How do I create a photo with 3 photos (all the same size) only separated by a black background. ?

Question

I have PSCS2, Elements 6.0, Corel, and Picasa. Now I know with all of those you'd think I'd know how to do this. I have tried to create a collage, but it won't give me the set up I want. It's kind of like when you see three photos in one frame kind of thing. So it's not really a collage.

Answer 1

cant you just :

From cs2.....Or elements...

Create new project..... size it how you want. Paint bucket it black.



Open up all your pics, one at a time, select all, copy, and then paste onto the black background. Then Free Transform it where you want it.

In the end, you should have the 3 pics, with a black background....

I am no good at explaining it.... lol.... but I tried..:)

Answer 2

Very easy to do. I will walk you though it. We will use Photoshop.

1. Open All 3 of the images you want to use.

2. Open a NEW document and set up the size you need - For instance, lets say your photos are a 4 x 6 size, you have three of them across which is at least 12 inches, but lets have 2 inches extra on each side. Which takes us to 24 inches across and 10 inches in height.  And it would be best to set this document up with a white background.

3.  Now lets copy and paste the images onto the white background.  Click on the first photo, now go up to select and select all. Then, edit copy. NOW click back on your new file and click edit>paste.  Now you have the freedom to move the photo around with the move tool to place it exactly where you want it.  Repeat this step two more times for the other two photos.

4. Now lets make the mattes.  Click on the rectangle tool, and click and drag to make a rectangle that fits around , but also centers the first photo. Go to Edit>Fill and fill in this rectangle with black.  DON'T WORRY!!  I know it has covered your photo... SO go to Layer>Arrange> and select bring forward or bring to front.   Now repeat this same step for the other two photos.

As a tip -  I think I would leave a very tiny amount of the white background showing between each photo & the mattes, and perhaps on the top and bottom.  

NOW - you will notice we have several layers going on here.  So, I would save this file as a PSD to begin with just in case you want to come back and make any changes whatsoever.   ALSO - after saving it that way we want to go to Layer>Flatten Image.  This will flatten all those layers down, which will give you the option to save this file as a jpg which is how you need it to print if you are going to.

I know this is a lot of steps, and work, but I bet it will look so great.  If you have any other questions please feel free to connect to me and email if you need to.

Thanks for reading!

Answer 3

Layering is your answer. Watch a editorial on Layering at a photo-shop site. Or buy the software which come with lessons on how to use the software which are very helpful. Once you buy the produce legally the after sale benefit are very usefull. It will not leave you in the dark, I have found with Adobe Photo-shop.