169. Create a Composite Image Before You Begin  44 Create a New Image
97 Erase Part of a Layer 99 Move, Resize, Skew, or Distort a Layer
A composite image is made up of several related photographs, each on its own layer. Typically, the photographs overlap a bit, with their edges feathered to make the transition between the two images smooth and not jarring. You might add a background that peeks through where the photographs don't appear, and maybe even some text that pulls the theme together. Unlike when you make a scrapbook page (see 168 Create a Scrapbook Page), each photo in a composite image is left unframed so that it can blend with the other photographs into a cohesive whole. If you're looking to blend two images and create an artistic impression of both photos, see 167 Blend Two Images into One. In that task, two images are laid on top of each other, and a special blend mode creates a ghostly image of one on the other. 1. | Create New Image
Open the Editor in Standard Edit mode and set the background color to the color you want to use for the background of your composite image. Then, click the New button on the Shortcuts bar to start a new image or choose File, New, Blank File. The New dialog box appears.
Type Composite in the Name box. Select the size for the final image from the Preset list, or enter Width and Height measurements. Select Background Color from the Background Contents list. Adjust any other options you like, such as the Resolution. Click OK to create a new image with the background color you choose. Save the new image in Photoshop (*.psd) format.
| 2. | Insert the Main Photo
Insert your main photo by first opening the image and arranging the screen so that you can see the Composite window too. Drag the main photo's thumbnail from the Layers palette and drop it into the Composite window. A new layer for the photo is automatically created.
 | 3. | Resize and Position Main Image
TIPS  | To help you blend the edges of your images, reduce the Opacity of the top image in the Layers palette so that you can see the underlying image more easily. Now you can erase just enough of the top image so that the subject in the underlying image is not obscured. You can also try using a clipping mask to blend two images together. Just fill a layer with a gradient that flows in the same direction as the two images flow from one to the other. Select a gradient that transitions from transparent to fully opaque back to transparent again, such as Foreground to Transparent. Enable the Reverse option on the Options bar, and use the Radial Gradient, Reflected Gradient, or Diamond Gradient type. Then place this layer below the top image and choose Layer, Group with Previous to create the mask. See 163 Mask an Image Layer. |
Click the Move tool on the Toolbox and use it to resize and reposition the main image. To move the image on its layer, click in the middle of the image and drag left, right, up, or down. To resize the image, press Shift and click it with the Move tool and drag a corner handle. Pressing Shift as you drag ensures that you don't distort the photo as you resize it.
| 4. | Insert Other Photos
Repeat steps 2 and 3 to insert the other photos for the composite. Resize and position each one so that the photos slightly overlap.
| 5. | Blend Image Edges
To make the effect softer, erase the edges of your photos so that they blend. In the Layers palette, select the inserted image you want to trim. Click the Eraser tool on the Toolbox. On the Options bar, choose a large, soft brush and adjust the Opacity so that you erase gradually, creating a smooth transition.
| 6. | View the Result
After you're satisfied with the result, make any other changes you want and save the PSD file. Resave the result in JPEG or TIFF format, leaving your PSD image with its layers intact so that you can return at a later time and make different adjustments if you want.
I added a custom sun shape and some text to finish off my composite image of a fun day spent boating on a lake. Look for this image in the Color Gallery.
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