The basic method: copy, paste, and layer one photo on top of the other

To merge two photos in Photoshop, open both images, then copy one entire image and paste it into the other as a new layer. The pasted image lands on top as a separate layer in your Layers panel, where you can move it, resize it, or blend it with the photo below. This is the foundation for every merge technique — whether you want a straightforward side-by-side composite, a fade between two images, or a more complex blend.

Start by opening your first photo in Photoshop. Go to File > Open and select the image. Then open your second photo the same way — it will open in a separate tab or window. Click on the second image to make it active, then select all of it by pressing Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac). Copy it with Ctrl+C or Command+C.

Now click back to your first image and paste the copied photo by pressing Ctrl+V or Command+V. Photoshop will paste it as a floating selection. To make it a proper layer you can work with, press Enter or click the new layer icon in the Layers panel. The pasted image is now a separate layer sitting on top of your original photo.

Key Takeaways

  • Copy one entire image with Ctrl+A and Ctrl+C, then paste it into another image with Ctrl+V to create a new layer.
  • Use the Move tool to position the pasted image, and the Free Transform tool (Ctrl+T) to resize or rotate it to fit your composition.
  • Adjust the opacity slider in the Layers panel to make the top layer transparent and blend it with the photo below.
  • Use layer masks to fade one image into another gradually, or use blend modes like Screen or Multiply to create specific visual effects.
  • Flatten the image when you are done by going to Image > Flatten Image, which merges all layers into a single layer before saving.

Positioning and sizing the pasted image

Once the second image is pasted as a layer, you need to position and size it to fit your composition. Select the Move tool from the toolbox (the cross with arrows), then click and drag the pasted image to move it where you want it. If the pasted image is larger or smaller than your canvas, use the Free Transform tool to resize it.

Press Ctrl+T (Windows) or Command+T (Mac) to set up Free Transform. A bounding box with handles appears around the pasted image. Drag the corner handles to resize it while keeping the proportions locked. Drag from outside the box to rotate it. When you are satisfied, press Enter to explore the transformation. If you need to move the image again after transforming it, the Move tool is still available.

Blending two images with opacity

The simplest way to merge two photos visually is to make the top layer partially transparent so both images show through. In the Layers panel on the right side of your screen, find the Opacity slider at the top. It starts at 100 percent. Drag it down to 50 percent, 30 percent, or whatever transparency level creates the blend you want.

At 50 percent opacity, both photos are equally visible and blend together. Lower opacity makes the top image fainter and lets more of the bottom image show through. This technique works well for creating ghosted effects, double exposures, or straightforward combining two related images so both are visible at once. You can adjust the opacity at any time by moving the slider again.

Using layer masks to fade one image into another

A layer mask lets you erase parts of the top layer gradually instead of all at once, so one image fades smoothly into the other. Right-click the top layer in the Layers panel and select Add Layer Mask. Choose White (Full Opacity) to start with the entire layer visible. A white rectangle appears next to the layer thumbnail, showing the mask is active.

Select the Gradient tool from the toolbox. In the tool options at the top, make sure the gradient is set to black to white (the default). Click and drag across the area where you want the fade to happen — drag from the part you want to keep visible toward the part you want to disappear. The black part of the gradient erases the layer, and the white part keeps it visible. The gray area in between creates the smooth fade.

If you make a mistake, you can paint on the mask with black to erase more or white to restore the layer. This method gives you precise control over exactly where and how sharply the two images blend together.

Using blend modes for specific effects

Blend modes change how the top layer interacts with the layer below, creating effects like Screen (which lightens), Multiply (which darkens), or Overlay (which increases contrast). These are useful when you want the two images to merge in a specific visual way rather than just fading one into the other.

In the Layers panel, find the dropdown menu that says Normal at the top left. Click it to see all available blend modes. Screen mode makes the top image lighter and works well for combining a bright photo with a darker one. Multiply mode darkens the top image and is useful for layering textures or shadows. Overlay combines both effects for a more dramatic blend. Experiment with different modes and adjust the opacity of the top layer to fine-tune the result.

Flattening and saving your merged image

When you are happy with how your two photos are merged, flatten the image to combine all layers into one before saving. Go to Image > Flatten Image. This merges every layer into a single layer, which is necessary if you want to save the file as a JPG or PNG (formats that do not support layers). If you save as a PSD file, Photoshop's native format, your layers stay separate and you can edit them later.

After flattening, go to File > Export As to save your merged image. Choose your format (JPG for photos, PNG if you need transparency), name the file, and click Export. A dialog box appears with quality settings — for JPG, a quality setting of 8 or 9 out of 12 gives you good quality without a huge file size.

Common problems and how to fix them

If the pasted image does not appear, check that the layer is not hidden. In the Layers panel, look for an eye icon next to each layer — if the eye is missing, click where it should be to make the layer visible. If the pasted image is much larger than your canvas and you cannot see it, press Ctrl+0 (Windows) or Command+0 (Mac) to fit the entire image in the window, then use Free Transform to resize it.

If the colors or brightness of the two images look very different, you can adjust the top layer before blending. With the top layer selected, go to Image > Adjustments and choose Levels, Curves, or Hue/Saturation to match the tone and color of the bottom image. Make these adjustments before lowering the opacity or explore a blend mode, so the merge looks natural.

If you want to undo a blend mode or opacity change, straightforward change the blend mode back to Normal or reset the opacity to 100 percent. Layer masks can be deleted by right-clicking the mask and selecting Delete Layer Mask, which removes the mask but keeps the layer intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge photos that are different sizes?

Yes. Photoshop will paste the smaller image into the larger canvas, or paste a larger image into a smaller canvas. Use Free Transform (Ctrl+T) to resize the pasted image to fit. If you want both images to be the same size before merging, go to Image > Canvas Size on the first image and make it larger, then paste the second image into the extra space.

What is the difference between opacity and a layer mask?

Opacity makes the entire layer transparent evenly — the whole top image fades. A layer mask lets you erase different parts of the layer by different amounts, so you can fade one image into another gradually in one area while keeping it fully visible in another. Masks give you more control over exactly where the blend happens.

Do I have to flatten the image before saving?

Only if you are saving as JPG or PNG. These formats do not support layers, so Photoshop flattens automatically when you export. If you save as PSD, your layers stay separate and you can edit them later. Always save a PSD version before flattening if you think you might want to adjust the merge later.

Can I merge more than two photos at once?

Yes. Open all the photos you want to merge, copy and paste each one into your main image as a separate layer, then position and blend them the same way. Each pasted image becomes its own layer in the Layers panel, and you can adjust them independently before flattening.

What blend mode should I use for a double exposure effect?

Screen mode is the most common choice for double exposures because it lightens the image and creates a dreamy, ethereal look. Paste your second image as a layer, set the blend mode to Screen, and adjust the opacity until the effect looks right. You may also need to adjust the brightness or contrast of the top layer to match the bottom image.