{"id":53382,"date":"2022-08-19T13:05:34","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T20:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/photoshopcafe.com\/?p=53382"},"modified":"2022-10-05T17:15:12","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T00:15:12","slug":"how-to-combine-photos-in-photoshop-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/photoshopcafe.com\/how-to-combine-photos-in-photoshop-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"How to combine photos in Photoshop for beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to realistically combine photos in Photoshop for Beginners.<\/h1>\n

\u25ba Download the practice images here:<\/a><\/p>\n

This photoshop tutorial shows you how to combine images so they look like a single image. I have made the steps niuce and simple so you can follow along and apply these steps your own images.<\/p>\n

Step 1. How to Combine images in Photoshop<\/h2>\n

Open the 2 images File>Open<\/p>\n

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To combine the 2 images (Watch the video to learn about resolution and which picture to use as the base, I skipped over this in the steps to make it easier)<\/p>\n

Choose the move tool<\/p>\n

Click in the center of the lion image<\/p>\n

With the mouse still pressed, drag the pointer up to the tab of the image you want to move the lion into.<\/p>\n

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The second image will open. With the mouse still down, drag into the center of the new image.<\/p>\n

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Hold the Shift key (to center) and then release the mouse.<\/p>\n

You will now have a single document with 2 images as layers. (See the layers panel)<\/p>\n

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Here the 2 images are on layers, we need to blend them together now.<\/p>\n

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Step 2:\u00a0How to remove the background from a layer<\/h2>\n

The first thing we need to do is remove the background from the lion picture, so the new background can show through.<\/p>\n

Let’s shrink the image of the lion a little bit.<\/p>\n

Choose Ctrl\/Cmd+T for free transform.<\/p>\n

Drag the handles to make the lion smaller.<\/p>\n

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If the image distorts, hold down the Shift Key to constrain the proportions. If it doesn’t distort, you don’t need to hold downShift. (Its now a toggle and could be working either way).<\/p>\n

Here is the result.<\/p>\n

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To cut out the subject…<\/p>\n

Choose the Quick Selection Tool<\/p>\n

Click select Subject from the top bar<\/p>\n

You will see a selection around the lion<\/p>\n

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Choose Select and Mask<\/p>\n

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This will take you into select and mask where you can refine the edges of the selection.<\/p>\n

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Choose the refine brush (usually its selected by default)<\/p>\n

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Drag the brush over the edges of the fur<\/p>\n

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When you release the brush, it will improve the selection around the edges of fur and hair<\/p>\n

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Turn on Decontaminate Colors, Choose New Layer with Layer Mask and Click ok.<\/p>\n

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The lion is now cut out. It’s the same process for a person or anything really.<\/p>\n

Press Ctrl\/Cmd+T for Free Transform once again.<\/p>\n

Size and position your lion.<\/p>\n

Press Enter to apply<\/p>\n

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Step 3: How to match the colors and lighting<\/h2>\n

The lion is in position, but the color and tone don’t match the background yet.<\/p>\n

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With the lion layer selected, choose Image>Adjustments>Match Color<\/p>\n

Under source, choose the image you are working on<\/p>\n

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In Layer, choose the layer you want to copy the colors from. This will be the background<\/p>\n

You will see the adjustment applied to the lion<\/p>\n

Use the fade to reduce the intensity of the adjustment<\/p>\n

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This is looking good.<\/p>\n

Click OK<\/p>\n

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Step 4: How to create realistic shadows in Photoshop<\/h2>\n

Now the lion matches the background, but we need a shadow to anchor it into the scene. This is the step that adds a lot of the realism.<\/p>\n

Choose the Lion layer and click the fx<\/em> at the bottom of the layers panel<\/p>\n

Choose Drop Shadow<\/p>\n

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Apply a black drop shadow. Don’t worry about the angle and everything at this point, we are just looking for a black silhouette<\/p>\n

Click OK<\/p>\n

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We want to make the shadow a regular pixel layer<\/p>\n

Right Click on the drop shadow and choose Create Layer<\/p>\n

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The shadow is now a normal layer.<\/p>\n

Choose the shadow layer and press Cmd\/Ctrl+T<\/p>\n

Right-Click and choose Flip Vertical<\/p>\n

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The shadow layer will now be flipped.<\/p>\n

Drag the shadow underneath the lion<\/p>\n

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Right-Click and choose skew<\/p>\n

Drag the bottom of the shadow to change the angle to match the light direction<\/p>\n

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Reposition and press Enter to apply.<\/p>\n

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The shadow is in position. We need to soften it<\/p>\n

Choose Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur.<\/p>\n

14.8 makes this shadow nice and soft.<\/p>\n

Press ok.<\/p>\n

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Adjust the opacity of the shadow so it isn’t so dark.<\/p>\n

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And there is the shadow.<\/p>\n

I have a more accurate way of making shadows (based on this method), My next tutorial will be on just making a shadow, I want to keep this tutorial as simple as possible since it’s a whole walk through of the entire image..<\/p>\n

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Step 5, adding a Color Grade.<\/h2>\n

Nothing brings a room together more than a rug.<\/p>\n

Nothing brings different layers together more than an overall color grade. It also adds flavor.<\/p>\n

Here is a fast way.<\/p>\n

Choose the top Layer<\/p>\n

Create a new Color Adjustment layer<\/p>\n

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Choose your color.<\/p>\n

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Change the blending mode (normal) to Color<\/p>\n

Reduce the opacity to suit your taste.<\/p>\n

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Because its an adjustment layer, you can click on the color and change it any time you like, each color will give the composite a different feel or mood.<\/p>\n

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I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Don’t forget to watch the video at the top for clarity on these steps and extra tips.<\/p>\n

Keep your eyes open for the next tutorial, which is creating super realistic shadows<\/p>\n

Thanks<\/p>\n

Colin<\/p>\n

If you like this tutorial, check out my new course on Learning Layers in Photoshop\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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\r\n\r\nPS Don\u2019t forget to follow us on Social Media for more tips..<\/strong>\r\n