To layer two images in Photoshop, place both files into one document, stack them as layers, then position, mask, and blend as needed.
Ready to combine two photos cleanly and fast? This guide shows a straight path from opening files to a polished composite. You’ll get the exact tools, practical tips, and fixes for common hiccups, so you can move from scattered screenshots or camera shots to a tidy layered file. By the end, how to layer two images in photoshop will feel routine.
How to Layer Two Images in Photoshop: Fast Method
Start with two source files. Drag them into one canvas or paste one file into the other. Each image lands on its own layer. From there, you position, align, and blend. The steps below keep the process tidy and non-destructive.
Step 1: Bring Both Images Into One Document
Open the first image. Now add the second image to the same file. Use File > Place Embedded for a Smart Object, or drag the second image from your desktop into the canvas. You can also copy and paste from another open tab. Each route creates a new layer above the background.
Step 2: Convert To Smart Object Before Resizing
Smart Objects protect pixels during transforms. Right-click the top layer and choose Convert to Smart Object. Now scale with Ctrl+T (Windows) or Cmd+T (Mac). Hold Shift to constrain proportion. Press Enter to apply. You can double-click the Smart Object later to swap the source without rebuilding the layout.
Step 3: Arrange The Stack And Set The Scene
In the Layers panel, place the subject layer on top and the base layer underneath. Grab the Move tool (V) and position the subject. Nudge with arrow keys for fine moves. If the shots come from the same viewpoint, use Edit > Auto-Align Layers to snap them together.
Step 4: Blend With A Layer Mask
With the top layer selected, click the Add Layer Mask icon. Paint on the mask with black to hide parts of the top image and reveal what sits below. Paint with white to restore. Tap X to swap foreground colors. For a soft mix, add a black-to-white gradient on the mask.
Quick Reference Table: Core Layering Moves
Keep this cheat sheet near your Layers panel. It lists the most used actions when stacking two photos.
| Task | Menu/Tool | Shortcut/Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Add second image | File > Place Embedded | Drag-drop also works |
| Convert to Smart Object | Layer > Smart Objects > Convert | Preserves pixels |
| Free Transform | Edit > Free Transform | Ctrl+T / Cmd+T |
| Move layer | Move tool | V; Arrow keys to nudge |
| Auto-align pair | Edit > Auto-Align Layers | Use Auto or Reposition |
| Add layer mask | Layers panel button | Black hides; white reveals |
| Gradient blend | Gradient tool on mask | Black→White for soft mix |
| Change opacity | Opacity slider | Press number keys |
Layering Two Photos In Photoshop: Setup And Clean Edges
Good prep makes blending easier. Match canvas size, color space, and resolution. If one shot is a tiny phone snap and the other is a 42-megapixel RAW export, scale the smaller layer down in the layout rather than pushing the small file beyond its limit.
Match Size And Resolution
Go to Image > Image Size to check pixel dimensions and resolution. If the base photo is your reference, scale the top layer during Free Transform so edges stay crisp. Keep Resample on when changing pixel count; turn it off when you only adjust the ppi value for print planning.
Align Before You Mask
When both images share overlapping content, select both layers and run Edit > Auto-Align Layers. Choose Auto for most cases. Pick Reposition if you only need a simple shift without warping. This step saves time you’d spend chasing edges with a brush.
Mask Cleanly With Edges In Mind
Use a soft round brush around clouds, smoke, or hair. Switch to a harder brush for hard objects like signs or buildings. Zoom in, paint slowly around edges, and tap \ to view the red overlay of the mask so you can spot halos and gaps.
Blend Options That Sell The Composite
Opacity changes, blend modes, and targeted adjustments help two images sit naturally together. Stay subtle and stack effects only where they help the scene read as one shot.
Opacity And Fill
Lower the top layer’s opacity to reveal more of the base. Tap number keys while the Move tool is active. If you need strokes or styles to stay strong while the pixels fade, try reducing Fill instead of Opacity.
Blend Modes That Matter
With the subject layer selected, try Multiply to darken, Screen to lighten, or Overlay for contrast. Blend modes change how pixels interact without changing masks, so you can test looks quickly. If color casts clash, add a clipped Curves or Color Balance adjustment above the top layer.
Feather, Refine, And Soften
If an edge looks harsh, click the mask thumbnail and choose Properties. Raise Feather slightly or shift the mask edge by a fraction. A tiny blur can smooth seams without turning details mushy.
Non-Destructive Workflow Tips
Keep edits flexible so you can change your mind later. Stack with Smart Objects, adjustments, and masks. Group layers when scenes get busy.
Smart Objects For Safety
Smart Objects let you scale down and back up with less damage, apply filters that stay editable, and swap the source without rebuilding the mask. If performance dips, rasterize only when you’re sure the size is final.
Clipping Masks For Targeted Fixes
Create an adjustment layer—Curves, Hue/Saturation, or Color Lookup—then clip it to the top image with Alt+Click between the two layers. Now your color fix touches only the subject layer, not the base.
Keep Layers Organized
Rename layers, color-label main groups, and collapse finished sections. A tidy file saves time when you revisit a project or hand it to a teammate.
Pro Techniques For Tricky Subjects
Some pairs need extra care—handheld shots, different focal lengths, or flyaway hair. These moves help lock the composite.
Auto-Blend For Exposure And Focus Shifts
Select both layers, run Edit > Auto-Blend Layers, and choose Stack Images. Photoshop creates detailed masks that merge the best parts of each layer, handy for handheld brackets or mixed focus shots.
Selections That Respect Hair And Smoke
Use Select > Subject to get close, then click Select And Mask for Refine Edge. Paint along flyaways to recover thin detail, output to a layer mask, and clean the rest with a soft brush.
Match Light And Color
After the mask feels clean, nudge tones so both photos share a common light. A gentle Curves tweak or a Photo Filter warms or cools the subject. Add a low-opacity shadow with a soft brush on a new layer set to Multiply for grounding.
Export Without Surprises
When the composite looks right, save a layered master and export a copy. Keep options clear so web, print, or handoff files come out as expected.
Save Your Master
Use File > Save As and pick PSD or PSB for large canvases. Keep all layers and masks intact. This master is your safety net for later tweaks.
Export A Shareable Copy
Use File > Export > Export As for PNG or JPEG, or File > Save A Copy for older formats. Set the color profile to sRGB for web delivery. For print, export a TIFF or keep PSD and let the print shop guide color settings.
Quick Fixes: When Things Don’t Line Up
Here are fast remedies for problems that pop up while layering two images.
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Visible seam | Hard mask edge | Feather mask; paint with softer brush |
| Ghosting | Handheld shift | Run Auto-Align; nudge with arrows |
| Jagged edges | Upscaled small file | Resize less; sharpen lightly |
| Color clash | Mismatched white balance | Clip Color Balance or Curves |
| Blur mismatch | Different depth of field | Add slight blur to sharper layer |
| Muted subject | Opacity too low | Raise Opacity or use Fill |
| Banding in sky | Heavy gradients | Add noise 0.5–1% |
Where Official Help Backs These Steps
Adobe’s pages outline the building blocks used here. See layer basics for the core panel and stacking behavior, and learn precise masking moves from combine images with a layer mask. Skim those sections once; you’ll work faster next time.
How To Layer Two Images In Photoshop? | Practice Plan
Repetition cements the flow. Run this short drill three times with throwaway photos, and how to layer two images in photoshop will feel natural under pressure.
Ten-Minute Drill
Pick two images with similar viewpoints. Place both in one file, convert the top to a Smart Object, scale with Free Transform, run Auto-Align, add a mask, paint the blend, and export a JPEG. Then repeat with two mismatched shots to practice color and light tweaks.
Checklist Before You Hit Save
- Top layer sits where you want it.
- Masks are clean at 100% zoom.
- Blend mode and opacity suit the scene.
- Colors feel like one photo.
- Master PSD saved; delivery copy exported.