Photoshop is essential software for creative photographers. However, learning how to make the most of digital editing software takes time. Attempting techniques like photo merging is a great way to start your journey. 

How Do You Merge Two Photos in Photoshop? 

There are several ways to perform the same task in Photoshop, and this is most noticeable when merging photos. The method we will show you involves using the Quick Select Tool and Masking techniques. 

You can also drop the image straight into your final photo and use Layer Masks to erase the sections you do not want. This is ideal if you want to change very specific features as it gives you more control. It takes much more care and attention to detail, which is a much longer process. 

We will cover both techniques so you can understand how Photoshop works. Each technique has its strengths and you can use the different techniques depending on the edit you want to make. 

Merge Two Photos In Photoshop Using The Quick Select

The Quick Select method is best for removing a subject from an image. This means it is best for moving people, faces, or animals into another image. 

You can create a selection of your subject quickly with a fair amount of accuracy. 

Step 1 – Select the Images You Want to Blend 

The trickiest part about performing a successful photo merge in Photoshop is picking images that will go together. You can force images together, but some elements won’t work. This depends on the focal length, the lighting, and even the quality of each image. 

Ideally, you want to pick two clear images. If you are performing a face swap, or want to edit someones eyes as they were blinking in one of the photos, you will have to ensure the models are facing in the same direction. 

Thankfully, Photoshop allows us to perform tonal, color, and other corrections. So, even if the color temperature doesn’t match, we can fix this in Photoshop. We will show you how to do this later. 

For this edit, we will put our friend stuck in an airport in a holiday location. 

Step 2 – Open Up Your Images In Photoshop 

Once you have selected your images you can open them in Photoshop.

For this technique, make sure the images are not in the same edit, as we will drop the cut out image into our background later on in this process. 

Step 3 – Cut Out Your Subject

Now, we want to remove our subject from its current background. 

First, duplicate the background. You can do this by dragging your background layer over the New Layer icon at the bottom (‘+’ inside a box).

Now, find the Quick Selection Tool. 

With the Quick Selection Tool selected, you can start to brush inside your subject. You will see a dotted line start to form. You want this dotted line to go around your subject as accurately as possible. 

You can always choose the Subtract From Selection brush in the top left if your line goes outside your subject. This allows you to brush out the areas that you do not want. You can switch between these brushes at any time. 

Once you have your selection we will inverse it. You can do this by pressing Cmd + Shift + I (Ctrl + Shift + I on Windows). You will know this is done when the dotted line will not only be around your subject, but also the frame of your whole image. 

Now press backspace to delete the background. You will see in the Layers panel that the top layer doesn’t have a background. 

Step 4 – Place Your Selection Into Your New Photo 

Now we want to drag our subject layer into next photo. If both images are in tabs then hold the layer above the new tab to change the current image show in Photoshop.

You can also drag the image out of Photoshop to make it easier to drop in your selected layer. 

Once your layer is in the new photo, you can make initial size adjustments using Cmd + T (Ctrl + T for Windows). 

Step 5 – Performing Convincing Edits 

Now we want to perform some adjustments to our subject so that it matches our new image better. The most common inconsistency is the color temperature. We want to create a layer mask to ensure only our new layer is edited, not the entire photo. 

First, select your new layer with the transparent background. Then, grab the Quick Selection Tool. You can quickly brush inside to select the entire layer, as the selection is limited to that layer. From here, you can choose any adjustment, and it will apply a layer mask to the edit. 

I suggest using the color temperature adjustment to match the colors. You can also perform tonal adjustments if you want. 

If you want to perform tonal adjustments using the brush, I would recommend using the Dodge and Burn tools. These are great for adjusting shadows that may make the image unconvincing. 

Make sure you set the Exposure low so the adjustment is subtle. You can keep brushing in the exposure until it looks convincing. 

Merge Two Photos in Photoshop Using A Layer Mask 

We will now tell you how to merge two photos in Photoshop using a Layer Mask. 

This method is best for picking out smaller elements from a subject. It is also a good alternative if the Quick Selection Tool produces inaccurate results. 

Step 1 – Open Your Images In Photoshop 

Once you have selected your images you will want to open them in Photoshop. 

The Layer Mask technique differs as you will drop your subject photo into your background photo directly. You can do this by dragging the photo from a folder onto the background image open in Photoshop. 

Upon dropping your image, you can make preliminary size adjustments.

Step 2 – Create A Layer Mask 

Select the image you want to edit in the layer panel. To create a layer mask click the rectangle with a circle inside at the bottom of the layer panel. 

Now, grab the Brush tool. Make sure you are painting in black. You can check by looking at the bottom of your toolbar to the left. Click the arrows in a right angle to swap between white and black. 

With the white blank Layer Mask selected, you can use the brush to remove all the unwanted elements. 

Remember, you can zoom in as close as you like and use a tiny brush to get the most accurate results. 

Step 3 – Performing Convincing Edits

Now, you can follow the same process as Step 5 above to fine-tune your edit. Although, the Quick Selection Tool will not automatically snap to your selection. 

Conclusion: Merge Two Photos in Photoshop 

Merging two photos in Photoshop is easy and should be something you become familiar with. There are more techniques to merge two photos in Photoshop but these are the most common and easiest. 

Once you have become familiar with this technique, you can merge more photos together. Eventually, you will be able to perform convincing Photoshop composites with ease.

So are robots taking over the illustration business? This Jasper Art review answers that question. We’re impressed with the AI-generated images. But Jasper Art isn’t without its limitations.

We take you through Jasper Art in detail. We show you how to generate images. And we show you the results. This updated review looks at Jasper’s abilities with photorealistic images. And you’ll know if Jasper Art is the solution for you.

We Highly Recommend

Jasper Art

Discover an innovative software that uses AI to create stunning images from basic words and phrases. Appreciate the ease and speed of generating content with Jasper Art.

What Is Jasper Art?

Jasper Art is an AI image generator. That means it uses artificial intelligence to generate images. You insert a few keywords and phases. And the Jasper Art bot uses these prompts to create amazing images.

Many readers might be familiar with Jasper AI, the writing assistant. That program uses artificial intelligence to write text. It’s for blogs, websites, and marketing materials. Jasper Art is the artistic sibling of Jasper AI. It’s an AI bot that creates images rather than text.

Jasper Art can take a few words and modifiers to create stunning images. We go into more detail about how to use the program below. But Jasper Art can imitate different artistic styles. And it can copy the style of specific artists.

You can set a mood, and you can select the medium type. You can select acrylic, charcoal, or watercolor. It can even create realistic photo-like images. But as we’ll see, the results are not perfect.

Who Should Use Jasper Art?

Jasper Art is for people who need unique content and need it quickly.

In the world of online commerce, content is king. You need content that attracts attention to sell products or promote brands. And good images are key to beating the competition.

There are excellent websites that provide good-quality stock images. But the online marketplace is so competitive. And other content creators use the same sites to source their images.

This means you lose points for originality by using the same images. And that could affect your SEO score and Google ranking. But you don’t have to rely on the same old stock photos with Jasper AI.

Jasper Art gives you unique images to use for original content. You can generate AI art from any keywords. This means you can create something no one else has.

Plus, you can tailor each generated image to match your content. And because there are so many variables, your competitors will unlikely generate the same thing.

Jasper Art isn’t free. But it’s not expensive if you’re a single user. The paywall might put off casual creators with a slim budget. But for more well-established users, it offers good value for money.

Jasper Art Features

Jasper Art is a single-purpose program. It uses AI to generate images from text prompts. That’s the main feature. But Jasper Art has two modes from which you can generate images:

• Free Form Mode: This lets you type your own words for more specific and unique images.
• Templates: You select specific genres or art styles and generate images within that field using keywords.

We’ll take you through both modes in the following sections.

The Interface

Jasper Art has an easy-to-use interface. It isn’t a big program, so there’s no danger of getting lost. Everything is laid out well, and the tools are easy to find.

As mentioned, there are two modes you can use to generate AI art—Free Form and Templates. All options are in the Free Form mode drop-down menus. And it has a text box for typing prompts.

When you click Create, Jasper gives you four AI images. You can enlarge them individually for a better look and copy or download them.

If you don’t like the results, you can click Create again. And it loads four new images!

You also have options to like or dislike the results. This gives the program feedback. Plus, you can flag images if anything inappropriate is generated.

Jasper Art is quick at generating images. After you click Create, you get four eye-catching images in just a few seconds!

Free Form Mode

Free Form mode gives you the most options when generating images. And it is the easiest way to generate AI art with Jasper.

Jasper Art gives you a 400-character limit in the text box. But it’s more than you need in most cases. And we’ve found it’s best to keep it simple (more on this later).

You start with a basic image description. This can be anything from “apples in a bowl” to “Brad Pitt holding a monkey.” Be specific with your description and type in specific people, animals, or objects.

Using group nouns is also okay. If you type in “fruit,” it gives you a selection of fruit. You don’t need to type “apples, oranges, kiwis,” etc.

You can also use famous characters and celebrities as your subject. As suggested, famous actors are no problem for Jasper Art. Jasper uses AI technology to create images that resemble that person.

Of course, stick to well-known actors and public figures. It won’t know an actor who appeared in a 1989 episode of Murder, She Wrote.

You can see Jasper Art’s rendition of “Brad Pitt holding a monkey” below. It’s in a cartoon style, but the likeness is striking. There’s no denying it looks like Brad Pitt.

Style and Medium

Free Form mode gives you more prompts for creating images. The next input is Style. You’re given a drop-down list of style options to choose from.

When we originally reviewed this AI software in 2022, the style drop-down gave you 13 options. But now you only have six styles to choose from.

The six remaining styles are Abstract, Anime, Art Deco, Digital, Pop Art, and Surrealism. Other styles like 3D Render and Retro have been removed, which is disappointing.

Another user input option in Jasper Art is Medium. And since 2022, the total number of media to choose from has decreased from 15 to seven.

You can choose from Acrylic, Collage, Ink, Mixed Media, Oil Paint, Photography, and Watercolor. You no longer have Charcoal, Crayon, Classic Oil, or pencil sketch.

Inspiration

Inspiration is your next set of options in Jasper Art. You can choose the style of six famous artists, and the AI bot will generate images in that artist’s style.

Originally, you had eight artists to choose from. But you only have six in the current program. They are Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Norman Rockwell, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Vincent Van Gogh. 

The two removed Inspirations were South Park and Pixar. Neither are specific artists, which might be why they were removed.

We have two images generated by Jasper Art below. They are both portraits of Princess Diana with the medium set to acrylics.

The Jasper Art image on the left has been generated with the Inspiration set to Picasso. The right image has Dali as an influence. They’re both distinct and have traits of the named artists.

Image generation like this is fascinating. But I’m not sure either artist would put their name on these pictures.

Mood and Keywords

This AI art generator lets you select a mood for the images. But again, the number of moods on the list has been reduced.

When we last tested the program, you had a list of 19 moods. Now you only have a selection of six moods. That’s a drastic drop-off!

The moods you’re left with are Calm, Exciting, Fun, Gloomy, Happy, and Whimsical. Moods like Aggressive, Energetic, and Dull are no longer there.

The other drop-down list lets you choose keywords. Jasper AI gives you 12 keywords to help you get the image you need. And this has increased from the nine available keywords in our first review.

Keywords are 8K Resolution, Ambien Light, Black & White, Close-Up, Flat Lighting, Full-Face Portrait, Global Illumination, High Resolution, Highly Detailed, Masterpiece, Photorealistic, and Realistic.

Combining an “Ink” medium with the keyword “Realistic” gives you an impressive AI image. Our ink portrait of George Foreman generated by Jasper Art is below.

The likeness isn’t perfect. And it still looks like a digital image. But the effect is impressive.

It has also created some unusual objects on either side of his face. They are perhaps meant to be boxing gloves. But adding strange touches like this is something Jasper Art is prone to do.

Free Form Mode Tips

The AI image generator gives five input options besides the main image description. But you don’t have to fill every box. You can leave some as “none.”

We found less is more when using prompts in Free Form Mode. So we encourage making a few selections and leaving a few as “none.”

The more information you give Jasper Art, the less you get back from the AI tool. If you fill every box, the results are more confusing and less distinct. There’s too much information, and the AI image generation tool can’t handle it.

We gave Jasper Art something simple with a “rat on a boat” description. But we overloaded the program with style, medium, and mood.

The results (below) look good. But Jasper hasn’t exactly followed all the instructions. So it’s best to keep it simple.

Using the Prompt Box

The prompt is often the key to getting exactly what you want from Jasper. As many users say about AI programs, the results are only as good as your prompt.

As we said, Jasper Art’s prompt box has a limit of 400 characters. You can’t write an essay there. But you can give the bot detailed instructions. But, of course, you need to be concise and specific. 

It’s best if you start with a specific subject. It can be an object, animal, famous person, or character.

You’re then free to type other words that indicate the style of picture your want. You can type artists that aren’t featured in the Inspiration.

You can test Jasper’s art knowledge by referencing Joaquin Sorolla or David Hockney. We look at this in more detail below.

We started with something simple. Our input was “sad dog, acrylic, energetic.” You can see the AI-generated art below. We have four nice results, although I’m unsure how “sad” option four is.

Template Mode

In Template mode, Jasper Art gives you a list of 10 templates to choose from.

The templates are Food Photography, Ink Art, News Graphics, Product Close-Ups, Realistic Animals, Realistic Person, Stock Photography, Storybook Illustration, Travel Photography, and Wallpaper.

You’re given a prompt box when you select the template you want to use. It’s the same prompt box from Free Form Mode with a 400-character limit.

Only here, you don’t have the drop-down options. All your input has to come from the text box. 

Template mode is simple to use. But we found it unreliable.

On many occasions, the AI bot wouldn’t generate any images. It would give us an error message to say it hit a snag. We never had this trouble in Free Form mode. 

Successes and Shortcomings of Jasper Art

When you first use Jasper Art, there’s no denying it’s impressive. With just a few words and prompts, it turns text into images. And when you stick to the basic inputs, the results are very good.

But Jasper Art doesn’t always hit the mark. We’ve already seen a few examples of strange and inaccurate occurrences. But now we’ll look at Jasper’s shortcomings and limitations in more detail. 

Limited Knowledge of Artists’ Styles

As we’ve seen, you can produce images in the style of six artists using the Inspiration drop-down box. First, Jasper has already reduced the inspirations from eight to six.

But we also found limited art knowledge when you use the text box. We put Jasper’s art knowledge to the test by adding artists’ names to the prompt box. And we had mixed success. 

Would Jasper Art generate an image in the style of Russian expressionist Wassily Kandinsky? The AI-generated art below does resemble the work of Kandinsky.

The comparison shows Kandinsky’s work on the left and Jasper’s on the right. The style doesn’t match exactly. But there are definite similarities.

Jasper Art may have missed a few robot art classes, though. We gave it “dog in park, Goya, sad.” The AI image generator gave us four pictures. But they don’t resemble the work of Francisco Goya.

And when we entered “child on the beach, Sorolla,” Jasper couldn’t produce anything. So Jasper Art isn’t an artist imitation app.

Plus, most Jasper Art users don’t want to generate images that look like the work of Goya or Sorolla. People want an AI image generator to produce picture content on any topic. But does it deliver?

Photorealistic Images

Illustrations and artist-inspired works are what some content creators are looking for. But most media producers are looking for high-quality, true-to-life, photorealistic images. Is Jasper Art up to the task?

We have to say Jasper Art’s attempts at photorealism are hit-and-miss. We’ve often been taken aback by the results at first glance. But even after a quick investigation, excitement is replaced by concern.

Objects and Scenes

The best photorealistic results are requests for inanimate objects or lifeless scenes. The fruit bowl below is a good example. We typed “fruit bowl in a country kitchen” with the keyword “photorealistic.”

You know exactly what you’re looking at. And you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a genuine photo—at least at first glance.

Jasper Art’s soft focus effect is the first indication that it’s an AI-generated image. A shallow depth of field is a common tool in photography.

But even in the focused areas, there’s a soft, dreamy texture. Even so, this image wouldn’t look out of place on a food blog.

Animals

When it comes to realistic animals, Jasper Art also does a decent job. At least it does a decent job sometimes. 

With the prompt “cat next to a window,” the medium set to “Photography,” and the keyword set to “Photorealistic,” we generated the image below.

It’s not half bad. The cat looks like a cat. And you even get good texture and detail on the fur.

The polished wooden floor looks excellent too. You could post this on social media, and many would not realize it wasn’t a real photo.

But as with the fruit bowl, we have the image’s soft-focus finish. Everything is slightly fuzzy and soft. And that’s a real tell that this is an AI-generated image.

The other tell is the cat’s left eye. This isn’t well rendered at all. And the eyes, as we’ll see in the next section, are a problem with Jasper Art images.

Jasper Art isn’t always so successful in generating true-to-life animals. As you can see with the monkey images below, they all have an undeniable digital AI quality.

The detail is incredible. But each image looks thoroughly artificial. And that’s even after we used the “photorealistic” keyword from the drop-down box.

Generic People and Celebrity Faces

When generating photorealistic images of people, Jasper Art is oh-so-close yet oh-so-far. When you generate four images of realistic people, the initial reaction is amazement.

But the more you look at them, the more it just doesn’t look right. Take a brief look at the four images of the Sikh men below.

The fact that Jasper Art created this man out of nothing is mind-blowing. And even the soft focus effect we saw on the animal images is less prevalent.

The problem comes when you look at each image more closely. And that problem is with the eyes. It’s one area where Jasper Art slips up.

The Sikh in the yellow turban is the most obvious example. But it’s a feature in every image. Not only are the pupils facing in different directions. The eyes are also different sizes. 

This is only one of the main identifiers that help us pick AI images from real images. So photorealism isn’t quite there when you look at the pictures closely. 

The results are more disappointing when you want photorealistic images of famous faces. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world’s most recognizable and photographed people.

That means Jasper has plenty of images to reference. And yet it can’t generate photorealistic images of the football player with any real success.

Again, we see the same problems (pictured below). First, none of the results are particularly photorealistic despite using the “Photography” medium and the “Photorealistic” keyword.

The next problem is that it doesn’t look like Ronaldo. There is a resemblance. But no one is going to believe that’s him. And it has the same problem with the eyes. They are facing different directions.

But Jasper Art‘s failings here are good news for celebrities. Fake images can cause a lot of problems. And using people’s likenesses without their permission might bring up legal issues too.

Failing to Answer Prompts

Jasper Art lacks extensive knowledge of artists and their styles. So you can’t set up an AI art forgery business yet. But we’ve also found it can’t always generate images that fit your description.

We entered “frog driving a car” into the prompt box in our original review in 2022. And Jasper Art produced some nice frogs in the “Crayon” medium (pictured below).

But the images generated weren’t exactly what we asked for. Not one of the frogs is sitting behind the wheel of a car.

We tried the same prompt again to see if Jasper Art had improved. We couldn’t use the “Crayon” medium because it’s no longer available. Instead, we used the “Acrylic Paint” medium. 

The results from our recent test are better. You can see cars or at least car-like features in all the images. But is the frog driving the car in any of them? No, not really.

The fact that Jasper can create these images at all is amazing. But it doesn’t always hit the mark.

A frog driving a car is a silly suggestion. But it illustrates an important point when talking about AI image creation. Jasper Art is intelligent. But it’s still a ways off from creating with human intellect.

You can ask a young child to draw a picture of a frog driving a car. Their execution level might not be as high or quick. But they will understand the concept of a frog driving a car.

Image Uses and Legal Restrictions

Jasper Art lets you create images. But can you use these images commercially? The simple answer is “yes.”

You can use a Jasper Art image in your blog or on marketing material for your company. You can even use them in advertisements. But using Jasper Art images isn’t all smooth sailing.

Images created with Jasper Art fall under a creative commons license. This means the person generating them doesn’t own the rights. Others can then use them as they please.

Plus, Jasper Art generates images using the information it finds online. It actively copies the style of famous artists.

That means there’s a risk an image can infringe on an artist’s or image’s copyright. And as the creator, the user is held responsible.

You also have to be careful using a person’s likeness for advertising. When you use a photo to advertise a product, everyone in the picture must sign a model release form.

A celebrity might be inclined to sue if they see their face on an ad they didn’t know about. So proceed with caution when you use Jasper Art. They do have a good FAQ section on their website.

Jasper Art Access and Prices

Jasper Art comes as part of Jasper’s subscription packages. You can’t subscribe to Jasper Art on its own. You must choose one of the full plans, including their AI writing tools.

Jasper has three subscription plans to choose from:

• Creator: This is their cheapest plan. It is for individual users and has a limited toolbox.
• Teams: This plan caters to small businesses and collaborative groups. It’s double the price of the Creator plan. But you get more than twice the access.
• Business: This is their top plan. It has no set price, as everything is negotiated to fit your company. Jasper creates bespoke plans to meet your needs as a business.

Jasper Art comes as standard in all the subscription plans. But the problem is that you can’t access it as a stand-alone program. It only exists as an extension to the larger Jasper AI content program. 

Jasper Art Alternatives

Jasper Art isn’t the only AI tool in town. There are other AI image generators. The two main rivals are PhotoAI and MidJourney. Both produce custom images from basic text entries.

PhotoAI

If you want photo-realistic images of people, there’s no better software than PhotoAI. It’s an incredible text-to-image AI generation tool that allows you to create original images of yourself or other people in any situation. 

PhotoAI has several public “characters” build into the program. But you can also turn yourself into an AI character. All you need to do is feed it photos of yourself, and it creates a character you can use in your AI-generated images. It doesn’t have to be you. You can turn anyone you know into a PhotoAI character.

The software is really easy to use. You don’t need any experience with AI or advanced computer software. The main skill is mastering the prompts. Thankfully, PhotoAI has plenty of pre-programmed prompts you can use with your characters. 

You can generate images of your character in different outfits and fashion styles. You can experiment with different scenarios and environments. And you can have the character partake in any activity you can imagine.

PhotoAI isn’t perfect. It still struggles with specific elements, like hands and sports equipment. But overall, the results are truly staggering. The photorealism is outstanding. And many of the images can pass for real photos. It’s the best photo-realistc AI software there is.

Read our full PhotoAI Review to find our more about this incredible software.

MidJourney AI

Our colleagues Jenn and Nick have done an in-depth review of Midjourney. They were both very impressed with the results. 

Their tests show that the Midjourney AI can handle more input information. And the AI art is intricate and detailed. You can read her full review of MidJourney for more info.

You can test the beta version of Midjourney for free. You get 25 free image generations then you must pay for the service.

For those who want more, there’s a monthly subscription. The basic subscription package gives you 200 image creations a month. And there’s another package with unlimited image generation.

Our Verdict for Jasper AI

Writing this Jasper Art review has shown us two things. The first is that AI image generators are amazing tools. Artificial intelligence can transform basic text into stunning images. It can also mimic well-known artists and draw famous faces.

The second thing we’ve learned is that robots aren’t taking over just yet. They’ve taken a few classes at art school. But Jasper Art hasn’t got his full diploma yet.

Photorealistic AI images have come a long way. And the results are genuinely impressive. But they are still far from perfect. Even with the best results, a tell or two identifies it as an AI image.

Jasper Art isn’t an all-in-one creative team. It can mimic many styles. But viewers can often identify AI pictures from those of a talented human. Companies that want real works of art need to employ human artists. Bots create content. Artists create art.

This is a good AI image generator for people needing a lot of fast content. It produces fantastic art images for blogs, marketing emails, and even ads. You can create whole websites with images generated by Jasper Art. And it’s a more creative alternative to using stock photos.

Jasper Art still has its limitations. And these will cause some frustration when trying to create original content. But overall, we think it works well for mid-level content. So try Jasper Art for yourself!

We Highly Recommend

Jasper Art

Discover an innovative software that uses AI to create stunning images from basic words and phrases. Appreciate the ease and speed of generating content with Jasper Art.

As of this writing, Midjourney’s Discord has over 14 million members. And this artificial intelligence art generator may change the way you create images.

What Is Midjourney?

Midjourney is a research lab that explores new mediums of thought. Their goal is to expand the imaginative powers of the human species.

What we are talking about here is Midjourney’s interactive “bot.” It uses machine learning to create pictures based on text.

A bot is an autonomous program on the internet or another network that can interact with systems or users. The program takes concepts and makes them a reality.

You simply describe what you want to see. Then the Midjourney bot goes out and finds images that are like what you described. And then it combines them uniquely and artistically.

What you get is more than a simple composite. Midjourney is an AI image creator. You get an entirely new creation! Now, many similar AI technologies have developed, including DALL-E 2.

How to Get Midjourney

The Midjourney multiverse opened up beta testing in July of 2022. Before, you had to have an invite to get onto the platform. But with expanded access, everyone can try out this new world of AI art generation.

The Midjourney bot runs through the Discord server. Open Discord in your browser to use the program. Or download the desktop or smartphone app onto your laptop, computer, or phone.

In a browser, go to Midjourney and click “join the beta.” Then, accept the invite. While you are here, look at the “getting started” link, where you will find general instructions on using the bot.

When you return to the Discord app, you should now have a Midjourney icon in the left-hand column. It is white with a boat icon.

That’s it! You are in! Time to have some fun.

How to Use Midjourney

Now let’s look at how to make AI-generated art. Click the Midjourney app icon in Discord. This takes you to the Midjourney workspace.

In the left-hand column, you will see a list of chat rooms. Start in one of the Newbie rooms.

In the “message” area at the bottom of the page, type “/imagine.” Here are the basic and advanced ways to lay out your prompt. The instructions are pretty clear.

Type what you want to see. Your prompt can be as fanciful as you want. You can include subjects, artistic styles, mood descriptors, and anything else.

Enter a whole paragraph, one word, or your favorite song lyrics. The combinations are endless. Let your imagination fly free!

I wrote, “/imagine a photograph of a photographer climbing a mountain to take a picture of a dinosaur.” 

Then, you have to scroll to find the message the Midjourney bot has made for you. You should be able to notice it easily with the yellow highlight.

You should see the AI working, which may take a minute or so. When the image has finished being created, scroll to find your new response.

Midjourney then gives you a range of options (pictured below). You can get an upscaled version of each image (U1, U2, U3, or U4).

Or you can ask it to do variations of a specific image (V1, V2, V3, or V4.) You can also get it to produce completely new results.

I decided to make it give me more variations of the fourth image. (Midjourney assigns the top-left image as number one and the bottom-right image as number four.)

The results were great, and I liked the fourth image the best. So I clicked U4.

Next, I went to find my final image in the chat. Then I clicked on the image to save it.

The Art of Writing Midjourney Prompts

There is a certain art to writing prompts, which is half the fun of Midjourney. Currently, the bot seems better at creating artistic images than photographic ones. And that may be the point.

Sometimes the results look like a photo. But mostly, they look like paintings or drawings. The program has a style of its own.

It really depends on the descriptive words you use. If you want a photo, try specifying a vintage photo like a wet plate or tin type.

The bot even recognizes many famous people. A daily prompt included John Oliver. And for 24 hours, everyone on the server created pictures of the comedian like the one below.

But this has led to the creation of “deep fakes.” These are realistic-looking images (or videos) of real people in imaginary situations or doing or saying imaginary things.

This caused Midjourney to put a pause on free trials. And it has even banned using the word “Pope” to prevent images using his likeness.

Creators often perfect their images by running the program many times. Each time they refine the prompt description and try different variations.

Some prompts add functionality and do something specific.

By default, all the images are in a square format. But typing “–ar 16:9,” for instance, changes the aspect ratio to a wide landscape, perfect for video screens.

If you want to see all of the art you made, go to the Midjourney page and log in. Your creations will be on the home page. And you can download them from there.

Can Midjourney Post-Process Photos?

Photographers often ask me if Midjourney can post-process photos taken with a camera. The short answer is no. This is not an image editor.

You can get images based on your photo and prompts. But you are not going to get a post-processed version of your photo.

To base your image on an existing photo, start the prompt with the web address of your photo. I usually save images into Dropbox or Google Drive and copy the associated link.

Follow the photo link with text describing how you want the final product to look.

Midjourney and Copyright

By default, images generated on Midjourney are public. Everyone can see what you are creating.

You can even interact with someone else’s creations by upscaling one you like or asking for variations. This means you get to see and learn from other creators’ prompts.

To use the app, you have to be open to the public nature of the platform. But if you can’t live with the open space, you can pay a fee to make your account private.

Copyright for AI-generated art is a bit ill-defined at the moment. You create the prompt. But the bot actually creates the image.

Midjourney is no longer providing free trial accounts. But it used to be that art created with a free trial account had a Commons Noncommercial 4.0 Attribution International License. So you could use images if you credited Midjourney and didn’t make money off them.

Today, you must pay for an account, and you can use your art as you wish. This includes selling them.

But the company can use your images. And since you created the images on a public forum, you probably can’t expect to use them exclusively. (You can read Midjourney’s Terms of Service here.)

Copyright law is complicated at the best of times. Throw artificial intelligence into the mix, and we are in for some interesting copyright cases. It remains to be seen how AI copyright issues pan out.

How Much Does Midjourney Cost?

Midjourney used to offer a free trial that allowed you to make up to 25 images. But as of March 28th, 2023, they stopped the free trial.

There are monthly and yearly (discounted) subscriptions. You can review Midjourney’s various plans. The Basic Plan monthly subscription ($10 per month) allows you up to 3.3 hours of usage per month.

The higher-level Standard Plan monthly subscription ($30 per month) gives unlimited creations if you work in “relaxed” mode. And there’s “fast GPU” mode, which allows you to create images faster. But you are limited to 15 hours monthly for this plan.

Plus, there is a Pro Plan ($60 per month) available. This increases your monthly time to 30 hours. And it increases the number of concurrent jobs you can have and speeds up processing times.

And there’s a Mega Plan for $120 per month that allows 60 hours of “fast GPU” mode usage per month. And it allows more images to be created concurrently.

Again, here is the link for Midjourney’s subscription plans so you can see which is best for you.

You can manage your subscription anytime by typing “/info” into the message bar.

Best Midjourney Alternative

PhotoAI is the best alternative software to Midjourney. It’s an AI photo generation tool dedicated to creating photo-realistic portraits of people. And while the results are not always perfect, they can be incredible. 

The top selling point of PhotoAI is the creation of AI “characters”. And you create characters by feeding the program real photos of a specific person. That person can be you, a colleague, or a family member. The more images you feed the robot, the better the AI renditions are.

Once you’ve trained the software on your character, you create new images using text prompts. You can suggest locations, activities, and even specific items of clothing. The robot then uses that information to generate photo-realistic portraits of your character. 

It isn’t perfect. It struggles with hands, limb proportion, and equipment. But when PhotoAI gets it right, you have usable AI-generated portraits. PhotoAI is at the very forefront of the AI imaging revolution. 

Read our full PhotoAI review for a deeper dive into this astonishing program. 

Midjourney: Our Verdict

Midjourney AI is a powerful tool for artistic image creation. You don’t need to be able to draw or have an artistic background. Simply describe what you want to see and let the bot do the rest.

But you cannot always anticipate what Midjourney will give you. It is like rain on a car windshield. The results are somewhat predictable with a large dose of randomness.

You do not always get exactly what you had in mind. But you often get a really cool image that you were not expecting!

It is getting better and better at photorealism. And soon, its images will be almost indistinguishable from normal photos.

You can control the Midjourney bot to an extent depending on how well you can verbally describe what you want to see. For many, this is tricky.

Again, you cannot always predict what the bot will render. There is an element of chance to what you get. In this way, it feels more like a game. So spin the wheel and see what you get!

What Are Photo Manipulation Ideas?

The term photo manipulation can mean many things. It can be adding filters or minor effects to photographs. You can also manipulate a photo by removing unwanted elements. Or you can manipulate images until you have a unique piece of digital art.
You can use Photoshop to distort, dissect, and dissolve. You have the power to change your subject from a mere human to a creature from another planet. Landscapes can be altered and new worlds created.
Photo manipulation artists can combine images and media to make composite photographs or digital collages. And you can combine photos with other media. Or the software can change your photos into other media. The only limitations are in your imagination.
When you use your original photography for image manipulation, you can do as you please. But if you’re using stock photos, there can be some ethical problems. You need to make sure the work you create has changed the images enough, so your work is original. It’s bad form to pass off the work of others as your own.

15 Photo Manipulation Ideas To Try

Now we’ll take a look at some surreal photo manipulation ideas you can try. We’ll show you some great examples of photo manipulation techniques from the masters.

1. Try a Digital Double Exposure

Double exposure is a great way to get started with Photoshop manipulations. You don’t need to be an Adobe Photoshop pro. You just need two photographs you’d like to blend.
In the days before digital image manipulation software, you had to create a double exposure ‘in-camera’. You’d have to expose the same piece of film twice. This analog technique would give you multiple exposures on one segment of celluloid.
Thanks to Photoshop, this process has become far easier. All you need to do is upload your images into Photoshop as separate layers. Then you place one over the other and increase the transparency.
You want to see details from all the images. But the amount of transparency is up to you. Your final images should be a dream-like blend of the two images. It’ll be full of texture and ghostly shapes.
Photographer Luke Gram provides the perfect example with this fabulous double exposure portrait. For more details, have a look at our double exposure Photoshop tutorial.

2. Make Your Subject Disappear

Making your subject disappear can seem like an odd strategy. Your subject is the focal point in your artwork. And it’s what the viewer connects with the most. But they don’t need to disappear completely.
Anna Maghradze uses this photo manipulation technique in her work. Her subjects fade into their surroundings, but their shape is still visible. But they’re transparent, like a ghost in the physical world.
Her photo manipulation work explores themes of loneliness and isolation. Her characters feel anonymous to the point that they’ve lost their physical appearance. They’re a spirit, floating alone midst the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
Anna has a simple approach to composite image-making. She never uses more than two or three images, allowing the message to speak for itself. Anna uses two or three layer masks in Photoshop and adjusts them using the layer filters.
If you apply this simple approach to your photo manipulation, you’ll be rewarded with some excellent results. Start with two or three stock images, and make your subjects disappear.

2. Multiply Your Subject

Rather than making your subject disappear, you can take the opposite route and multiply your subject. Reproducing the same character in one image gives it a surreal twist and adds energy to the photo.
There are several ways you can apply this manipulation technique. There’s the collage approach, where you cut and copy different photos and bring them together in one image. Or you can take multiple shots of the same scene. In each shot, the subject can be holding a different pose.
If you go for the multiple shots option, you can use a continuous shooting mode to capture the subject’s movement around the scene. It’s best to use a tripod for this technique. And you should select a setting with minimal movement in the background.
Once you have all the shots, you need to bring them together in Photoshop. Using many images from the same scene will make it easier to overlay each layer. Use the blend tools to create a seamless composite.
Natalia Seth has the perfect example. Her subject holds many striking poses across the photograph, adding energy and movement. We have an entire dance chorus with only one dancer. Here is our photo manipulation tutorial on multiplicity for more info.

4. Use the Droste Effect

You may not be familiar with the name Droste, but you’ve probably seen the effect before. It’s where the picture repeats within the image, often multiple times. It’s like a sound echoing down a corridor.
You can use two Droste effect methods for photo manipulation, one in Photoshop and the other in Photo Spiralysis. For both techniques, you need a photo with a frame in it. It can be a picture frame, television, or computer screen.
The Photoshop method is where you have a photo within a photo within a photo etc. The image can repeat an infinite amount of times. Or until it’s so small, it’s impossible to edit.
The Photo Spiralysis option gives you a different kind of Droste effect. The image spirals into itself with this effect, repeating and twisting into infinity.
One famous example is Pink Floyd’s Ummagumma album cover. The example here comes from Expert Photography’s Josh Dunlop. You can check out his Droste effect photo manipulation tutorial, where he shows you both methods.

5. Restructure The Landscape

Landscape photography is stunning and inspiring. But by using photo manipulation techniques, you can change a landscape into a surreal scene. Using Photoshop, you don’t need to stick to the standard rules of physics.
A landscape to a photo manipulation artist is the same as an animator’s ball of clay. They can change any element and introduce foreign objects. You can change a blue sky into a space scene. Or you can add arctic animals to a desert scene.
You have the power to change the landscape itself. Whole sections can be removed, and new boundaries can be drawn. Mountains are putty in your hands.
Jati Putra Pratama is an expert landscape manipulator. He creates surreal landscapes by folding Earth’s surface, creating right angles and sheer cliff edges. He breaks the world apart and restructures the planet.
You can create the same effect in Photoshop. Open your landscape in Photoshop and create a Duplicate Smart Object. Then use Perspective Warp tools to make the angles you want. You can see a photo manipulation tutorial here.

6. Use Practical Effects to Create a Surrealist Reality

A large part of surrealist art is about deconstructing the world around us. We take apart our reality—sometimes piece by piece. Digital editing techniques allow artists to visualise this deconstruction in new ways.
One technique for creating a surreal image is incorporating practical effects and props. You can take pictures of different surfaces or objects. You can break ice or heat water to create steam. These can be photographed and incorporated into another image using Photoshop.
Erik Johansson makes perfect use of this technique in the image below. To get the broken lake effect, he used real broken mirrors. He photographed shards of glass from different angles. He even bought a real fish to include in the final image.
Erik uses Photoshop to incorporate these practical effects into his digital image. It gives his final picture a tangible quality, making the surreal image believable. He has a great video on his Instagram that gives you a glimpse of his creative process. See his photo manipulation tutorial here.

7. Try Surreal Faceless Portraits

Portrait photography is about understanding your subject. A portrait photographer takes an intimate look and allows the subject’s character to shine through. Distorting this standard practice with photo manipulation ideas can create surreal portrait pictures.
Removing the face is a powerful technique when manipulating portrait photos. We connect to the subject through their face and eyes. If these are removed or replaced, we feel an immediate disconnect.
You can use blur effects to obscure the eyes. Or you can replace them with different objects, creating a unique digital collage. You can take a playful and surreal approach, replacing facial features with random things. Or you can pack your image with meaning.
Tommy Ingberg‘s ‘Wall’ is the perfect example of this image editing style. The face is torn from the head, revealing a brick wall. The figure with no face is a powerful image. And we can read meaning into the use of a wall.

8. Overlay Images for a Dual-World Effect

Composite photography is a great way to incorporate photo manipulation with digital photography. You can bring two worlds together, creating a scene of surreal magic and wonder.
You need two images to bring together as a composite image. They can be two photos you’ve taken yourself, or stock photos if you prefer. You want two that create a sense of juxtaposition. You could use a day scene with a starry sky. This is a good way of incorporating astrophotography.
You can also have your subject interact with their environment. This brings the dream world to life, as they play an active part in that world. It’s an excellent storytelling device for composite photography.
Platon Yurich has mastered this image manipulation technique. He has a scene from above the clouds stretching across the ground. But his subject has lifted the curtain to reveal the sky is a mirage.
The skill of this overlay technique comes from how Platon has left so much detail of the curtain. The sky nearly looks real, but the ripples in the cloth give it away.

9. Create a Cut-Out Collage Effect

Adobe Photoshop is a great tool for making digital collages. You can create seamless composite photos. But a retro cut-out collage effect is another excellent photo manipulation idea worth trying.
In Photoshop, cut out part of your scene. You can cut along the horizon or around significant objects. Then overlay this on a colored background to make it look like it’s been cut out and stuck down.
Frankie Lee Matthews creates digital collages with this retro aesthetic. She makes her digital work look and feel hand-made. There’s a sense of craft, and her images pop with fun and color.
In the piece below, she’s only used a few elements. Despite the simplicity, it’s a well-constructed piece of digital collage. The line of shadow behind the wave and woman is a lovely detail. It lifts the subject off the pink background, giving the picture a sense of depth.

10. Create Hybrids Using Photography and Illustration

Adobe Photoshop isn’t just the leading photo editing tool. It also has excellent digital drawing facilities. You can upload your photography and use Photoshop to add illustrated elements.
The style of illustration you apply is up to you. It can be modern digital-style brushwork. Or you can go for a pop art or cartoon style of illustration. They can be seamless blends or real and drawn. Or you can try a Roger Rabbit environment, where real and cartoon co-exist.
Alberto Seveso is one of the all-time greats of this photo manipulation technique. He uses illustration to deconstruct his photographs, taking them apart with color and texture. He removes layer after layer, only to add different elements of color and shape.

11. Add Magic and Movement with a Cinemagraph

A cinemagraph is a photograph that has one element that moves. Everything else in the image is completely still. They’re a great way to create something different with Photoshop.
To make a cinemagraph, you need a camera to record short videos. The footage only needs to last a few seconds, and you don’t need to record any sound.
Once you have your video, start the editing process in Photoshop. You need to select the start and endpoints of the cinemagraph. Then in a separate layer, paint over the still parts of the image to freeze them. You can see the full cinemagraph tutorial here.

12. Create Magic Portals That Connect Worlds

Creating magic portals in your images is an excellent storytelling technique. And with a few photo manipulation techniques, you can make surreal artwork that takes the viewer on a journey.
A portal can be something simple like a doorway or a window. Or they can be something more mysterious, like a magic wardrobe in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
When a character interacts with a portal, it creates a sense of narrative. A portal shows us there are different locations. They’re in one location one moment and a completely different place a moment later.
Joel Robison is an excellent visual storyteller. And the example below demonstrates how portals inject movement and narrative. The magic suitcase is the portal, allowing Joel to travel between locations. The leaves escaping from the suitcase give clues about his previous location.
It’s a self-portrait that combines several basic images and blending techniques. He doesn’t over-complicate his photography. He uses this one device to create energy and movement.

13. Create Dream Worlds by Relocating Landscapes

Cities in the clouds or under the sea have been the subject of fantasy and science fiction for years. You can make these dream worlds a reality with simple photo manipulation techniques.
All you need to do is bring several stock images together in Photoshop. Find a background image. It can be a scene from above the clouds or under the ocean. Then you’ll need another image of some houses or a cityscape. It’s then a case of blending techniques to create a natural yet surreal picture.
Charlie Davoli has nailed this technique in the picture below.

14. Make Your Own Perspective Illusion

Perspective illusions in surreal art are visual elements that physically connect in ways that don’t make sense to the human eye. At first glance, all seems well. But when you take a closer look, things don’t add up.
A staircase that connects around on itself is a famous example. But Erik Johanssen has given us another unique example of a surreal perspective illusion. The ladder comes from below and goes through the ceiling above. But in this image, the floor and the ceiling are on the same level.
It’s a tricky photo manipulation technique to get your head around. But with a few photos and a bit of Photoshop know-how, you can make amazing perspective illusion photos.

15. Add Paint Effects for Unique Portraits

You can create fabulous colorful portraits by adding paint effects to your pictures in Photoshop. It’s a simple photo manipulation technique that gives excellent results.
You can use a silhouette of your subject then fill the shape with colorful paint. It can be a solid color, Jackson Pollock-style dashes, or watercolor blotches. The latter has been used in our example by Andreas Lie.
Uploading your own paintwork is an excellent option. You can either scan or photograph your art and upload it into Photoshop. Or you can create the paint effect digitally. Photoshop has great paint tools. And there are other excellent digital paint options you can try.

Conclusion

Image manipulation is a fantastic way to create digital art. Photoshop gives you the power to make unique, surreal, and magical images. There are no limitations when it comes to photo manipulation ideas.
I hope these ideas and examples have inspired you to start your photo manipulation journey with Photoshop. You don’t need to worry if you’re not a Photoshop expert. You can develop your skills and style over time.
If you want more surreal inspiration, check out The Magical Photography Spellbook!

What is Digital Collage?

Digital collage is pictures made up of multiple images with editing software. It is a graphic design technique that transforms photos. We use cuts, additions, and placements to create a new context.
Digital collage takes the same cut-and-stick approach as traditional collage. But we apply it in a digital environment.
We still cut and stick. But we do these actions in Adobe Photoshop.
We can trace around our chosen subject and delete the rest. And we can use other creative Photoshop techniques in different parts of our collage.
We can create a background and then add layers of details. Luckily, Photoshop allows us to move layers around. We can reposition elements without tearing them down.

How Are Digital Collages Used?

You often see digital collages created for advertisements. Designers put images together on bright colored backgrounds to grab people’s attention.
Creating birthday or Christmas cards is a fun, practical use for digital collages. Or, if you master digital collage art, you can create custom designs. Check fabric sizes for pillows, blankets, and clothing. Then open a Photoshop document with the exact dimensions.
Digital collages are also often used in the art world as well. It is an art form perfected by many artists.

How to Make Digital Collage Art

There are two different types of collages. One involves different layers on top of different layers. The other is a well-curated page of pictures in different frames or grid formats.
I will guide you through the first example in this Adobe Photoshop tutorial. We will create this artistic, abstract collage.

Step 1: Select Photos for the Digital Collage

First, we source some photos for our digital collage. I used the free stock image site Unsplash for all my material.
What’s the best aspect of digital collage compared to paper collage? You have the whole internet to find your virtual images and photographs!
I started by looking for a subject to make the main focus of my image. I chose a picture of a woman.
Then I selected crinkled paper for my background for some texture. And I looked for multiple images to provide other interesting details and textures:

• a starry sky
• fire
• foamy ocean water

Step 2: Cut Out a Section of the Main Subject

We will start by cutting out part of the subject so we can reveal an image beneath it,
I opened the image of the woman as a separate document in Adobe Photoshop.

Then I duplicated the background layer. A copy will appear above your background in the Layers panel.

Grab the Pen tool from the left-hand toolbar. Make sure you set the Pen tool to ‘Path’ in the top drop-down menu. Then, slowly go around the section you want to remove with the Pen tool.
I traced around the woman’s face to leave the hair and clothes of the subject. When you have done this, be sure to close the path.

Now, make your path a ‘Selection’ in the Pen tool’s menu at the top of your screen. This brings up a dialogue box. You can tailor the settings to your preference.
The feather radius is most important. It gradually blends the line of your path.

After pressing enter, ‘marching ants appear around your selection. With your top layer selected, press the backspace button on your keyboard.
This will get rid of the area inside your selection. If you hide the bottom background layer, your image should look like the ‘after shot’,

Step 2: Add a Detailed Layer Underneath Your Subject

Now, let’s add one of the detailed images we selected to reveal in the cut-out space. In my case, I used a starry sky image.
Open the image onto your subject.

Then drag the new layer underneath your top layer in the Layers panel.

This will make the stars appear where the woman’s face once was. You have the freedom to move your image around behind the subject for the best look.

After finding the best position, you can cut out the image and drop it onto your background.
Grab the Crop tool and make and reframe the subject. And to finish it off, go to Layer > Flatten Image.

Step 3: Use Collage Elements to Create Different Layers

Background Layer

First, let’s get our background image up. I cropped my page to a ratio size that I liked.

Fire Layer

I added another detailed element to my image that my subject could sit on—the fire image.
If additions don’t work, we can always take them out. That is the best part about creating a digital collage.

Subject Layer

Now, go back to your subject. Grab the single layer from this edit and drop it onto your background.

This is how your image should look. With the Transformation tool (Command/Ctrl+T), you can move around your elements.

Rectangle Layer

I added a block of color to show how you can add shapes in Photoshop. First, select the Rectangle tool from the left-hand toolbar.
Choose ‘Shape’ in the drop-down menu and select the Color Picker. Here, you can choose any color you like to put in your digital collage.

Then drag out your Rectangle tool to place the red shape on your image.
Remember, you can adjust where the layer sits on your image in the Layers panel. I placed the red rectangle above the fire layer but below the subject layer.
After picking the place it sits, you can always adjust its size and shape with Command/Ctrl+T.

Step 4: Cut and Stick More Collage Elements

Let’s look at another way to use the cut-and-stick method. I wanted to add slivers of the foamy ocean for texture.
Start by duplicating the background layer. Then grab the Rectangle Marquee tool from the top of the toolbar and choose your selected sliver.

Next, inverse this selection using Command/Ctrl+Shift+I and delete the selection by pressing the backspace.

Now, take this new layer and drop it onto your digital collage.

This is what it will look like on your image. Adjust the size using Command/Ctrl+T.

Another way to manipulate elements in a digital collage is to duplicate your material. Here, I dragged the sliver layer over the ‘Create new layer’ icon on the bottom of the Layers panel to create copies.

After spacing each layer out, my new section looked like this. And I turned the central element around to make this section a bit more interesting.
Press Command/Ctrl+T. Then turn the section 180°.

Step 4: Erase and Reveal Layers

Another creative use of Photoshop tools is using the Eraser tool. We can make it look as if we have cut through layers.
First, grab the Eraser tool from the left toolbar. Next, select the first layer you want to cut through. I chose the red rectangle layer.
I changed the radius of the Eraser tool and ‘cut out’ a circle of my choice.

I then selected the fire layer underneath and clicked on the exact location. This simple cut revealed the paper layer and gave the image a whole new dimension.

Conclusion

Digital collage can be as straightforward or as complex as you like. Use these techniques and others to create your visual graphic!
We can incorporate the cut-and-stick approach in many different ways. Bringing all the elements together in a balanced way can make for an exciting image.
A digital collage is like any other artwork. It takes time to get good at it. So start collecting some visual material and try it out for yourself!
Try out our Fantastic Photo Adventures course to tell whimsical stories with unique photos!

What Is Digital Collage?

The art of collage is creating an image by combining different pictures and materials to make something unique. Traditional collage uses physical materials like paper, paints, and photos. With digital collage, the artist brings these elements together with editing software.
Digital collage is an art form of the 21st century. But its roots reach back more than 100 years. Early collages were found in the art movements of the early 1900s. This included Cubism, Surrealism, and Dadaism. Later, collage became a popular element in the pop art scene of the ’60s.
Modern technology has brought new life into the art of collage. Photoshop, other editing software, and collage apps have redefined the limits of what is possible with digital collage art. And modern collage artists are showing us these possibilities.

10 Unique Digital Collage Ideas to Inspire You

Here are ten spectacular examples of contemporary artists’ finest digital collage work. The ideas used in their digital collage art will inspire you in your own magical artwork.

1. Embrace Your Surrealist Spirit

Modern imaging software gives you an incredible amount of freedom. You can gather a vast array of images and different types of media. And you can put them together in any way your imagination sees fit.
Naomi Amber Dawn gives us a perfect example of a digital collage in the surrealist tradition. She puts familiar elements together to create a new and other-worldly scene. She deconstructs our reality and creates a surreal environment.

2. Utilize a Retro Aesthetic

Traditional collage artists used clippings from newspapers and magazines. The imagery was contemporary then, but it significantly impacted that collage artists still use vintage imagery of early 20th-century media.
Julien Pacaud may use digital techniques, but his digital collages stay true to the classical imagery of those early artists. We can see the grain of film photos, the texture of old newspapers, and a seemingly time-induced color fade.

3. Teleport Viewers to Other Dimensions

Anna Maghradze uses digital collage techniques to transport her subjects to another world. By combining two or three photos, she creates unique situations. But despite the leap of imagination involved in creating such scenarios, her work seems natural.
Anna never combines more than two or three images. And this simplicity helps to give her work a sense of realism. Her digital collages have elements of surrealism but express a warped reality rather than a completely different world.

4. Combine Various Media and Techniques

Combining different media and artistic techniques is at the heart of collage-making. A paper collage would be comprised of clippings, paint, and sketches. And digital artists are keeping the multimedia approach alive.
Frankie Lee Matthews incorporates physically created elements into her digital collages. She combines them with digital clippings and photos in Photoshop. In the example below, she used makeup to paint a beach scene. You can even see the brush textures in the final digital image.
Her social media posts are an excellent source of inspiration. Her digital art and content are fabulous. And she often has helpful video tutorials accompanying her digital collages.

5. Replace Heads to Challenge Viewers

When we look at artwork with human subjects, our eyes are drawn toward their face. It’s a natural way to look at someone and connect. That’s why removing or replacing your subject’s head can be jarring when you make a digital collage.
Head replacement is a theme often used by digital collage artist Frank Moth. By replacing heads in his images, he dissociates the viewer. The viewer is challenged to view other details of the image.
It’s not just a cool effect. By replacing a head with something else, you’re adding meaning and depth to your digital collage.

6. Electrify with Vibrant Colors

Collage artwork is often associated with faded, sun-worn colors. But if you inject pop art influence, you can create vibrant energy using bright colors. You can swap colors from source images. Or you can create brand new colorful elements in Photoshop.
Temi Coker‘s digital collages are alive with color. Coker uses bright oranges, purples, and blues to set the tone and elevate his art. He’ll often use a face or head and surround it with electric colors to create stunning digital collage portraits.

7. Go Minimalist for a Strong Composition

When creating digital collages, you have so many possibilities that getting carried away is easy. You can add another element to your art with a few clicks and a short drag. But sometimes, it’s best to show some restraint.
Anthony Zinonos shows what can be done with just a few elements. He follows the “less is more” approach. And he’s created powerful collages with a subject and a block or two of color. You can explore ideas using color and negative space using his composition examples.

8. Tear it Down and Put it Back Together

Collage is about taking an image from one place and putting it elsewhere. Naturally, rips and tears have been a long-standing visual graphic element in the art form. Sometimes rips are hidden, creating a seamless collage. But other artists incorporate tears in their work.
The rips and tears add to the themes of deconstruction and reconstruction, as seen in the work of Labyrinth of Collage. This collage style is about pulling something apart and combining the pieces to make something new. The new image then questions or mocks its source material.
You can create the torn effect and texture using editing software. Or you can import ripped images by taking pictures with a digital camera or using a scanner. Using actual torn paper gives a layered texture and continues the multimedia tradition of collage.

9. Tune-In to Pop Culture Past and Present

Television has been a significant source of inspiration for collage since the pop art boom of the ’50s and ’60s. Pop art grew out of the pop culture that was big at the time. And TV played a large part in that.
Screens still provide us with cultural images and ideas. But now we have computer and phone screens too.
They expose us to things that delight, educate, and horrify us. They keep us connected or transport us somewhere else. These are the ideas expressed in the digital collage of Elo Marc.

10. Use Humour to Express Yourself

Humor is often looked down upon in the art world. But when it comes to collage, you can be as funny as you like. You can use humor to add meaning to your digital collages. But just being funny can be your goal from the outset.
Kalen Hollomon combines photos and other materials to make collages that make us laugh. They use simple collage techniques, using only two or three images.
And he brings them together to deliver a visual punchline. The images are sometimes silly and irreverent. But that’s all part of the deconstructive collage and digital collage tradition.

Conclusion: Unique Digital Collage Ideas

Digital image manipulation software like Photoshop has breathed new life into the genre of collage. You’re no longer limited to the pictures you can tear out of newspapers and magazines. You have a whole world of digital information to play with.
The artists exhibited in our article demonstrate a wide range of ideas and themes in digital collages. They demonstrate many new techniques. But many of the classic themes of collage still run through their art.
I hope their wonderful work gives you plenty of new digital collage ideas and inspiration to create your own. To create similar surreal photos, check out our Digital Dreamworlds eBook!

How to Use Perspective Warp in Photoshop

The perspective can get distorted when you take a photo of a building from too close. While it’s possible to correct it, there are limits.
A lot of times, you can only make it better and not fix it entirely. Here’s how to use the Photoshop Perspective Warp.

Step 1: Unlock the Background Layer

Open the photo in Photoshop. Double-click on the background layer to unlock it. Click “OK”.
It’s also a good idea to duplicate the background layer, so you always have a copy of the original one.

Step 2: Apply the First Perspective Warp Grid

Go to Edit and choose Perspective Warp.

Close the pop-up window and start drawing a perspective grid on the building you want to distort.
The Photoshop perspective grid doesn’t have to match the exact lines of the building when you first draw it.
Once the grid is there, you can use the corner handles to match the lines with the edges of the building.

Step 3: Apply a Second Photoshop Perspective Warp Grid

Next, draw another grid on a wall that connects with the first one you used.

Again, use the corner handles to match all the lines. The second grid will also automatically connect with the first one.
If the lines light up blue, they’re ready to connect. If they’re orange or yellow, you can’t join them.
You can distort the walls separately with the power of the Perspective Warp.

Step 4: Correct the Perspective

In the top menu, select “Warp”. Now, use the corner handles to correct the perspective.
Make sure that all vertical lines are truly vertical. If the perspective in your photo is heavily distorted, don’t correct it too much because it will look bizarre.
Once you’re finished, hit the checkmark to finalize the perspective correction.

Step 5: Crop the Image to Remove Distortion

After using the Photoshop perspective warp, you’ll notice distortion on the edges of your photo. You need to crop the picture to get rid of those ugly edges.
Select the crop tool and set an aspect ratio. Drag the ratio over the photo to create a cropping grid. Once you’re pleased with it, double click to crop. That’s it.

Common Perspective Warp Questions

How to Change the Perspective of an Image in Photoshop

There are a few ways to alter the perspective in Photoshop. The most common ones are by using the Perspective Warp or Perspective tool.

How to Warp an Image in Photoshop

Make sure to unlock the layer you’re working on. Go to Edit > Transform, and choose Warp. Now drag the handles or any area in the photo to bend and twist the image.

Conclusion

If you like to take photos of buildings, knowing how to use the Photoshop Perspective Warp is essential.
Perspective Warp allows you to correct perspective quickly. It’s not as professional as using a tilt-shift lens, but it sure is a lot cheaper.
Looking for more great Adobe Photoshop tutorials? Check out how to remove a background or select and edit hair in Photoshop next!