Combine Two Photos Seamlessly in Photoshop (Beginner Composite)
This beginner-friendly composite shows how to place a subject from one photo into another and make it look like it belongs. You’ll select and refine the subject, blend edges, match color, create a shadow, and tie everything together with a subtle color overlay.
Step-by-step instructions
Place the larger image into the smaller document
Check image sizes (see the status bar or Window → Document Info).
Select the Move Tool (V), drag the larger image into the smaller document tab, hover until it opens, move to the center, hold Shift, then release to center it.
Resize and position the subject
Select the subject layer.
Go to Edit → Free Transform (Ctrl/Cmd+T).
Scale proportionally; hold Shift if needed and Alt/Option to scale from the center; position and press Enter/Return.
Select the subject
Choose the Object Selection Tool or Quick Selection Tool.
Click Select Subject in the options bar to auto-select the subject.
Refine edges and hair
Go to Select → Select and Mask.
Use the Refine Edge Brush Tool around hair/fur for better edge detail.
Set Radius to 1 px and enable Decontaminate Colors.
Set Output to Layer Mask (default) and click OK.
Blend the feet into the ground
Click the layer mask thumbnail to target it.
Choose the Brush Tool (B), set Foreground to black.
Paint softly around the feet so they sink into the grass/ground.
Match the subject’s color to the background
Click the subject layer thumbnail (not the mask).
Go to Image → Adjustments → Match Color.
Set Source to the current document and Layer to Background; adjust Fade until the colors match; click OK.
Create a base shadow
With the subject layer active, go to Layer → Layer Style → Drop Shadow.
Set Opacity 100%, Distance 0, Spread 0, Size 0; click OK.
In Layers, right-click Effects and choose Create Layer to separate the shadow.
Position and angle the shadow
Select the new shadow layer.
Go to Edit → Free Transform (Ctrl/Cmd+T), right-click inside the transform box and choose Flip Vertical.
Use Skew to match the scene’s shadow direction; position under the feet; press Enter/Return.
Soften and blend the shadow
Go to Filter → Blur → Gaussian Blur; set Radius to about 14.8 px; click OK.
Lower the shadow layer’s Opacity until it blends naturally.
Unify the overall color tone
Go to Layer → New Fill Layer → Solid Color and choose a warm tone.
Set the fill layer’s blend mode to Color.
Lower Opacity to taste to subtly tie layers together.
