How to Fade a Photo to Transparent with Photoshop Elements - Full Tutorial for Beginners
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Photos:Â
Christmas Tree: https://pixabay.com/photos/christmas-tree-presents-gifts-4695973/
Project File:Â fade to transparent.zip
YouTube Video:Â https://youtu.be/kAzFMfk-vwg
Step-by-Step:
Make New File in Photoshop Elements - Photo size 4x6.
Place Christmas tree photo into new file - resize and move towards left side so that about 1/2 of project is coverd by photo.
If the christmas tree is tilted use the ctrl+t shortcut key to open the transform options, then use the Skew option and move the top of the photo until the tree is vertical. If you want you can drag over a guideline from the left side as a reference.
Make a duplicate of this layer and hide the duplicate.
Add a Layer Mask to the photo layer by clicking on the Layer Mask button.
Use the Gradient Tool. Set the gradient at Black to White and check the Reverse checkbox so that the gradient is now White to Black.
Holding down the Shift key drag a gradient from the middle of the christmas tree to just before the right side of the photo. The photo should now fade out on the right side.Â
If you hide the white background layer you will see the fade to transparency effect.
Show the duplicate photo layer and using the Polygonal Lasso tool make a selection around the tree and packages.Â
Use Refine Edge to tighten the edge around the tree branches. Save to New Layer with Layer Mask.
Use the Burn Tool on the layer mask side of the photo layer to clean up the layer mask.
If needed use a Levels Adjustment Layer to adjust the levels in the dark part of the photo. Add a gradient to the layer mask so that the adjustment is only visible on the dark parts of the image.
If needed add a Levels Adjustment Layer to control the levels for the tree layer.Â
If needed add a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer to increase the colors in the photo.
You can how add a photo right above the white background layer to complete your project.