Combining Images into a Panoramic using Photomerge

As we well know, Photoshop is loaded with a ton of features. One that I have found useful is the Photomerge feature. I use this feature when I want to combine two or more images. For example, I can create a large panoramic of multiple images, giving my audience a much better feel for the incredible beauty surrounding me when I’m out on a photo shoot, instead of being limited to the panoramic setting on the camera.

This feature works best with photos taken from the same spot, but moving the camera to the right or left of the original image to catch more of the scenery (or whatever you may be taking a picture of). Inside Photoshop, I use the Photomerge option to combine these images into a panoramic.

Let me step you through the process from within Photoshop. This example shows merging two images, but you can use more than just two images.

1) Open the images you want to combine. This step isn’t required, but I find it easier and more straightforward to open and view the images prior to merging them.

Below are the two images I am going to merge together. Notice there is a part of the image duplicated in both images. Some duplication within the images aids in merging the photos together.

Two Images to combine

This opens the dialog box that lets you select the images you want to merge. Since I open the images prior to selecting Photomerge, I select Open Files at this point. If you don’t open the image prior to selecting Photomerge, you can select Browse and navigate to the desired images. You can also select the desired layout on this screen. I usually stick with the Auto layout, but other useful options are available. The interactive option gives you an opportunity to align the images together after Photoshop has aligned them.

Photomerge Dialog Box

After clicking OK in the Photomerge dialog box, Photoshop begins merging the desired images. You will notice several windows flash open, then close again during this process. If Photoshop is unable to merge an image (cannot match up adjacent photos), it will give you a warning message.

When the process is complete, a new window opens with the images merged together.

Merged Image

At this point, I will crop the merged image to delete any extraneous space around the perimeter of the image. The final result is:

Cropped Merge Image

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, this process works best with images taken from the same spot and with some duplication in the images. I have used this feature where I did not follow these recommendations and the resulting image is less than satisfactory. It is obviously a merged image with a noticeable ‘line’ where the images come together.

So, when taking your panorama pics use your body as a tripod. Keep one foot firmly planted and rotate your body as you take photos in a 360-degree cirlce. Remember to duplicate at least part of the scene from one image to the next. And most of all, have fun!