How to Seamlessly Blend Photos in Photoshop

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seamlessly blend photos in photoshop

How to Seamlessly Blend Photos in Photoshop

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Step 1 of 25
Grab your first image. I'm using a Toronto skyline photo found on Google. As a tip if there is an area with a blank space like above the skyline. It helps the blending process a lot.

Grab your first image. I'm using a Toronto skyline photo found on Google. As a tip if there is an area with a blank space like above the skyline. It helps the blending process a lot.

Step 2 of 25
My second image comes from http://taenaron.deviantart.com.

My second image comes from http://taenaron.deviantart.com.

Step 3 of 25
Open photoshop. All versions will work for this guide!

Open photoshop. All versions will work for this guide!

Step 4 of 25
Open a new document in photoshop so we can have a canvas for both o our images. Command + N in Mac and Control + Shift + N on PC. I am using a 1024 x 768 canvas for this guide.

Open a new document in photoshop so we can have a canvas for both o our images. Command + N in Mac and Control + Shift + N on PC. I am using a 1024 x 768 canvas for this guide.

Step 5 of 25
My canvas. Time to drag my photos in!

My canvas. Time to drag my photos in!

Step 6 of 25
I have an idea of my blend already. The planet behind the skyline. So I first place my skyline onto my canvas.

I have an idea of my blend already. The planet behind the skyline. So I first place my skyline onto my canvas.

Step 7 of 25
Now an important and often overlooked part that can help a seamless blend a lot is the color match with the eye dropper tool. Select the eye dropper and take it to your base image.

Now an important and often overlooked part that can help a seamless blend a lot is the color match with the eye dropper tool. Select the eye dropper and take it to your base image.

Step 8 of 25
Select an area where you think the two images will meet. What the eye dropper tool will do is choose a color from the spectrum that matches the area selected.

Select an area where you think the two images will meet. What the eye dropper tool will do is choose a color from the spectrum that matches the area selected.

Step 9 of 25
As you see the eye dropper automatically adds it to your color palette.

As you see the eye dropper automatically adds it to your color palette.

Step 10 of 25
Now grab the paint bucket tool and fill the background checkered layer with the color selected by the eye dropper

Now grab the paint bucket tool and fill the background checkered layer with the color selected by the eye dropper

Step 11 of 25

Note: when creating a new document the checkered (transparent) layer will be listed as background and your image is automatically a new layer. So fill the 'background' layer with the selected color!

Step 12 of 25
Result from filling the background! Looking great already. Now grab your other photo!

Result from filling the background! Looking great already. Now grab your other photo!

Step 13 of 25
Looking ugly now. But It will all be better soon. Time to add the layer mask!

Looking ugly now. But It will all be better soon. Time to add the layer mask!

Step 14 of 25
At the bottom of your layers section you will see what looks like a rectangle with a circle in it. Make sure your layer that you will be vanishing is selected. As you can see, my planet photo is.

At the bottom of your layers section you will see what looks like a rectangle with a circle in it. Make sure your layer that you will be vanishing is selected. As you can see, my planet photo is.

Step 15 of 25
I now have added a layer mask to my planet photo. The layer mask is what enables us to blend. It's the most important thing.

I now have added a layer mask to my planet photo. The layer mask is what enables us to blend. It's the most important thing.

Step 16 of 25
Grab your gradient tool. Remember where the paint bucket is from a prior step? Well the gradient tool is there too! Click and hold your mouse over the paint bucket to access a second option.

Grab your gradient tool. Remember where the paint bucket is from a prior step? Well the gradient tool is there too! Click and hold your mouse over the paint bucket to access a second option.

Step 17 of 25
An important step is choosing the black to white gradient swatch and choose the reflected style of modes. As seen above. Reflected mode is the little icon to the right of the swatches.

An important step is choosing the black to white gradient swatch and choose the reflected style of modes. As seen above. Reflected mode is the little icon to the right of the swatches.

Step 18 of 25

Now to blend!

Step 19 of 25
Now with your gradient selected. Drag it from the bottom of the photo you are blending vertically into the photo as seen here.

Now with your gradient selected. Drag it from the bottom of the photo you are blending vertically into the photo as seen here.

Step 20 of 25

Keep adjusting the gradient as much as you need until you are satisfied with the product!

Step 21 of 25

TIP: you can also use the brush with the shade black selected to add finer blend points if the gradient is not doing a desired job

Step 22 of 25
How mine turned out. Looking cool!

How mine turned out. Looking cool!

Step 23 of 25
My finished product after some color adjustments!

My finished product after some color adjustments!

Step 24 of 25

Remember: this will take practice but it is a great fundamental technique. I know this was long and the photos could be better as they are off my screen. Take your time and have fun!!

Step 25 of 25

I will answer as many comments as I can in the comments section. I made this as clear as I could. Good luck and remember that you can do this with as many photos as you'd like! Imagination is key!

You're Done

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14 Comments
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Photoshop

Zoom Tillis

Can you do this as an app

Zoom Tillis 3 weeks ago

Adeel McDangerson

awesome stuff mate :)

Adeel McDangerson 4 weeks ago

Missa 💗

This is great!! Thanks a lot

Missa 💗 4 months ago

River Haven

Wonderful. Thanks!

River Haven 4 months ago

Dagen Kron

Great job explaining everything! Please do more PS tutorials:-)

Dagen Kron last year

N S

Simple and effective. Please post more PS tutorials!

N S last year

Dan Henson

I really hope you do more ps tutorials soon :)

Dan Henson last year

Jaimie Laver

This is amazing! Do more!!!

Jaimie Laver last year

Nathan Fincher

Thanks for the tut. Nice to see a photoshop tutorial on here. This could me a great app for photoshop resources!

Nathan Fincher last year

Pj Hutch

Glad you guys like it. Hope it comes in handy.

(author) last year

Amanda Max

Thanks! Easy guide to follow!

Amanda Max last year

Alex Salas

Cool! Nice concept!

Alex Salas last year

Pj Hutch

Thanks! Glad you liked it. I'll be posting some finished pieces I've done on the guide too when I finish some more!

(author) last year

Crystal Romero

So awesome!!!

Crystal Romero last year

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Pj Hutch

I always try and credit when I can find a source! Thanks for the positive comments Nathan! I plan to put a few more useful tips I've learned in my 10+ year of designing.

(author) last year

Nathan Fincher

This picture is awesome! Photoshopped or not. Kudos for crediting the original artist 😊

Nathan Fincher last year

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Dan Henson

Adam, he has extended the photo upwards to make way for the moon

Dan Henson 6 months ago

Adam Sumner

I don't understand what has changed and why?

Adam Sumner 6 months ago

Dan Henson

Haha I can see your reflection

Dan Henson last year

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Candy W

This is brilliant thanks! I can't wait to try it. I only have Pixelmator but hopefully I can work out the corresponding tools. Thanks so much for sharing this.

Candy W 5 months ago

Oscar Uribe

Nice job

Oscar Uribe 4 months ago