Tezjezzme aka Shari has shown a strong desire to learn the blending technique that I use. I thought I would use the forum to do this in case anybody else was interested. Im going to use one of my most recent post (The Look-Out) for this lesson.. I choose this one because it would be perfect for a beginner as a first project. I would suggest using my original photos for this project, which I give my permission to do as long as you honor the copyright. First thing I want to mention is that Im not good at putting my thoughts down on paper so if there is anything you dont understand just tell me and Ill try to explain it another way. Photoshop has always been my software of choice. I do not know if this will work with anything else. Ok.. Lets get started.. I think the hardest part about blending is finding photos that make a good match.. If your working on realism then you have to be concerned about matching lighting, shadows etc. Not always easy to do, but if you are not sure of a match post it here in the forum. I have and they have helped me more then once. The two photos I have used here were taken on the same day at different locations. It was not intended to be a masterpiece. I was simply trying to make a couple of photos more interesting. I going to assume you know some basic Photoshop.. Also. I work with a Sony PC so if youre using a Mac some of the keys might be a little different. This most important thing is never work on a original photo. I usually like to work with an 8x10 document at 300dpi so Ill have the option to print. When I refer to the menu bar you will find it at your upper left corner under Adobe Photoshop. Take both of the original photos and drag them over to the new document. I had the Seagull layer as the top layer. Resize them using the (menu bar) Edit/FreeTransform/Scale. Make sure you hold down the shift key on the seagull layer to keep its proportions I resized the layer with the leaves to fill the 8x10. The seagull layer I had lowered the opacity so I could place and resize the bird before I started blending. Once thats done bring the opacity back up to 100 percent.. Next make sure the seagull layer is highlighted then go to (menu bar) Layer/Add Layer Mask/Reveal All.. Click on the Gradient Tool and choose the ForeGround to Transparent Gradient. You should see the mask icon appear on the seagull layer along with the square box with the white circle which means you are in masking mode.. Also under the (menu bar) on the right of where you selected the Color Gradient you will see five boxes which are different types of gradients. I usually use the Radial. Before you start make sure you set the color swatches on the tool bar back to the default colors Blk/Wht. Ok. I guess were ready to start.. To get the feel of blending, start taking the Gradient Tool and drag it across the image. Use long and short drags to see the difference. If nothing happens reverse your Blk/Wht swatches. One color takes away, the other puts it back on.. In areas where you want to keep or bring back some sharp edges use the eraser while still in mask mode. Now all you need is some practice. Try different size strokes with the gradient tool. Sometimes you might have to repeat the stroke more then once.. If you blended too much simply undo or reverse the Blk/Wht swatches to put some back. Try different opacities in the gradient menu bar.. Use the eraser tool in mask mode to see what it does.. I think I thought of everything. Post your results here if you wish for I would very much like to see them. Feel free to ask any questions. If anybody else can add to this feel free for I do not claim to be an expert. I can only teach what works for me.. Hope This Helps. If you wish to see other examples you can find some in my gallery. http://www.renderosity.com/gallery.ezByArtist=Yes&Artist=BusyB967 Ed P