Photo Collage {Photoshop Elements Tutorial}

Awhile back I showed you how to make a photo collage in PSE.  Well today I'm back to show you an even EASIER way!  Know that I am learning this PSE thing right along with you!  I just love to share what I'm learning and hope that you find some benefit in these little tutorials as well.

Begin by opening a blank document (File...new...blank file).  Set the size to what you want your finished product to be.  Lately I've been doing a lot of 4x6 canvases in order to make collages for my PAS.  Once you have your canvas ready select the rectangle tool.

Draw a rectangle for your first photo.

Draw a second rectangle (I changed the color just to make it easier for you to see, but that isn't necessary).

And draw your third rectangle.

In the Layers Palette (bottom right) select the first rectangle.

Drag and drop your first photo into the canvas.  Mine always come in very big.  So I have to drag the corners down quite a bit before I even think about clipping.

Adjust the size and placement of your photo until it looks the way you want.  Click the checkmark to commit to the resize.

At this point create a clipping mask (forgot to take a screen shot of that but there is one coming up.  or you can see this tutorial for help).

In the layers palette select your second rectangle.  Then drag and drop your next photo onto your canvas.

Once you get your photo close to the size you want it's time to create a clipping mask.  With the photo layer selected go to Layer...Create Clipping Mask.  That will link your image to the rectangle shape.  You can still move and resize the photo as needed.

It's time for photo number three!  Same process as the last two.  Select the rectangle layer, drag and drop the photo, resize as needed, and create clipping mask.

Now you have all three photos on your canvas.  You could stop here.  But I like a bit of definition between the photos.

I want my lines to be white so on the left hand side I made sure the white was on top of the color swatches.

Under the rectangle tool is a line tool.  Select the line tool.

In the top tool bar choose your pixel size for your line.  I typically use 5 pixels for a line on a 4x6 photo.  Remember the larger the pixel size the thicker the line.

I find it best to start my line just off the edge of the picture.  As you drag your line hold down the shift key.  It will make your line go straight.  Love that!  If you draw your line and can't see it, remember that the line layer has to be on top of the stack.  So just drag the layer to the top and the line will show up.

Follow the same procedure to draw your second line.

Your collage is now complete!  So easy right?!?  To be ready to print you must flatten your image.  In the layers palette right click on one of the layers and choose...flatten image.  Remember to save your creation as a jpeg.

I think this process is very handy if you are the kind of person that prints your pics outside of the home.  Especially if you like to scrap photos smaller than 4x6.  With this method you can fit several small photos on one 4x6 canvas and print them up.  You can cut them apart or scrap them as is (which I did with this one and will show you later in the week).


Hope you found this tutorial helpful! happy collaging!  :)

How often do you create photo collages?  Do you use Photoshop/PSE or another online source?  Do you love ice cream like I do?  What is your to die for flavor?  Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear all about it!