Easy Ways to Fade Two Images Together in Photoshop

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Easy steps for creating a smooth blend between 2 images
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This wikiHow teaches you how to fade one image on top of another image in Adobe Photoshop. Both adjusting the top image's opacity and using a gradient tool on the top image will achieve this effect.

Blending an Image into Another on Photoshop

To fade one image onto another image in Photoshop, add the two images to your project. To blend them on top of each other, select the top image and lower the opacity. You can also apply a gradient to the top image.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Adding Images as Layers

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  1. Double-click the Photoshop app icon, which resembles a blue "Ps" on a square background.
  2. It's in the top-left corner of the Photoshop window (Windows) or the screen (Mac). A drop-down menu will appear.
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  3. This is near the bottom of the drop-down menu. Selecting it prompts a pop-out menu.
  4. It's near the bottom of the pop-out menu. A new window will pop up.
  5. You'll find this option on the right side of the window. Clicking it opens a window from which you can select the images you want to fade.
  6. Hold down either Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ Command (Mac) and click each of the two images you want to use.
  7. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. You should see the photos' names appear in the middle of the window.
  8. It's in the top-right corner of the window. This will prompt Photoshop to open both images as distinct layers. Once Photoshop finishes opening the images, you can proceed with changing your image's opacity or adjusting the image's gradient .
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Fading with Opacity

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  1. In the "Layers" pane on the right side of the Photoshop window, click and drag the image that you want to fade up to the top of the pane.
  2. Click the top-most image in the "Layers" window to ensure that it is selected before proceeding.
  3. You'll see this menu at the bottom of the "Layers" section. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu. [1]
  4. In the drop-down menu, drag the slider to the left to lower your top image's opacity. As you drag the slider, you should begin to be able to see the bottom image through the top image.
    • You can also change the opacity's percentage value in the text box. 100% is completely opaque and 0% is completely transparent. [2]
  5. If you've adjusted your top image's opacity to your liking, your fade is complete.
    • You may want to adjust the opacity incrementally to see what your image looks like with a little bit more (or less) opacity before saving it.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Fading with the Gradient Tool

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  1. In the "Layers" pane on the right side of the Photoshop window, click and drag the image that you want to fade up to the top of the pane.
  2. Click the top-most image in the "Layers" window to ensure that it is selected before proceeding.
  3. Click the "Layer Mask" icon, which resembles a rectangle with a sphere in it, at the bottom of the "Layers" section.
  4. Click the square "Gradient" icon in the left-hand toolbar.
    • You can also just press the Q key.
  5. In the "Presets" window, click the black-and white (black in the upper-left corner, white in the lower-right) rectangle to select it as your gradient style.
  6. It's in the upper-right corner of the Gradient window.
  7. Double-check that the layer mask is selected before applying the gradient, then do the following: [3]
    • Click and drag from the point on the image where you want the fade effect to start.
      • Press and hold ⇧ Shift to force your cursor to move in a straight line.
    • Release the cursor where you want the fade effect to end.
    • Repeat this process for unfaded parts of the image if need be.
  8. Upon releasing your mouse button, your fade effect will display on the image. [4]
    • If you want to undo your gradient and try again, press Ctrl + Z (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd + Z (Mac).
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What should I do if dragging the mouse from right to left just drags the layer mask to the left without applying a gradient?
    Mxlinowski
    Community Answer
    Go to the Gradient Picker at the top of the screen and click on black and white. Then, hold Shift, drag the corners to your whole image that you want blended, and release.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd5I9Kk4cQc
      2. ↑ http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-adjust-layer-opacity-in-photoshop-cs6.html
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=engv1NdwgZ8
      4. ↑ http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/photo-blend/

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