Bernskiold Media

Blending images is a vital technique to know in Photoshop. All it takes is understanding how masks work and then utilizing some of the tools to archive the effect.

Opening The First Image

To get started, go to File > Open to open your first image.

Opening the Second Image

Go to the File menu, then come down and click on the Place item. We will be placing the image that is to be blended using this method, ontop of the other image. Just find the image you wish to blend into the background on your harddrive and select it in the file browsing window.

Unlocking the Background Layer

I have a habit when working with documents like these, where I may want to edit the bottom most layer (in this case the first photo), to unlock the background layer. This is simpoly done by holding down the Option (PC: Alt) key, while double-clicking on the layer you wish to unlock.

Adding a Layer Mask

Next up, we will add a layer mask to the top layer, which we wish to blend in. To do so, click the new layer mask icon (circled in the screenshot in the previous step). When you have successfully added a mask, it should look like in the image above.

Picking the Right Gradient

Select your Gradient Tool (G) and from the gradient selector, chose a black to white gradient. You can use any type of gradient that you wish, linear, radial, reflected etc. with different results, depending on how you want it. I find the linear and radial to be the best for blending.

Applying the Gradient

Make sure that you have the layer mask selected. To do so, click on the mask icon (the white one) next to the layer icon in the layers panel (as can be seen above).

Drag out, using the gradient tool any type of gradient that you wish. When using a black to white gradient, you can always redraw as you like. The gradient before a new will be replaced.

The Final Result

When using a good gradient and dragging it out at a length that greatly differs from image to image as well as situation to situation, your result might look similar to the one above here.

All Images are copyrighted their respective owners at iStockPhoto.com.