How to Open Images as Layers in Photoshop

Learn how to open multiple images as layers in the same Photoshop document, and how to place more images into your document as you need them!

Whether we're compositing images or designing layouts, we often need to load two or more images into the same Photoshop document. And each image needs to appear on its own layer within that document. But that's not how Photoshop works when we open multiple files. Instead, each file opens in its own separate document, forcing us to move the images ourselves from one document to another.

But there is a way to open two or more images at once into the same Photoshop document using a command called Load Layers into Stack. And we can add more files to the document as we need them using a different command known as Place Embedded. In this video, I show you how both of these features work. We also look at a few options in Photoshop's Preferences that make placing images into your document even faster. And at the end of the video, I show you the steps I used to blend my images into a simple double exposure effect.

► Get the images used in this tutorial:

► Now that you know how to load images as layers, here's how to blend images together:

► Video chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:35 - How to open multiple images as layers into a document
2:28 - How to place an image into a document
3:28 - Placing smart objects vs pixel layers
4:24 - How to convert a smart object to a layer
5:10 - Photoshop's Preferences for faster image placing
6:20 - How I created the double exposure effect

#photoshoptutorial #photoshop #photoshop_tutorial

[PhotoshopEssentialsChannel]

HI everyone, Steve here. In this video, I show you how easy it is to open multiple images as layers into the same Photoshop document (0:35), and how to place more images into the document as you need them (2:28). We learn the difference between placing a smart object vs a normal layer (3:28), and we look at some options in Photoshop's Preferences that make placing images into your document even faster (5:10). And at the end of the video, I show you the steps I used to blend my images into a simple double exposure effect (6:20). If you like this video, please Like, Share and Subscribe! As always, thanks so much for watching!

[Randy-jply]

Finally someone smart enough to Fisher Price this enough for me to understand and follow, and do.

[tonybarone]

WOW!!! That is the proper way to explain to, not only a beginner, but an 82 year old guy who still loves to learn, Glad to have found you and looking forward to watch all your videos. Thank you.

[GeminiSeven]

Hello Steve, I am new to your channel and you have answered the million dollar question for me in this video. I have spent many hours going through videos telling me to just drag and drop images and everything will be ok and having no luck and no one to help. Finally a Google search brought me to your website and the answer and I thank you so much for stepping through this simple process and allowing us to learn these basics. I look forward to checking out your library of Photoshop videos and learn from you. Take care and thanks so much!!!!

[PePaskari]

I use photoshop on and off, and tend to forget techniques I do not use often. This tutorial solved my problem. It is extremely well planned and executed, top notch video production, Miles above the average Photoshop tutorial. Bravo, and thanks!

[Daggobear]

I tell my creative and non-creative people this is the channel to follow. Thank you.

[frankcich]

Excellent tutorial, Steve. Miss hearing from you more often. You are still the best at explaining processes ... clear, precise, even tempo. Thank you.

[MSTAMRO_Organic_Skincare]

Wow, amazing. I am an absolute beginner in photoshop. You explain and show everything so that I am able to follow. Excellent tutorials. So happy to have found you. Thank you,

[monsterwwe]

Forget about this video
This guy’s voice the historic thing right here!

[palamz]

just a tip to not go into select and then deselect. Use ctrl + d

[sadesign]

Honestly that was one of the most understandable, intuitive tutorial videos I have ever seen.

[WeThePpleForThePple]

The clearest, most easily understood tutorial about the photoshop subject matter I've heard so far. I tru;y hope you have many nore tutorials I can watch. Thanks for your work!!

[marcomark]

The greatest Photoshop teacher THANK YOU!

[petermantice]

I echo what o thers have said. You are the best PS teacher I have found on youtube and there are a lot as you know. I also wish I'd see more of you but what you have here is great. Even the instructions you have on your blog beats the others. Thanks from a relative beginner.

[travelbygungahlia]

thank you so much for your easy paced and easy to learn video. big big thank you

[aquarioamico]

Thank you. This was exactly what I needed and short enough to keep my attention.

[fahadkuwait]

Clear and comprehensive. Thanks so much

[mcrawford]

So appreciate your videos with time stamps and your clear concise teaching. Thank you!

[MrKeithcl]

I have been trying to learn how to do this for ages. Thank you so much your video was very easy to follow.

[arielhaiku]

The best Photoshop Tutorials ever! Thank you.