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Guided mode Combine edits

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Note:

*In Photoshop Elements 2024 and earlier versions, the Combine category was known as Photomerge.

The Guided mode provides you with guided edits - a wizard-like interface to accomplish certain predefined effects. Each guided edit has an associated image. As you move the mouse horizontally over the image, the portion to the left of the slider displays the image before the effect is applied. The portion to the right of the slider displays the image after the effect is applied.

Combine Photos

Combine Photos has been introduced in Photoshop Elements 2025.

Use Combine Photos to seamlessly blend multiple images, merging subjects from one photo, backgrounds from another, and elements from many more to create a unique composition. 

Combine Photos feature can be invoked from three places:

  • In Photoshop Elements Guided room,  choose Combine > Combine Photos
  • In Photoshop Elements, choose Image menu > Combine Photos
  • In Element Organizer, choose Edit Menu > Combine > Combine Photos

To learn more, see Combine Photos.

Photomerge Group Shot

Use Photomerge Group Shot to create the perfect group photo from multiple photos.

Note:

For best results, pick multiple images from the same photo session.

  1. Do one of the following to select the group photos you want to use as source images for the Photomerge Group Shot:

    • In Elements Organizer, select the photos.  
    • In Photoshop Elements, open the photos.

  2. In the Guided room, choose Combine* > Photomerge Group Shot.

  3. Select the best group photo, and drag it from the Photo Bin to the Final window.

  4. Click other photos in the Photo Bin (color coded to help you keep track). Use the Pencil tool to mark areas that you want to merge into the final photo. To fine tune the final image, use the Pencil tool to add additional content, or the Eraser tool to remove content.

  5. Set any of the following:

    Show Strokes Click this option to show the Pencil strokes you marked in the source image.

    Show Regions Click this option to reveal the selected regions in the final image.

    Advanced Options Expand or collapse this arrow for Advanced Options.

    Alignment Tool To correct the alignment of multiple photos, click the Alignment Tool, place three markers in the source image and three markers in the final image, then click Align Photos.

    Note: Photomerge Group Shot uses auto alignment. Use the Alignment Tool only if the automatic alignment didn’t produce the expected result.

    Pixel Blending Click this option to blend pixels.

  6. After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:

    • Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly created image in any of the available formats.
    • Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
    • Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

Use Photomerge Scene Cleaner

Note:

Available in Photoshop Elements 2024 and earlier versions only.

Use Photomerge Scene Cleaner to create the perfect scenic photo from multiple photos. For example, you can eliminate unwanted elements like tourists that inadvertently wandered into the scenery.

Note:

For best results, use images from the same scene taken from the same angle.

  1. Do one of the following to select 2 - 10 photos you want to use for the Photomerge Scene Cleaner:

    • In the Elements Organizer, select the photos.
    • In Photoshop Elements, open the photos.

  2. In the Guided room, choose Photomerge > Photomerge Scene Cleaner.

  3. Select the best photo and then drag it from the Photo Bin to the Final window.

    This photo becomes the base image for the final photo.

  4. Click a photo in the Photo Bin (color-coded to help you keep track).

    It appears in the Source window.

  5. Do any of the following to add or remove areas from the Final window:

    • To remove an area, use the Pencil tool to mark the area in the Final window.
    • To add an area to the Final window, use the Pencil tool to mark the area in the Source window.
    • To fine-tune the final image, use the Pencil tool to add additional content or the Eraser tool to remove content.

  6. (Optional) Select one of the following:

     Show Strokes  Shows your Pencil strokes in the source image.

     Show Regions  Reveals the selected regions in the final image.

  7. (Optional) If there’s a problem with the photos aligning properly, click the Advanced Options arrow to access the following:

    Alignment Tool Corrects the alignment of the multiple photos. Click the Alignment Tool to place three markers in the source image and three markers in the final image. Drag markers to similar areas in each photo and then click Align Photos.

    note: Photomerge Scene Cleaner uses auto alignment. The Alignment Tool should only be used if the automatic alignment didn’t produce the result you want.

    Pixel Blending Blends pixels using different options. Experiment to see whether this option improves the photo or not.

  8. (Optional) Select other photos in the Photo Bin for use in the Source window and repeat step 5.

     

  9. After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:

    • Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
    • Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
    • Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

A. Dragging a photo to the Final window 

B. Using the Pencil tool to the mark area to be replaced in the Final window 

C. Result in the Final window

Photomerge Compose

Note:

Available in Photoshop Elements 2024 and earlier versions only.

The Photomerge Compose feature enables you to replace portions of an image. For example, can select a person from one photo and add the selection to another photograph. You need two images - a source and a destination. You can select an area, crop it from the source image, and then paste it into the destination image, and then adjust it for proportionality and color for the most natural outcome.

  1. Select two photos in the Photo Bin, and then click Photomerge > Photomerge compose.

  2. Drag the image from which you want to move an object or person into the photo editing area. Then, click one of the Selection tools, make a selection, and then click Next.

    Note:

    Use the Selection Modes to refine selected areas.

  3. The portion selected in the previous step is pasted on the image that you want to move the selection to. Use the mouse to move the selection around, and drag the coach marks to resize it to ensure that the pasted content is in proportion with the rest of the photo.

    Click Next.

    Note:

    You can also hide/reveal portions of the selection using the available brushes.

  4. Now adjust the tonal and color values of the pasted content to ensure that it matches with the rest of the image. Try to get the most natural selection possible. To perform this in one step automatically, click Auto Match Color Tone.

  5. After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:

    • Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
    • Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
    • Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

Photomerge Faces

Note:

Available in Photoshop Elements 2024 and earlier versions only.

Use Photomerge Faces to combine multiple facial features to create one composite face.

  1. Do one of the following to select the face images you want to use as source images for Photomerge Faces:

    • In Elements Organizer, select the face image photos.
    • Open the face image photos.

  2. In the Guided room, choose Photomerge > Photomerge Faces.

  3. Pick a face photo as your base image, and drag it from the Photo Bin to the Final window.

  4. Click another image in the Photo Bin, and click the Alignment tool. Place the three alignment markers on the eyes and mouth on the source image and the final image, and click Align Photos.

  5. Click other photos in the Photo Bin (color coded to help you keep track). Use the Pencil tool to mark the areas that you would like to merge into the final photo. To fine-tune the final image, use the Pencil tool to add additional content, or the Eraser tool to remove content.

  6. Set the following:

    • Show Strokes Click this option to show the Pencil strokes you marked in the source image.
    • Show Regions Click this option to reveal the selected regions in the final image.

  7. After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:

    • Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
    • Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
    • Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

Photomerge Exposure

Use Photomerge Exposure to efficiently handle scenes in photos with exposure challenges. You can blend two photos together to get a perfectly exposed photo. For example, if you have a photo with a window in the background and you want a perfect photo with the following properties:

  • A good exposure of the scenery outside the window.
  • A good exposure of the darker objects inside the room.

In such a scenario, you often end up with either overexposed scenery outside the window or underexposed objects inside the room.

To ensure that you get a perfect photo, do the following:

  • Take two or more photos of the same scene with different exposures. For best results, take the photos at different exposure value, with minimum shake. For example:
    • You can take two or more photos with the flash turned on to properly expose the subject (the objects inside the room).
    • You can then take one photo with the flash turned off to properly expose the background (the scenery outside the window).

Tip: You can use Exposure Bracketing in your camera to capture the same subject with a number of shots with different exposure settings.

  • Blend the photos to create a perfectly exposed photo.

Photomerge Exposure facilitates blending the two photos together to get a perfectly exposed photo.

Photomerge Exposure can be done in the following modes:

Note:

To obtain best results while using the Automatic mode, use photos that are shot at different exposure values, using Exposure Bracketing. To obtain best results while using the manual mode, use photos shot with flash turned on and flash turned off.

Automatic Photomerge Exposure

You can select the required photos from Elements Organizer, and select and deselect the photos through the Photo Bin.

  1. In the Guided room, click Combine* > Photomerge Exposure, and then do one of the following:

    • In Elements Organizer, select a minimum of two and a maximum of ten photos, and in the Guided room, choose Combine* > Photomerge Exposure.
    • Open the required files using File > Open.
      • Select Show Open Files In The Photo Bin to view all the opened files.
      • Select a minimum of two and a maximum of ten photos from the Photo Bin.
      • In the Guided room, choose Combine* > Photomerge Exposure.

    Photoshop Elements displays the selected photos.

  2. In the Photomerge Exposure, select Automatic.

  3. Select one of the following options:

    Simple Blending This option does not allow you to change the Photomerge Exposure settings. Selecting this option displays the merged photo.

    Smart Blending Selecting this option enables you to adjust the settings using the sliders. You can view the final photo based on the settings you provide. You can adjust the following settings:

    Highlight Enables you to increase or decrease the details that are in the highlight.

    Shadows Enables you to lighten or darken the shadows.

    Saturation Enables you to change the intensity of the color.

  4. After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:

    • Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
    • Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
    • Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

Manual Photomerge Exposure

Note:

For Photomerge Exposure, if you are using photos that have been taken with your flash on, then manual Photomerge Exposure is the default mode.

  1. In the Guided room, click Combine* > Photomerge Exposure, and then do one of the following:

    • In Elements Organizer, select a minimum of two and a maximum of ten photos, and in the Guided room, choose Combine* > Photomerge Exposure.
    • Open the required files using File > Open.
      • Select Show Open Files In The Photo Bin to view all the opened files.
      • Select a minimum of two and a maximum of ten photos from the Photo Bin.
      • In the Guided room, choose Combine* > Photomerge Exposure.

    Photoshop Elements displays the selected photos.

  2. In the Photomerge panel, select Manual.

    The first image in the Photo Bin is displayed as the source photo. You can select an image from the Photo Bin as the final photo.

  3. Select exposed regions from the source image:

    • Click Pencil Tool and use the mouse to paint exposed regions of the source image. Change the source photo, and select regions from this photo if necessary.
    • Click Eraser Tool and use the mouse to paint over any regions you have chosen to expose - this action will deselect regions selected by the Pencil Tool.

    You can now view a final image with different regions copied from different source photos above the initially selected final photo.

  4. Set the following:

    Show Strokes Click to show your Pencil strokes in the source image.

    Show Regions Click to reveal the selected regions in the final image.

  5. Additionally:

    • Change the transparency of these selected regions to blend them properly with the background by using the Opacity Slider.
    • Select Edge Blending to smoothen the blended edges.
    Note:

    Opacity Slider affects only those regions that are selected from the currently displayed source image. Change to a different source image if you want to change the transparency of the regions selected from the other images. It remembers the value used for a particular image.

  6. To correct the alignment of multiple photos, select Advanced Option, and click Alignment Tool. Place three markers in the source image and three markers in the final image, then click Align Photos. Click Done.

  7. After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:

    • Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
    • Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
    • Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

Photomerge Panorama

Use the Photomerge Panorama Guided Effect to stitch multiple pictures together. The pictures must have common, overlapping regions from the scene photographed for the stitching process to work best.

Note:

For more tips on creating awesome panoramas, see Creating Photomerge Panoramas.

  1. Select multiple images with overlapping content from the Photo Bin, and then choose Guided room > Combine* > Photomerge Panorama.

  2. In the Photomerge Panorama panel, from the Panorama Settings area, choose the pan motion / layout settings for your images. Click the triangle to see the options available.

    Auto Panorama Analyzes the source images and applies either a Perspective or Cylindrical layout, depending on which produces a better photomerge.

    Perspective Creates a consistent composition by designating one of the source images (by default, the middle image) as the reference image. The other images are then transformed (repositioned, stretched, or skewed as necessary) so that overlapping content layer is matched.

    Cylindrical Reduces the “bow-tie” distortion that can occur with the Perspective layout by displaying individual images as on an unfolded cylinder. Overlapping content is still matched. The reference image is placed at the center. This is best suited for creating wide panoramas.

    Spherical Aligns and transforms the images as if they were for mapping the inside a sphere. If you have taken a set of images that cover 360 degrees, use this for 360 degree panoramas. You might also use Spherical to produce nice panoramic results with other file sets.

    Collage Aligns the layers and matches overlapping content and transforms (rotate or scale) any of the source layers.

    Reposition Aligns the layers and matches overlapping content, but does not transform (stretch or skew) any of the source images.

  3. Choose the Settings checkboxes to fine tune the appearance of the panorama that will be created.

    Blend Images Together  Finds the optimal borders between the images and creates seams based on those borders, and to color match the images. With Blend Images Together turned off, a simple rectangular blend is performed. This may be preferable if you intend to retouch the blending masks by hand.

    Vignette Removal  Removes and performs exposure compensation in images that have darkened edges caused by lens flaws or improper lens shading.

    Geometric Distortion Correction  Compensates for barrel, pincushion, or fisheye distortion.

    Content Aware Fill Transparent Areas  Seamlessly fill the transparent areas with similar image content nearby. 

  4. Click Create Panorama. Photoshop Elements analyzes the images selected and starts the process of creating a panorama.

  5. When Photoshop Elements creates a panorama, the new image is displayed in the Expert view.

    Note:

    A message asks whether you want to fill the panorama edges that are left transparent. If you click Yes, Photoshop Elements fills the edges with content-aware fill swathes.

  6. After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:

    • Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
    • Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
    • Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

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