How to Merge 2 Pictures Together

Open an image-editing program that enables the user to work with layers. Adobe Photoshop is the photography industry standard for layered image editing.

Import the two photos you want to merge into the program. This procedure differs from program to program. But there is usually a command such as "Import" or "Open" in the "File" menu located at the top of the window. If you are using Photoshop, you also have the option of importing the items from Adobe Bridge. Open Bridge and double-click on the two photos to import them into Photoshop.

Pick one of the photos as the background, or bottom, layer of the image. Choose the layer which you want to be more visible as the background or bottom layer.

Click on the image you didn't choose in Step Three. Drag it into the window containing the image you chose in Step Three if you want to merge the whole image with the other photo.

Use the Selection tool to choose one particular area of the image that you want to merge with the other if you only want to use part of the photo. After the desired area is selected, click on it and drag it onto the image chosen in Step Three.

Click on the new layer in the layers panel. This is often placed on the right side of the screen but it is sometimes located elsewhere. Photoshop users can find it easily by clicking on "Window" and "Layers Panel" in the toolbar at the top of the screen.

Adjust the opacity of the top layer until the layers appear in a way that pleases your eye. Opacity is the measure of how solid the layer is. Zero percent opacity means that the layer is invisible and 100 percent opacity means nothing is visible beneath it.

Select "Merge" or "Flatten" to merge the layers together to create one new image. After you click this command, it's no longer possible to adjust the layers separately so make sure the image appears exactly as you want it beforehand. Better yet, make a duplicate and then flatten the images together.

Save the image with a new name.