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How to Make a Before & After Picture in Photoshop

Why create before and afters? This is a great technique to use if you teach photo editing or have a photography blog.

Since you can create a before and after image with any two photos, the technique can also be used to showcase weight loss, skincare, makeup, and more.

How to Make a Before and After Photoshop Image

  1. Open Photoshop. Navigate to “File” > “Open” in the top menu bar. Choose the “before” photo from your files, select it, and then click “Open.”
  2. Repeat the process to open the “after” photo. Navigate to “File” > “Open,” locate your “after” photo, select it, and click “Open.” Now, both images should be open in separate tabs within Photoshop.
  3. To accommodate both images on the same canvas, you need to increase the canvas size of one of the images. Click on the tab for the “before” photo. From the top menu, choose “Image” > “Canvas Size.”
  4. In the Canvas Size window, if you wish to align the images horizontally (side-by-side), you need to double the width of the canvas. If you wish to stack the images vertically (one on top of the other), double the height of the canvas. Ensure that you’re changing the values in the correct measurement units (inches, pixels, etc.)
  5. In the “Anchor” section, select the direction where you want the original “before” image to be positioned. For instance, if you’re creating a vertical (stacked) before-and-after image, click on the arrow pointing upwards. This ensures the “before” image will be placed at the top. Once you’re satisfied with your settings, click “OK.”
  6. Now, select the “after” image by clicking on its tab. Press Ctrl/Command + A to select the entire image.
  7. Choose the “Move” tool from the toolbar on the left side of the screen. It looks like a cross with arrowheads.
  8. Click on the “after” image, then drag it onto the tab for the “before” image. Without releasing the mouse, drag it onto the canvas and place it into the empty space.
  9. Use the arrow keys to fine-tune the position of the “after” image if needed.
  10. Finally, press Ctrl/Command + S to save your before-and-after image. You can choose the format and name for your file before confirming the save.

Remember that Photoshop offers various options to adjust images and align them perfectly, such as the Transform tools and alignment options. These can be helpful in getting your before-and-after images to look just right. Don’t have access to Photoshop? For all your image editing needs, try Shutterstock Create.


Cover image via Africa Studio

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