How to Put One Picture on Top of Another in Photoshop

how to insert image in photoshop on top of the background
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Photoshop is one of the most powerful editing tools you can use for pictures. You can change the color profile or brightness of any image you upload to the platform.

Adobe Photoshop also lets you work in layers. Add multiple images to one project, overlapping them and blending them as wanted.

The guide below will help you learn how to put one picture on top of another in Photoshop. Several methods are available to combine photos in the software program.

How to Overlay Images in Photoshop

You can use several methods to learn how to put one picture on top of another in Photoshop. Use the move tool or multiple layers to start.

The two options mentioned above are only a couple of the ways you can blend two pictures in Photoshop. You can also try placing an image inside of another with Photoshop with a double exposure or change of the background.

Start a New Project in Photoshop

Before you learn how to do overlays in Photoshop, you have to know how to start a new project. The list below details how you can begin your artwork.

  1. Open Photoshop on your computer.
  2. Click on the “File” menu at the top of the page.
  3. Press the option labeled “New.”

Click “New” to start a new project.

Import Your Photos

You can import images into your project after starting to learn how to put one picture on top of another in Photoshop. You have to have your base layer present before using the methods in this article.

  1. Click on the “File” menu at the top of the screen.
  2. Choose the option labeled “Open.”
  3. Select the image you want to upload into Photoshop. This picture is your base layer.
  4. Click “Open.”

Creating Layers in Photoshop

The first method listed in this article for learning how to put one picture on top of another in Photoshop involves creating layers. These features are essential to most processes in Photoshop.

You can learn how to create an additional layer by following the below steps.

  1. Open a new project in Adobe Photoshop.
  2. Look for the “Layers” panel on the right side of the screen.
  3. Click the “New Layer” icon in the panel.
  4. The new layer will have 100% opacity and is in Normal mode.

Create a New Layer with Options

You can make a new layer and adjust the options like opacity and blending mode using the steps outlined below.

  1. After you open a new project, navigate to the “Layers” panel on the right side of the screen.
  2. Click on the icon for “New Layer.”
  3. Right-click on the new layer to rename it.
  4. Change the opacity and blending mode in the dropdown menus.
  5. Press “Ok.”

How to Layer Two Photos in Photoshop

You can learn how to put a picture on another picture online with Photoshop. Putting multiple images in one document will give you an artistic vision.

If you learn how to put one picture on top of another in Photoshop by making two layers, you can create several types of projects. Design collages, double exposures, and other art pieces.

You can use the below steps to learn how to add an overlay in Photoshop by creating two layers.

  1. Open Adobe Photoshop on your device.
  2. Open the base image you want to use first.
  3. Create a new layer in your project.
  4. Add your second image to the new layer.
  5. Drag and drop the second image into its proper position.
  6. Use the squares surrounding the image to resize it.
  7. Click “Save” or “Export” to keep the new image.
  8. Provide the image with a new name.
  9. Save the file in any format you need. The most popular options are PNG and JPG.

Blend the Two Layers

After adding both layers to your project, you can start to blend them. You can use the auto-blend command to get a clean look every time.

Use the steps below after you have two layers with one image in each.

  1. Hold the “Shift” key on your keyboard. Select both layers.
  2. Navigate to the “Align” panel to center the layers.
  3. Click on the “Edit” menu at the top of the screen.
  4. Choose the “Auto-Blend Layers” option.
  5. Choose “Panorama” if you want the layers to look like a panorama image.
  6. Select “Stack Images” to blend details in aligned layers. You can show specific areas of focus.
  7. Click the option labeled “Seamless Tones and Colors.” Adjust the tonality for your blend.
  8. Press “Ok.”

How to Insert an Image in Photoshop on top of the Background

You can create a beautiful layout by learning how to put one picture on top of another in Photoshop. Add as many images as you need for your creation by using the steps outlined below.

  1. Open Photoshop on your Mac or Windows computer.
  2. Click on the “File” menu to start a new project for learning how to insert image in Photoshop on top of the background.
  3. Choose the “Document Type” you want to use.
  4. Under “Background Contents,” select “Transparent.”
  5. Press “Ok.”
  6. Drag and drop a computer image to the document.
  7. Click the boxes around the image to resize it. It should fit the entirety of the document. Hold down “Shift” to keep the original proportions.
  8. Press “Enter.”
  9. Drag and drop another image to the document.
  10. Check the “Layers” panel to ensure you have two layers.
  11. Move images to the front or back by dragging the layer up or down in the “Layers” panel. The closer to the top of the list, the more upfront it is.
  12. Repeat steps nine through eleven if you want to add more images.
  13. Click the eye icon next to a layer in the “Layers” panel to hide it.

Refining Your Document

Start the editing process after learning how to insert image in Photoshop on top of the background. Some of the best techniques are in the list below.

  • Resize an Image: Press “Control + T” on a Windows computer or “Command + T” on a Mac. Drag the handles that appear.
  • Reposition an Image: Use the “Move” tool on the left side of the screen. It is the upmost option on the list.
  • Crop an Image: Choose the crop tool on the left side of the screen. It resembles an overlapping square. Move the sides of your image up to select the portion you want to keep.

Add a New Background in Photoshop

After you learn how to do overlays in Photoshop, you may decide you no longer want your background. You can navigate to the layer that holds this initial image to start the process.

You will have to make the background layer transparent first. Smooth out the foreground layers to ensure they look as they should.

You can delete the standard wall after you pull out the subject. Insert your new background when you get the desired look you need. Use one of the preinstalled options in Photoshop or upload a new image.

You can learn about replacing the background image with the steps listed below.

  1. Open Photoshop and locate the photo with the background you want to remove.
  2. Click on the “Quick Selection” tool. Outline the shape of any item in the foreground you want to keep.
  3. Press “Select Subject” in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  4. Click “Select and Mask.”
  5. Look for the “Properties” panel in the new workspace.
  6. Move the slider under “Shift Edge” to the left.
  7. Choose “Selection” in the dropdown menu next to “Output to.”
  8. Press “Ok.”
  9. Go to the “Layers” panel and choose the layer with the subject.
  10. Click the “Add Layer Mask” option. It resembles a circle in a light rectangle.
  11. Right-click on the layer with the subject and duplicate it.
  12. Move the new layer above the original.
  13. Click on the “Filter” menu at the top of the page.
  14. Choose “Blur,” followed by “Average.”
  15. Click the space between the new and subject layers. Hold down the “Option” or “Alt” keys simultaneously.
  16. Choose the new duplicate layer again.
  17. Change the blend method to “Soft Light.” Reduce the opacity to at least 50%.

The “Soft Light” blending mode helps you avoid harsh lines with your new background. Remember, you can upload any additional image when learning how to add an overlay in Photoshop in this method.

Create a Double Exposure Effect in Photoshop

You can learn about placing an image inside of another with Photoshop by using the double exposure effect. It is best to use high-contrast pictures when following the steps below.

  1. Open two images in Photoshop. Make sure they are in two separate layers.
  2. Drag one of the images on top of the other.
  3. Change the blend mode to “Screen.” Reduce the opacity to at least 75%.
  4. Add a mask to the layer inside of the original picture.
  5. Use the brush tool to paint where you want the second image to show.
  6. Add a new “Gradient Fill Layer.”
  7. Change the blend mode on the new layer to “Overlay.” Move the opacity to at least 60%.
  8. Move the angle of the gradient fill to the part of the image you want in focus.

Cut and Paste an Image into Another Photo

Finally, you can learn how to cut an image and paste it into another photo in Photoshop. You have to merge layers to complete this process. Open both background images in the software before you begin the steps below.

  1. Open two different projects in Photoshop. Each should contain a different image.
  2. Click on the layer in the “Layers” panel with the picture you want to use for learning how to cut an image and paste into another photo in Photoshop.
  3. Press the “Select” menu at the top of the screen.
  4. Choose the “All” option.
  5. Click on the “Edit” menu at the top of the screen.
  6. Press “Copy.”
  7. Open the second project where you want to paste your image.
  8. Click on the “Edit” menu again.
  9. Press “Paste” to move the picture.
  10. Wait for the new layer to show in the “Layers” panel.

How to Overlay Images in Photoshop

Several methods are available for learning how to put one picture on top of another in Photoshop. The easiest way is to create new layers, changing the blending mode or placement of the new picture.

You can also add new backgrounds in Photoshop. Cut out your subjects first to achieve your desired effect. If there is a picture you want to use from another project, copy and paste it.

Finally, you can create unique projects in Adobe Photoshop. Upload multiple images in separate layers to make a collage. Overlap two photos, adjusting the opacity and blending technique to achieve a double exposure look.

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