How to Merge Two Photos Together Like in a Movie Poster

In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to merge two photos together to create a movie-like poster. Here’s the effect we will be creating:

You’ll need:

• Adobe Photoshop CS6
• Couple photo
• Boat photo

Step 1

Open the couple photo in Photoshop.

Now, open the boat photo.

 

With the Move Tool selected, drag the boat photo to the other picture’s tab and release the mouse button while holding Shift.

 

Step 2

Now, let’s resize the boat picture to fit the bottom half of the couple photo. Select Edit > Free Transform and drag the handles of the image while holding Shift to maintain proportions.

 

We will now move the image downwards by dragging it. Press Return (for Mac) / Enter (for Windows) when you are done.

 

Step 3

Let’s rename the background layer by holding down Option (for Mac) / Alt (for Windows) and double-clicking on the background layer in the Layers palette. This will rename the layer to Layer 0.

 

Step 4

We will now blend the two images together smoothly by using a layer mask. Select the boat layer and click on the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers palette.

 

Now, select the Gradient Tool and click on the gradient preview bar in the options bar.

 

Select the Black to White gradient.

 

Now, click near the top of the boat photo, hold Shift and drag a little bit downwards towards the boat.

 

 

Step 5

Next, merge both layers by pressing Shift+Command+Option+E (for Mac) / Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E (for Windows).

 

We will now blend the two images more seamlessly together by adding a little noise. Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and use the settings shown below. Keep the Amount of noise somewhere between 2 and 6, depending on your image.

 

Step 6

Now, let’s remove the original colors by adding a Black & White Adjustment Layer. In the Adjustments panel, click on the Black & White icon.

 

You can customize the adjustment layer by going to the Properties panel.

 

 

Step 7

We will now add some color by adding a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer. In the Adjustments panel, click on the Hue/Saturation icon.

 

In the Properties panel, be sure to check the Colorize option and choose a color according to your liking. I used the settings shown below.

 

Finally, change the layer blending mode of the Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer to Color.

 

And we’re done!