Expert: LizaL - 5/11/2006

Question
How do I combine two or more photos side by side into a collage image? (as opposed to layering images over each other - which is not what I want to do)  I want to take two photos and "splice" them side by side, keeping each photo distinct and separate.  I have Adobe Photoshop CS. Thanks!

Answer
Hi -- are you wanting to use this image on the Web, or in print?

I'll show you how to do this for a print file, but if you want to know how to make slices to be used in tables for the Web, just post back and I'll be happy to explain that. It sounds to me like in this case, though, you're talking about print.

I understand that you don't want the photos layered over each other, but you'll still want to use layers.

First, gather the pictures you want to use for your collage. Take the largest one and go to the Image pulldown menu, and select Image Size. Make a note of these measurements. Take the picture you want to appear beside this picture, and see what its size is. Add its width to the width of the first picture, and make a note of this number.

Now create a new document (File > New) and make its width the combined widths of both pictures. You'll have an empty document with a white background.

Drag the first picture into the new document, and you'll notice that it's automatically assigned to its own layer. Do the same thing with the other picture, and place it wherever you want it. Having the pictures in separate layers ensures that you can put them side by side, and positioned however you want.

You can also use the Trim command when you've finished, so that you can do away with any white space that might be around the borders.

Like this:
http://little-works.com/all_experts/collage.mov

As I said, if I'm wrong here and you want to actually slice a picture for use in an HTML document, just post back and I'll explain it.

Hope this helps --

Lisa