How to Merge Photos

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Scan or import the photos you wish to merge into your photo editing program on your computer.

   For this example, import your photos into Adobe Photoshop.
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   Step 2: Open the 2 photos you want to merge in their own separate document windows.

   , To use a shortcut, simply press the "V" button on your computer's keyboard. ,, When you let go of the left mouse click, both images will appear in the same document window, 1 on top of the other. , Be sure the photo you want as the background photo is titled "Background" and the photo you want for the front is labeled "Layer
   1."
   
   Do this by using the "Free Transform" command (shortcut for Windows is "Crtl + T," shortcut for Mac is "Command + T") and dragging the edges of each photo as necessary. ,, To do this, select the layer 1 photo in the "Layers" tab then click on the "Add a Layer Mask" icon at the bottom of the "Layers" tab.
   
   Photoshop will then show you the layer mask next to the layer 1 photo in the "Layers" screen. , You will know that it is selected by seeing a white highlighted border around the layer mask.
   
   The layer mask is the white thumbnail next to your layer 1 photo's thumbnail within the "Layers" screen. ,, Select the "Black to White" gradient option by clicking on it; this option will be on the top row, third from the left.
   
   Click anywhere on the screen outside of the "Gradient Picker" box to close the gradient window. , Place the top "+" of the tool where you want the background, or layer 0, photo to begin blending into the layer 1 photo.
   
   Set the bottom "+" where you want the blending to stop. , Adobe Photoshop will now show you the photos blended together as 1 seamless image.
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   Step 3: Grab the "Move" tool in the tools palette.

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   Step 4: Click on the photo you want as the background photo to select that photo's document window.

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   Step 5: Drag the selected background photo into the unselected document window of the second photo by holding the left click of the mouse.

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   Step 6: Click on the "Layers" tab to view both images as their own separate layer.

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   Step 7: Resize both layers as necessary so your photos will merge with the desired images showing.

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   Step 8: Press "Enter" if using Windows and "Return" if using a Mac when you are finished resizing the photos to accept the changes made.

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   Step 9: Add a layer mask to the front photo

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    Step 10: layer 1

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    Step 11: in order to seamlessly blend.

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    Step 12: Select the layer mask within the "Layers" tab screen.

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    Step 13: Select the "Gradient" tool from the tools palette (shortcut for both Windows and Mac is simply pressing the letter "G").

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    Step 14: Click on the "Options" bar at the top of the screen then click on the downward facing arrow of the gradient preview strip to access the list of gradient options called the "Gradient Picker."

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    Step 15: Holding the left click

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    Step 16: drag the gradient tool to set the gradient transition area in order to blend the photos together.

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    Step 17: Release the left click once you are done setting the gradient transition parameters.

Detailed Guide

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