Blending photos - Photoshop Elements 5.0

[new2PSE]

I would like to create a header for a website.

I want to use two pictures - either jpeg or gif format - as part of the header.

I can add the pictures to the background canvas without any problem...except that they are just two square boxes on the canvas and you can see the vertical edges on the left and the right of the pictures.

What I would like to do is eliminate the vertical edges of the boxes and blend the pictures either into the background or together so that there are no vertical box edges around the pictures.

Can anyone guide me step-by-step through the procedure (using photoshop elements 5.0) so I can blend the photos on the header, please?

Thank you!

[Wendy]

Hi ....

... and welcome to Scrappers Guide

Well the first thing is that you need the two photographs to have a good overlap so that you are able to blend one into the other. Once you have that then the simplest (but not really the best way) is to lowever the opacity of your eraser and gently erase the edge.

A better way is to use a mask from one of the adjustment layers and a gradient but you would been a little more experience to do that

Let me know if you want to try it and I will do some instructions ..

Wendy

[new2PSE]

Hi Wendy...

Yes, I'd like to try and use a mask from one of the adjustment layers and a gradient.

Would you be so kind as to provide step-by-step instructions (screen shots might be helpful, too, if possible.)

Thanks for your help. Very much appreciated!

P.S. I'm using Photoshop Elements 5.0

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I really can only give you an outline of how to do it here ... but that should help

First make sure that you have a good overlap of the images
Then do a level adjustment layer. Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Levels (donlt change any setting but just click on OK)
Next drag this layer between the two photographs you want to blend and group the top one with it. (Go to the layers palatte, place your cursor on the top image and then do Layer>Group with previous)
Now click on the white area of the Levels Adjustment Layer Mask ... and with black as your foreground colour paint away the excess.
Use a soft brush and a lower opacity and you should get as good blend.

If you paint away too much then just change your foreground colour to white and paint it back in again

You could also try using a Black to White gradient on the mask

Hope that helps ...

Wendy

[new2PSE]

Thank you, Wendy and Heather G.!

That is exactly what I've been looking for!

Thanks again - I really appreciate your help with this.

[sabina_canada]

Hello Wendy,
just saw your posting and wondered if 'blending' is the same as creating a 'panorama' or what I call 'melting one into the other' ?

Sabina.

Hi ....

... and welcome to Scrappers Guide

Well the first thing is that you need the two photographs to have a good overlap so that you are able to blend one into the other. Once you have that then the simplest (but not really the best way) is to lowever the opacity of your eraser and gently erase the edge.

A better way is to use a mask from one of the adjustment layers and a gradient but you would been a little more experience to do that

Let me know if you want to try it and I will do some instructions ..

Wendy