Step 11: Drag The Text Layer Below "Layer 1"

Now that we have our text the way we want it, we need to move the type layer below the text in the Layers palette. Click on the text layer, then simply drag it down below "Layer 1". You'll see a thick black line appear between "Layer 1" and "Layer 2":

Release your mouse button when the black line appears to drop the type layer into place between "Layer 1" and "Layer 2":

Step 12: Select "Layer 1" Again

Click once again on "Layer 1" in the Layers palette to select it:

The text will temporarily disappear inside the document window now that the image on "Layer 1" is blocking it from view.

Step 13: Create A Clipping Mask

To create the illusion that the photo is inside the text, we need to use a clipping mask. This will "clip" the photo on "Layer 1" to the text on the layer directly below it. Any areas of the photo that appear directly above the letters will remain visible in the document. The rest of the photo will disappear from view.

With "Layer 1" selected in the Layers palette, go up to the Layer menu at the top of the screen and choose Create Clipping Mask:

If we look in the document window, we can see that the photo now appears to be inside the text:

Step 14: Add A Drop Shadow (Optional)

To complete my effect, I'm going to add a drop shadow to the letters. If you want to follow along, first select the type layer in the Layers palette, then click on the Layer Styles icon at the bottom of the Layers palette:

Select Drop Shadow from the list of layer styles that appears:

This brings up Photoshop's Layer Style dialog box set to the Drop Shadow options in the middle column. I'm going to leave most of the options alone, but I'll lower the Opacity of the drop shadow down to about 60% so it's not quite so intense, and I'll set the Angle of the drop shadow to 120°:

Click OK when you're done to apply the drop shadow an exit out of the Layer Style dialog box. Here is my final "image in text" effect:

And there we have it!

Want a better way to learn? Download this tutorial as an easy to read, ready to print PDF eBook!

Or keep up-to-date with all of our latest free Adobe Photoshop tutorials by subscribing to our RSS feed!