …

  8. Mariflor Blaser
    June 17, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Hi. I am a newbie in Photoshop and it was really easy to understand your tutorial. Keep up the good work and thanks

  9. Jeansica Risha
    July 3, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    cool, very helpful

  10. August 23, 2015 at 11:05 am

    How are these cool photo layers made?

    By blending layers in a photo editing tool, e.g., Photoshop, likely using masks and opacity reductions to determine what will show and whether it completely obscures the image below. Here is one of many tutorials available on how to use the tools http:…

  11. Ed Mehrzad
    October 28, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Awesome tutorial, best I’ve seen on this subject, very easy to follow and understand, Peter you are a great teacher. cheers. Ed

  12. Genesis M
    November 15, 2015 at 10:42 pm

    Trying to drag the images over into the other and it just won’t work.. help me please,

    1. November 15, 2015 at 11:48 pm

      Can you please elaborate a little bit on “wont work” what’s happening, (or not happening)?

      1. grace snider
        November 26, 2015 at 7:39 pm

        i have the same issue. i opened them both separately and when I pressed “V” and tried to drag, nothing would happen. I would drag it and let go, but when I clicked on the other tab where I dragged it, nothing changed/happened

        1. November 27, 2015 at 9:40 am

          There are 3 steps.
          1. (V key) move tool, click on the image in the document window (not layers panel)
          2. Drag into tab, with for the new window to open
          3. Move pointer into the new (destination) document window and release in the middle of the image

          Don’t let go of the mouse button until you have finished all 3 steps

          1. David
            February 9, 2016 at 12:53 am

            Even with your extra explanation this part is not explained as clearly as it could be. I mean, I did figure it out, but it could be asked: where is the V tool? What does “with for the new window to open” mean? In Step 3 in the article, where to find the Add Layer Mask button is not specified. Also, you can in fact let go of the mouse button after selecting the Move tool. One other point: once you’ve made multiple layers it seems to become problematic to save the file in accessible formats, other than .psd.

            1. May 1, 2016 at 9:27 am

              I have just updated those instructions, please let me know if this makes it clearer

    2. WriterLady
      April 3, 2016 at 11:50 am

      It’s easy to get around this. Just go into one window, Select All, and Copy. Go into the other window and Paste. It should automatically make a new layer, and then you can rearrange the layers as you like.

  13. December 6, 2015 at 2:50 am

    hi Colin Smith,
    your post is really authentic and helpful thanks for sharing with us.

  14. SimraN NanwanI
    December 17, 2015 at 6:00 am

    Thank you.. That was very helpful!

  15. Tanya Owens
    January 10, 2016 at 11:49 am

    I have CS5.5 can I do this with that version?

    1. WriterLady
      April 3, 2016 at 11:50 am

      I have 4 and it worked for me!

  16. January 14, 2016 at 9:02 am

    It’s a awesome layer mask tutorial. Now i’m expert to creating layer mask in photoshop.

  17. Peter Limo
    February 4, 2016 at 2:18 am

    Hi, thanks a lot, this has really helped me. I have a problem with making a photo smoother especially faces and arms or areas on photos that needs to be smoother… Can you help?

  18. February 29, 2016 at 1:15 am

    Great tutorial of Photoshop layer mask. Thanks to share your technique with us.

  19. March 22, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    thanks you photoshop cafe, your tutorial make me easy to completed my job …

  20. May 19, 2016 at 2:52 am

    I tried blending images, but some of what I wanted to keep ended up being removed too. Do I need to adjust the size of my gradient then?

  21. Amber Lloyd
    August 30, 2016 at 5:24 am

    Another excellent tutorial, thanks so much for sharing 🙂 Will help loads when I sit my ACA exam for Photoshop.

  22. Nicole Bunney
    November 27, 2016 at 4:40 pm

    Fantastic tutorial! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

  23. Jamie Smith
    December 21, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    Having difficulty with following the tutorial.. well, making PS work for me as you demonstrate. When you paint black or white in the layer mask, how do you do that exactly? How do you paint white and how do you paint black? I’m able to press the controls to fill the layer mask with either black or white but not able to paint and have layer 0 show through onto layer the layer 1 mask.
    Thanks!!!!

    1. george
      April 21, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      on your tools there are two overlapping squares, by default they should be black or white. Whichever is on top is the one you’ll be using. If you need to flip them, click the tiny arrows just to the top right of the overlapping squares. Or on PC you can press X to swap the foreground/background colors. Does that answer the question?

  24. Dilip Mondal
    April 14, 2017 at 8:15 am

    when i used layer mask with reveal all option for blending then how can i apply this……..here in cc i can not apply. In
    CS 3 and 5 i can apply after blending and again i can use reveal all.

    1. April 14, 2017 at 9:27 am

      The layer masks in CC work exactly the same as older versions. Make sure that your brush is set to “normal” when painting on masks

  25. July 26, 2018 at 2:38 am

    Thanks for your tutorials. Many many thanks for sharing with us.

  26. Mario
    August 8, 2018 at 10:04 am

    Great!!! Just was I was look for

  27. Belle
    September 28, 2018 at 2:38 pm

    Blended my photos together quite nicely! Thank you for the tutorial and the free eBook which looks to be a handy reference (& learning) tool.

  28. December 29, 2023 at 5:09 am

    this one of the best blending tutorials i’ve ever seen.. thank you very much …

  29. Hendrik Jan van Brandwijk
    September 4, 2024 at 5:42 am

    I know, I know….: pretty late….! But this tutorial was SO clear and good to follow. I copied your text (thank you/thank you) but the link to the two pictures isn’t working. Probably “past their selling date…” Could I ask you to send me the two files via mail….? PLEASE? It was the “Blending photos together Photoshop Layer Masks Tutorial” (17 of March 2015….. | SORRY…) by Mr. Colin Smith. The two pictures were: The “Tree-Leave” hat for the girl PLUS the “Sky-leaved” picture, both from the “Dollar Photo Club” Your assistance is HIGHLY appreciated. Very best of greetings from AMSTERDAM.

    1. Colin Smith
      December 4, 2024 at 5:52 pm

      Dollar photo club no longer exists

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

New in Photoshop CC 2015 release is the ability to merge bracketed photos together in ACR (Adobe Camera Raw). In...

Harmonize Layers in Photoshop and how to get BETTER results from new Harmonize

Here is a tutorial that will show you the easiest way to create see through glass text in Photoshop using...

Copy link