Photoshop Elements: 1-2-3 Collage!

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Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6

February 21, 2008

Make a quick collage using three images. Blending modes and a layer mask are the secrets to this technique. The images we use will include a metallic texture, a text manuscript, and a portrait.

Final Collage
Final collage

Tip

To prepare images for use in a collage, open each image and resize it so that all images are the same width, height, and resolution before you begin.

To create a 3-image collage:

  1. Open all three images to use in the collage.

  2. Create a new image to use for the collage.

    1. From the File menu, select New, and then select Blank File.
    2. In the New dialog box, enter the dimensions of your images and fill the background layer with white.
    3. Click OK.

  3. Add the metallic texture:

    1. Copy the metallic texture and paste it in the layer directly above the white background. (Need help? Learn how to copy an image into another image.)

      Texture source

    2. In the Layers Palette, select the Difference blend mode for the metallic layer. The colors in the metallic layer interact with the white layer to produce an interesting combination of blues and greens.

      Texture with Difference blend mode

  4. Add the manuscript:

    1. Copy the manuscript and paste it in the layer directly above the metallic layer.

      Script image

    2. In the Layers Palette, select the Overlay blend mode.

    3. On the manuscript layer, press Ctrl+T to select and transform the script image. Use the transform handles to adjust the orientation and placement of the script as needed.

      Script with Overlay blend mode

  5. Create a new Levels adjustment layer above the manuscript layer. In the Levels window, do not make any changes and click OK. Notice that the adjustment layer contains a layer mask filled with white. We'll use this layer mask later.

  6. Add the portrait image:

    1. Copy the portrait image and paste it in the layer directly above the Levels adjustment layer.

    2. With the portrait layer selected, press Ctrl+G to create a clipping group with the Levels adjustment layer.

  7. To reveal the background, add a gradient mask to the layer mask on the Levels adjustment layer.

    1. Select the mask on the Levels adjustment layer.
    2. Select the Gradient tool and choose the Black to White gradient in the Gradient Picker.
    3. Drag the gradient from right to left for a very short distance horizontally starting at the right edge of the girl's hair. Start the gradient at the point where you want the two images to merge and stop it where you want the transition to end. (On the layer mask, black hides the pixels on the girl's portrait to reveal the layers below.)
    4. Select the Brush tool and choose a large soft brush.
    5. With the mask selected, paint on the picture with white to reveal more of the girl's hair.

    Screen shot

Source Images

You can download many very interesting free and inexpensive images to use in your collages. The sources for the images in this collage are described below:

Metallic texture Metallic texture, free for personal and commercial use at Image After
Manuscript Manuscript, Vatican Expo online, photos from the Library of Congress where you can find many public domain images and images you can use for personal projects
Girl portrait Photo of girl, stock photo at iStockphoto, ©iStockphoto/debibishop

Related

Combine Multiple Images into One Image

Tips

Here are a few ways to add to your collage:

  • Try different blend modes to produce other interesting effects.
  • To make a more complex collage, add other photo or image layers.
  • Add text layers.
  • To embellish, add a blank layer and paint with decorative brushes.
For permission to use an article or resource for educational or non-profit purposes, please contact me at karenb@alibony.com. Commercial use is not permitted.

Updated on November 9, 2009