Layer mask is the powerful tool that enables you to open new possibilities that the traditional tools cannot do. When using a layer mask to create hidden parts of one image it may reveal parts of another image, you are now able to design new images that may get the viewer’s attention.
With the layer mask, you can create much more dramatic effects if you are creative since you are able to blend two or more images together with this technique. Imagine that you are having the photo of your favorite football player. To be photographed together with a famous player, may just be a dream for you. Layer mask will help you to realise your dream. You can combine your own photo with your favorite player’s photo together with the layer mask.
You can start to blend with a gradient on the mask. Then, touch it up with the brush that you can also find on the mask. When you are painting with the black on a white layer mask, the top image will be visible. But, if you are painting away too much, you can simply reverse the colours and paint with white. By setting the painting brush that responds to the pen pressure, you can now easily control about how much of the image that you want to reveal with each brush stroke. Here is how to blend two photos together with a layer mask.

1. Decide which two photographs that you want to blend. Click the move tool.
2. Click and drag the photo that you want to blend to the top of the photo that you want to be the base (to be the background).
3. Set the default colours and make sure the foreground colour is black.
4. Click the layer mask button. Click the gradient tool and select the gradient style that you want to use from the options bar.
5. Click the layer mask to select it. Then, click and drag in the image so that you can apply the gradient to your mask. The two images will blend together.
6. Click the brush tool. Select the large soft edge brush that you can find from the brush drop down palette.
7. Paint the image using black to touch up the mask to reveal more of the background photo.
8. Reverse the foreground and background colors. Paint with white to fill the areas that you have painted away too much on the base image.

Enjoy the sensation of using Layer mask to blend two photos!
M.A.H.

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