Combining photos

[Hughe]

While inserting a photo into another I size and move the small photo onto the base photo then erace protions of the top photo to let the bottom photo show through. When I erace too much, how do I correct the mistake? I used the clone tool to repair the spot but I believe there is a better command. I'm in PSE3 and Win XP PC. Thanks, Hughe ---Example at

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1OM9tvvQ1Llp1gpPMKqZmtvE9RdH

[Wendy]

Hi there ...

One of the problems with doing it that way is that its not really very flexible (as you have just found out). Probably a far better way of doing it is to use a layer mask. You can either use an adjustment layer to do that or use a mask from Grant's tools ... I really would suggest Grant's tools. Here is a link to where you can download those ... instruction on how to install them are also there:

http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/index.html

and here are some instructions on how to use Grant's layer mask ...

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4601

basically if you paint on it in Black then it masks out the image and you can no longer see it ... but if you mask out too much then you can switch to white and paint it back in again.

Hope this helps :)

Wendy
If you donlt want to install Grant's tools then here is a tutorial on how to use an adjustment layer as a maskl ... its replacing I sky but you should be able to see from that how it works:

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?p=69564

[Hughe]

Thanks for the suggestions Windy, I'll sort this out. First time I tried this. We were susposed to use a camera on a tripod with self timer but as you can see we did'nt!

[Daviskw]

Hi there

I'm a little confused, why don't you just select with a selection tool what you want then copy and paste into your base photo?

Or am I reading you wrong?

Butch

[Hughe]

Hi Butch, Thats about what I did but I had to clean up the edges to make the insert photo look like it was part of one picture. --Hugh--

[Daviskw]

Hi again Hughe

It is a common problem making cutouts match. Lighting, tone and of course fringe make it difficult. I have included some links to tutorials or discussions that may help. Depending where you are on the learning curve some may be a little complicated but reading them may still give you some ideas.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6689&highlight=defringe

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4949

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3421&highlight=fringe

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3948&highlight=selections

There are many more discussions of just your problem on the forum, you should run a search on the subject, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a few minutes of informative reading.

If you need some more help let us know, people here love to help.

Butch

[SCRAPPYGIRL]

Hughe,
What a great picture, don't forget to post the finished project.
What have those ladies got under their shirts - and don't you dare tell me its babies!!! Is that 3 generations?::cool:

[Daviskw]

Huge


I did not look at your pictures at first... good job...

Butch