How do I combine 2 photos into 1 photo??

[lifeasart]

I mostly use Lightroom to edit photos but I also have CS5. I really want to be able to take 2 different photos & combine them side by side to make one photo. For example, having one photo with an object in focus & the other photo with a person in focus. I would like to do it with 2 horizontal pictures on top of each other & 2 vertical pictures side by side. I've searched the web but haven't found a clear answer on how to do this. Any & all advice welcome. Thank you!

[DigitalScape]

Kisha, this is pretty easy to do in CS5.

Open the first image and see what the image size is. say it is an image 200 x 300 pixels.

Next increase the canvas size by the same amount (i.e. go from a canvas size of 200 x 300 pixels to 400 x 300 - for a side by side image). If you want additional space between two image increase the 400 pixels to add space.

Open the second image in CS5 and then copy the image to a new layer in the first image.

Move the new layer around to position it as you want.


I am sure there are several other methods to do this (maybe one easier that what I have suggested). Hopes this helps you.

[lifeasart]

Thank you so much John!! It worked! I still need to practice getting it perfect but I did it. You're a lifesaver!

[DigitalScape]

Good to hear you were successful.

[jennifercashin]

how do you copy the second picture into the first pictures layer?

[DigitalScape]

Jennifer, there are several ways in Photoshop to copy the second image to the first.

With the second image visible, select all (ctrl A), edit>copy. Then go to the first image and the edit >paste.

I usually have both images open and visible on my screen, after resizing the canvas of the first image as noted above, I click on the second image (merge the layers if necessary, or select all the layers), and then with the mouse, I drag the second image to the first. I then use the move feature/option and adjust the image as needed. If you hold the "alt" (or whatever the mac equiv is) and drag the second image to the first ti will align the edges (assuming the image are the same size).

Hope this help you.

[jennifercashin]

Thanks~ I think I figured it out- I merged by dragging the second photo and dropping it in but learned by trial and error that I needed different layers and then merged the layers etc.....getting the hang og layers~ once I can think in layers I think a lot of tricks will get easier...also the resizing is throwing me off but will keep at it