Photomerge is a function you'll find in any of the Creative Studio, or CS, versions of Photoshop. It also exists in Photoshop Elements, the lower-cost version of Photoshop. Photomerge lets you blend a series of multiple photos into one panorama, like the one in Figure A. Here's how it works.

FIGURE A


You can create a panaroma like this without any special cameras or lens. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Step 1: Take your photos
Position yourself in front of your subject, then start snapping pictures from left to right until you've shot as much as want to include in the panorama.

There are a few things to remember to be sure the finished product looks its best.

First, lock your aperture and white balance settings, if you can. This keeps the color and lighting consistent between each piece of the puzzle you'll later assemble. Second, a tripod is a huge help, but you can do without one. I took the shots that make up Figure A by just standing in place and pivoting. Lastly, each of your photos should overlap by as much as one-third. This will help Photoshop blend them together more easily.

Step 2: Blend your photos
So, you've loaded your picture files onto your computer. Fire up Photoshop, then Select File->Automate->Photomerge, as you see in Figure B.

FIGURE B


Select File->Automate->Photomerge to get started. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Of course, Figure B shows how this looks on a Mac. If you're using Windows, you have my condolences ;-) -- but it works the exact same way.

When the Photomerge dialog box pops up, find the photos you took earlier. You can either select the pictures as individual files, or just select the whole folder, as you see in Figures C and D.

FIGURE C


You can select your photos individually or select an entire folder. Roll over picture for a larger image.

FIGURE D


Selecting an entire folder at once might save you a little time. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Next, you'll see the list of picture files come up. Be sure the option to Attempt to Automatically Arrange Source Images is checked, like in Figure E.

FIGURE E


Checking the "Attempt to Automatically Arrange..." box will make your life a lot easier. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Now, click OK and watch Photoshop work its magic. Well, sort of. Photoshop opens all your files and tries to match up them according to repeated patterns of pixels it finds at the edges of each picture. Chances are it will ask you for a little help, as you see in Figure F.