[Giles Booth]

This is probably a very stupid question, but here goes...

I'd like to blend two images together so that they overlap - as used for example on the cover art of the New Order album 'Republic'
( http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...1.LZZZZZZZ.jpg )

I'm sure I need to create an alpha channel and use a gradient fill - but then how do I merge that with another image? I've tried using another layer but then the alpha channel seems to appear on every layer... and if I try selecting the image and pasting it into another, the transparency information seems to get lost...

[Giles Booth]

Okay so that'll be Layer... / Add layer mask... / etc then

I'll get me coat.

[keekeeree]

Actually, there's a pretty easy way to do this. Just open up the two images in photoshop, past one of the pics into a new layer on the other image. Move it to which ever half of the photo you want it on. Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool (no preset feather), and select the edge of the photo on the top layer (other photo will still be a background). Do a feather (experiment, but I'd start out with a value of 25), and clear your selection. You'll end up with the faded look you want. Flatten the image and you're done.

Good luck

[Giles Booth]

Thanks Keekeeree, that's a top tip.

I just tried it - with very small images I admit as my iBook is kind of choking on its paltry 64MB ram - and it produced good results. I got a dark band on the edge of the top image, but it was easy enough to select and delete it and slide the images together... exactly the result I was after and much easier than mucking around with masking channels!

[Demonhood]

but masking and channels are the stuff dreams are made of.

feathering is good tho. also remember that when you have a feathered selection (or any non standard selection), you can still apply most filters to your image. this creates some cool results as you can have gradient blurs and such things.

[lland]

If you have Photoshop you can open one image then under 'image' canvas size create a canvas long enough to take include the other image. Copy and paste the other image to a new layer and position to overlap.
In the layers palette select the layer (top image) and click on the icon that looks like a tone square with a circle cut out at the bottom of the layer window. This will create a layer mask this appears as a box to the right of you image in the layers palette.
Make your foreground colour black. You can click the default setting in the tools window for selecting foreground background, then click on the double arrow at the top right beside the black/white box to change black to the foreground colour.
Now select a paintbrush with a wide setting and a soft edge. If you paint a vertical strip down the middle you will see the effect. As it is a layer mask you can delete any part by changing your brush to white.
Experiment until you get the blend you want, then flatten layers.
If you don't have Photoshop - sorry