When I was first learning how to use Photoshop Elements, one of the things I *really* wanted to know was how to make a collaged image; that is, one image made up of a combination of two or three images that were all blended together and looking lovely. It was difficult to find a collage tutorial that showed exactly what I wanted to do but I managed to piece together the process from various different tutorials I found on the internet, and once you know how, it’s amazingly easy to do. Blending modes and a layer mask are the key to making a nice digital collage.
This tutorial is for Photoshop Elements 6 but the steps are probably similar in other versions.
First of all you’ll need three images. For this tutorial I used the following free images so download them and follow along with me. Always remember that even when using *free* images, they might still have some sort of copyright attached, so please read the copyright fine print that tells you exactly how the images can be used.
1: Download the images
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Download rust texture from Image After |
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Download text from Morguefile.com |
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Download rose from Morguefile.com |
2: Resize the Images
Once you’ve downloaded the images, open them up in Photoshop Elements and resize them all to the same size and resolution. I resized mine to 1500px x 1000px x 300ppi.
Tip:
For viewing online, the resolution can be low – 72ppi.
For printing on fabric you want the resolution to be quite high so the detail shows – I generally use 300ppi.
3: Make an new background for your collage
From the main menu click:
File
New
Blank File
Enter: Width – 1500px, Height – 1000px, Resolution – 300ppi
Background contents - White
Click OK
Tip:
To arrange your images on the screen so you can see them all easily, from the Main Menu select
Windows
Images
Tile
You can now see clearly each image.
4: add the rust image
Copy and paste, or simply drag, the rust image onto the collage background. The rust layer should be above the background layer.
Click on the rust layer in the layers panel, and from the layers drop down box select the difference blend mode. This changes the colors.
5: add the text image
Copy and paste, or drag, the text image onto the collage background. The text layer should be above the rust layer.
Click on the text layer in the layers panel, and from the layers drop down box select the overlay blend mode. This allows the text to be visible but makes the background on the text image transparent allowing the underlying background to show through.
Reduce the opacity to 30%.
6: create a new Levels adjustment layer
Click the Create Adjustment Layer button and select Levels.
Make no changes and click OK. You’ll see that the adjustment layer contains a layer mask filled with white. This should be positioned above the text layer. We’ll use this layer mask later.
7: add the Rose image
Copy and paste, or drag, the rose image onto the collage background. The rose layer should be above the levels adjustments layer.
8: create a clipping group
With the rose layer selected press Ctrl+G on your keyboard. This creates a clipping group with the Levels adjustment layer.
9: add a gradient mask
To allow the background to show through in only part of the image, you will need to add a gradient mask to the layer mask on the Levels adjustment layer.
Select the mask on the Levels adjustment layer.
Select the Gradient tool and choose the Black to White gradient in the Gradient Picker.
On your collage image, with the layer mask highlighted, drag the gradient from right to left, starting at the far right edge and ending around the beginning of the flower petals.
Voila! The partial background is revealed and you now have a beautiful digital collage.
Tip:
Play around with all the settings to vary colors, transparencies and blending modes.
Be sure to leave a comment if you enjoyed this tutorial.
21 Thoughtful Comments. Add Yours
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Linda, thanks so much for sharing your technique of this tutorial. I haven’t worked it just yet but I do plan to in the near future. I was unable to get the text from Morguefile.com – looks like another item was placed in that link, but I hope to find something to take its place. Thanks again – I look forward to “playing” with this.
Carol
Thanks Carol, I updated the link so you should now be able to download the correct image (I think I put the wrong link there in the first place so apologies). Enjoy!
Linda
Linda, thank you so much for these instructions. I can’t wait to give this a try. I have been playing with digital collage and I know this is going to make my images much better.
.-= Donna´s last blog ..Shoes to Die For =-.
Thanks Donna, it’s real easy once you’ve done it a couple of times.
Linda
Linda, you are a genius! I didn’t think I could do this because I only have Photoshop Elements 2.0 AND I have a Mac (and I know next to nothing about Photoshop Elements). But, with a little adjusting, I got it to work. Thank you, thank you!
Thanks Jeanne, I’m glad you figured it out
Linda
Thanks, Linda. I have downloaded the images and will come back after I have read the instructions and played around. I’ll be back to let you know what I have learned! This is exciting and I have been afraid to even push buttons in my Photo Shop. This will help me overcome my intimidation. Thanks for the “push”.
Diana Bracy
http://www.dianabracy.com
Thanks Diana, yes Photoshop (even PS Elements) can be quite intimidating, but once you get into it, it’s really quite fun!
Linda
Hi Linda, such a fabulous tutorial. I am such a newbie at this and do find photoshop daunting, but with your great tutorial and a little help from my very literate computerish DH was able to do it. Such a thrill to achieve something so beautiful.
Thank you so much for making it.
Judith
Thanks Judith, I’m glad you managed to work your way through it. It’s not so difficult after you do it a time or two and it’s such fun
Linda
I LOVE this tutorial, well written and easy to follow
.-= Cindy bettinger´s last blog .. =-.
Thanks very much. You did an excellent job and it was very clear. I tried doing this the other day and quit in frustration!! Thanks again.
Thanks Cindy and Becky
Linda
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge. I’m just learning how to use PSE9 and I’m so excited to try these new things. Thank You!!
Hi Linda!
Great tutorial. However, it’s not working for me
When I get to the very last step (dragging the image over to reveal the background) it’s does nothing. Am I missing something?
Hi Michelle, You need to make sure that your image is set on a layer and not as a background. When it’s set as a background you won’t be able to move it. Other than that, I’m not sure.
Figuring out how to “Blend” has been a nightmare for me…..thank you for this tut. I don’t think I would have figured it out without this tutorial. Thanks for ALL you tutorials. They are such a big help to many people. Your the best!
“When I was first learning how to use Photoshop Elements, one of the things I *really* wanted to know was how to make a collaged image; that is, one image made up of a combination of two or three images that were all blended together and looking lovely. It was difficult to find a collage tutorial that showed exactly what I wanted to do….”
That was PRECISELY my predicament–until I just now discovered your tutorial via the PET website.
Now, after spending in toto DOZENS of hous trying to THOROUGHLY understand the method, I can say at last that I do.
Thank you!
Edit:
“Now, after spending [prior to your tutorial] in toto DOZENS of hours trying to THOROUGHLY understand the method, I can say at last that I do [and it took only a few minutes to learn].]”
P.S. I am a woman trapped in a man’s body. Does that quality me to join Creative Explorers? Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Hi George, I’m glad you found the tutorial helpful. Sorry, but the Creative Explorers Club is only for women at this time. I might review it at a later date.
Thank you so much for this. Very helpful!