Collage Example

1 - 2 - 3 Collage Tutorial

Using Layers and Blending Modes in Photoshop

Tutorial courtesy of Karen Brockney

In this tutorial you will be introduced to blending modes in the Layers Palette, using adjustment layers, gradients and more.

This is a two part assignment. The first is a guided tutorial, and the second you will complete your own collage using the same techniques from the tutorial.

The instructions were written for a similar Photoshop program – Photoshop Elements is a cheaper version of Photoshop CS5 and doesn't contain some of the same features – so there may be some slight adjustments.

Part 1 – The Guided Tutorial

You will make a quick collage using three images. Blending modes and a layer mask are the secrets to this technique. The images we use will include a metallic texture, a text manuscript, and a portrait.

 

Click here to download the image files for this tutorial

  1. Create a new folder titled "layers_collage"
  2. Save all asset files for the assignment (image files, etc) in this folder
  3. Open Photoshop and make a file that is 250 pixels wide by 188 pixels high
  4. Download the asset files for the tutorial – you can also find them in P:/handouts/Sinks/Digital Media/123LayersCollage
  5. Follow along with the tutorial instructions
  6. Save as "123Collage" in the "layers_collage" folder
  7. When finished, Save for Web and Devices as a JPEG and link on your worklinks

Part 2 – Creating Your Own Layered Collage

Rogan Vallini

Following the same steps listed in Karen's tutorial, you will create your own collage using at least 4 different images (hers used 3).

Think of images that would look cool together and use Google to search for cool backgrounds that are textured or have a unique design. Use images that are larger or about the same size as the document you create.

Use the same layering and blending techniques as in the tutorial.

  1. Save all asset files for the assignment (image files, etc) in the "layers_collage" folder
  2. Create a new Photshop document that is 400 pixels wide by 300 pixels high
  3. Save as "yourLastName_collage" in the "layers_collage" folder
  4. When finished, Save as a .jpg and upload to the Synergy Dropbox