How to Fade One Photo to Another in Photoshop

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-31 09:30

Blending photos is one of the things that can be done in Adobe Photoshop. You can do this by stacking two photos and adjusting the gradient or opacity of the photo. You have to merge the two photos onto different layers in the same file, add a layer mask, then make adjustments with the “Gradient Tool”. Adjust the opacity in the same way. Don't forget to double-check the existing layers to make sure the changes have been made to your liking.

Step

Method 1 of 2: Using the “Gradient Tool”

Step 1. Open a photo in Photoshop

Select “Open” from the “File” menu and find the first photo you want to use as a base.

Step 2. Open the “Layer” menu and select “Add New Layer”

This menu is located at the top of the menu bar. The layer system allows you to edit photos without changing the basic photo.

Step 3. Insert the second photo into a new layer

Select “Place” from the “File” menu and locate the second photo that you want to blend into the first photo.

Step 4. Click-and-drag the photo to adjust its position

Place the edges of the photo next to each other, where the blend will be created.

The basic photo, which is on the “Background Layer”, cannot be moved. If one of your photos is set as a “Background Layer”, press alt=""Image" (Windows) or Option (Mac) and then double-click "Background Layer" in the "Layer Palette" (it's on the bottom-right by default).) to convert it to a normal layer.</h3" />

Step 5. Select the layer you want to fade from the “Layer Palette”

The “Layer Palette” window displays all the existing layers, and they are located at the bottom-right by default.

Step 6. Click “Add Layer Mask”

This button icon is a circle in a box and is located at the bottom of the toolbar in the “Layer Palette”. A thumbnail (thumbnail) of the mask will appear next to the corresponding layer.

Step 7. Click the thumbnail to select the layer mask

The thumbnail will be highlighted, indicating that the layer mask is selected.

Step 8. Select the “Gradient Tool” from the “Tools Palette”

The “Gradient Tool” icon is a rectangle with two fading colors. By default, the “Tools Palette” is located on the left side of the screen.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut G to select the “Gradient Tool”

Step 9. Open the “Gradient Picker”

The “Gradient Picker” is located in the upper-left corner of the top toolbar, which will appear after you select the “Gradient Tool”. The menu will display several gradients for you to choose from.

Step 10. Choose a black to white gradient

The black-to-white gradient is third from the left, in the top row of the “Gradient Picker”.

Other gradients can also be used (using color, for example), but a black to white gradient is best suited for a standard fade effect

Step 11. Click-and-drag from a point on the photo, where you want the fade effect to begin

• Before applying the gradient, double-check that the layer mask is selected. Otherwise, the fade effect will not work well.
• Press-and-hold the key Shift to force the cursor to move on a parallel line.

Step 12. Release the cursor where the fade effect should end

Once the cursor is released, the fade effect will appear on the photo.

If you want to undo the gradient and try again, just press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac)

Method 2 of 2: Adjusting the “Opacity”

Step 1. Open the photo in Photoshop

Select “Open” from the “File” menu and find the first photo you want to use as a base.

Step 2. Open the “Layer” menu and select “Add New Layer”

This menu is located at the top of the menu bar. The layer system allows you to edit photos without changing the basic photo.

Step 3. Insert the second photo into a new layer

Select “Place” from the “File” menu and locate the second photo that you want to blend into the first photo.

Step 4. Select the layer you want to fade from the “Layer Palette”

The “Layer Palette” window displays all of your current layers and is located at the bottom-right by default.

Make sure the layer you want to fade is on top of the other photo. Just click-and-drag the layers on the “Layer Palette” to rearrange their order. Layers that are at the top of the list are above other photos

Step 5. Select the “Opacity” menu

This menu is at the top of the “Layer Palette”.

Step 6. Adjust the opacity to match your desired level of transparency

As you lower the opacity, the photo will become more transparent and the photo below will begin to show. “Opacity” 100% means the photo is completely opaque and 0% is fully transparent.