Tutorial: Beginner Collages in Photoshop (part 2)

(from April 8, 2004 collage chat. Click here for the chat transcript)

This is the second part of the beginner tutorial for creating a collage in Photoshop. This tutorial is a basic overview and only covers the use of the Apply Image function and Layer Masks. There are many ways to complete the steps outlined below, but I have tried to provide the basics steps that will get you started. Collage design is totally unique, and doesn’t have a “set” way of doing things. I am giving you this tutorial as a starting base, but you will want to play with the various settings to find a look that is right for you! Be creative and have fun!

APPLY IMAGE

APPLY IMAGE allows you to take photographs of the exact same size and merge them together to create unique designs. This sample was made with this feature and includes 3 photographs. This feature is great for making backgrounds and artistic designs. One of the greatest benefits to using this function is that uses a lot less disk space than any other methods you may use for this.

1. Open the photographs you would like to use and size them so that they are the EXACT same dimensions (this feature will not work if they are not the same size). Keep these photographs on separate canvases for now.
2. Make sure you have one of your photographs selected, (doesn’t matter which) and go to IMAGE>APPLY IMAGE.

3. With the dialog box open you will see SOURCE as the first option. If you click on the arrow for this option you will see a list of all open photographs that you can use for this function. This means that all the photographs have the exact same dimensions. So if you have three photographs open you should see three choices in this option, if you do not see al three listed, you need to resize one image.
As you can see in this picture I have 2 photos open in the background and 2 photos showing in the source box so both of these photos are ok to use.

4. In the source box choose a photo you would like to apply to the image you have selected, you can even use the same image if you would like and add a blending mode to really make something cool!
5. Scroll through the blending modes to get a look you like. You can also play with the opacity too.
6. When you are happy with the way this looks you can back to the source box and apply another image and repeat the process. You can add as many layers as you would like.
7. When you are happy with the results you can save the image.

This is a great “fun” tool, so go ahead and experiment. Try changing which photo you select first, change blending modes and opacity, add more layers, and have fun!!!!

LAYER MASKS

Last week we learned how to use “quick masks” and the lasso tool to create a soft edge photo to use in collages. This week we will learn a more efficient and accurate way with layer masks. A layer mask is basically a layer that is placed over your selected photo that allows you to make changes to the photo, without actually affecting it. So if you are not happy with the results you can delete the mask from your layer and your image goes untouched. There are several uses for layer masks, but we will only use them this week for the purpose of blending photos

1. Create a new layout in the size you would like your collage to be and fill the background in with white.
2. Open all the photographs you would like to use in your collage and copy/paste them into your new layout.
3. Resize and arrange them close to how you would like to see them in your final design.
(For my sample I have used 3 images as seen in the following image)

4. In your layers palette select the 1st photo you would like to begin your collage effect on, this is the first layer you will place a mask on. Use the add layer mask icon on the bottom of your layers palette as shown in the sample screen shot below

5. Make sure you have the mask selected in the layers palette and not your photo. (You should see a small white outline of the layer mask icon showing it is selected)

6. Set your foreground color to black and your background to white. Black will erase portions of the photo you have the mask on and white will restore any portions you may have erased.

7. Choose a brush that you feel comfortable with. I usually choose a standard round brush with a diameter of about 250 to start and a hardness of 0. Sometimes I will use the airbrush also for an even softer effect. The bigger the brush the softer the blend. You will have to experiment here to get a feel for what works for you.

8. Again, make sure your mask is selected and begin to brush out the areas of the photograph you would like to remove to create a soft edge. In my sample I have brushed away the area around the feet image, you can see on the mask icon in the layers palette exactly what I have taken away from the image. If you accidentally erase more than you would have liked, change your foreground color to white and brush over the area you would like to bring back, you will also see this change on the mask icon.

9. You will repeat the above steps on all your images to get the collage look. Here is my sample after blending all three photos together. You can move the photos and keep editing your mask until you get the exact look you want. For my sample I have enlarged the center photo and rotated the hand image just a bit, and then used the masks again to blend them a bit better and here is my result:

10. Once you are happy with your results go ahead and save your project!
11. At this point is where I get creative by adding textures and playing with colors and filters. For this sample I changed the background color, added a stroke, added a couple of flower brushes and added a texture to my background layer.

You should now have enough information to create some wonderful collage style layouts. Do not be afraid to experiment with the different tools and functions above, that is the best way to learn your program. Some of my best designs come from “accidents” from my experimentation!

For a printable version of this Quick Class, click here