Film Strip Photo Collage in Photoshop - Part 2
Learn Photoshop with Photo Effects Tutorials at Photoshop Essentials.com
Step 5: Add A Layer Mask
Let's blend the right edge of the photo in with the white background, creating a smooth transition between the two. Having an area of white on the right side of the document will make it easier to see the film strips that we'll be adding in a moment. Make sure "Layer 1" is selected in the Layers panel (it should be highlighted in blue), then click on the Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to add a layer mask to the layer:
Nothing will happen yet in the document window itself, but a layer mask thumbnail appears on "Layer 1" in the Layers panel:
Step 6: Select The Gradient Tool
Select the Gradient Tool from the Tools panel, or press the letter G on your keyboard to select it with the shortcut:
Step 7: Choose The Black to White Gradient
With the Gradient Tool selected, right-click (Win) / Control-click (Mac) anywhere inside the document to quickly bring up the Gradient Picker, then click on the Black to White gradient, third icon from the left, top row, to select it:
Click anywhere outside of the Gradient Picker when you're done to close it.
Step 8: Draw A Black to White Gradient To Create A Transition Area
With the Black to White gradient selected, click just inside the right edge of the photo to set a starting point for the gradient, then keep your mouse button held down and drag horizontally towards the left, stopping just short of the center of the document. The area between the points where you started and ended the gradient is where the photo will blend into the white background:
Release your mouse button, at which point Photoshop draws the gradient. Since we drew the gradient on the layer mask, not on the layer itself, we don't actually see the gradient in the document window. Instead, we see the effects of the gradient on the layer mask, which now blends the right side of the photo smoothly into the white area on the far right:
Our main photo is in place and ready for the film strips to be added. We'll do that next!
