Have you ever been at a gathering and wished you could place a friend into a picture, even though they couldn’t make it? Or perhaps you want to include someone in a memory but missed the chance to take a photo together? With the right tools, you can add someone to your photos with ease, all from your iPhone, and the best part is—it’s totally free!
Many people assume that adding someone to an image requires expensive software or intricate design skills. Fortunately, there are several apps and techniques available that let you work your Photoshop magic on your iPhone without breaking the bank. Let’s jump into how you can photoshop someone into a picture on iPhone for free.
Getting Started With iPhone Apps
Before you start the editing process, it’s important to pick the right tools. Luckily, several free apps available on the App Store allow you to manipulate and combine photos with ease. These apps are user-friendly and ideal for beginners, but they also have enough advanced features to satisfy those who want more control over their edits.
While there are many apps to choose from, we’ll focus on a few of the best free options that provide quality results. Let’s take a look at how each one works.
Using Photoshop Express
Photoshop Express is a free and accessible option for iPhone users looking to do some quick editing. Although it’s not the full Photoshop software, it’s a powerful tool that comes with many of the features you’d expect from the brand. It offers various photo manipulation tools that are easy to use, even for beginners.
Steps to photoshop someone into a picture using Photoshop Express:
- Download and install Photoshop Express from the App Store.
- Open the app and select the photo where you want to add someone.
- Use the Cutout Tool to carefully cut out the person you want to insert from another image.
- Once you’ve cut out the subject, select the background image where you’ll place them.
- Paste the cut-out image into the new background and adjust the positioning.
- Use the app’s blend tools to make the edges of the cut-out blend smoothly with the background.
- Adjust the lighting and shadows using the app’s adjustment tools to match the cut-out with the new photo.
Photoshop Express is an easy-to-use option that doesn’t require professional knowledge. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone in need of a quick fix.
Working With Pixlr
Pixlr is another excellent tool for photoshopping someone into a picture on your iPhone for free. It offers a clean and intuitive interface with a range of editing features. Pixlr is known for its layering capabilities, making it easy to manipulate different elements of an image.
Steps to photoshop someone into a picture using Pixlr:
- Download and install Pixlr from the App Store.
- Open the app and select your background image.
- Tap the Add Image button and choose the image of the person you want to cut out.
- Use the Cutout Tool to select and remove the background from the person you are adding.
- Position the cut-out image on the background and adjust the size using pinch gestures.
- Use the Blend and Shadow Tools to make the insertion appear natural.
- If needed, adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of both images to create a seamless match.
Pixlr is particularly great if you’re looking for more advanced features in a free app. Its layering capabilities make it an excellent choice for users who want to experiment with different elements.
Using Snapseed for Precision
Snapseed is another popular editing app that can help you photoshop someone into a picture. While it doesn’t have the same cutout functionality as Photoshop Express or Pixlr, it’s a powerful app for detailed photo adjustments and editing.
Steps to photoshop someone into a picture using Snapseed:
- Download Snapseed from the App Store and open it.
- Start by selecting your background image.
- Tap the Tools button, and then select Double Exposure.
- Choose the image with the person you want to insert.
- Position and resize the image to fit with your background.
- Use the Blend Mode option to adjust how the two images interact.
- Finally, use Snapseed’s Adjustment Tools to tweak the brightness, contrast, and other settings to make the final image look as natural as possible.
Snapseed is perfect for those who want a more in-depth editing process and need fine control over how the images blend together.
Tips for Seamless Editing
Now that you know how to use apps like Photoshop Express, Pixlr, and Snapseed, let’s dive into some tips to make the process of adding someone to a photo go smoothly. Even with free apps, there are ways to ensure your edits look polished and professional.
Matching Lighting and Shadows
One of the most challenging parts of photoshopping someone into a picture is making sure they fit with the lighting and shadows of the background. When your cut-out image doesn’t match the lighting of the background, it can appear unnatural and out of place.
Here’s how to make sure your image blends well with the background:
- Pay attention to light sources in the original photo and match the direction of the light on your cut-out subject.
- Adjust the shadows on the cut-out image using your app’s shadow tools to match the lighting in the background photo.
- Use the brightness and contrast tools to help the cut-out person match the overall feel of the background image.
Fine-Tuning Edges
Once you have placed your subject into the image, it’s important to work on the edges to avoid harsh lines around the cut-out. These lines can be distracting and make the image look poorly edited.
To fix this:
- Use the feathering tools in your app to soften the edges of the cut-out image.
- Zoom in and carefully erase any remaining parts of the original background that weren’t properly removed during the cutout process.
- You can also blur the edges slightly for a smoother transition.
Using Layers for Precision
If you’re using an app like Pixlr, working with layers can make the editing process more flexible and precise. Layers allow you to adjust different parts of the image separately, so you can tweak the subject, background, and other elements individually.
- Use layers to move the person around without affecting the background.
- If the subject looks too sharp compared to the background, use a blur effect on the subject layer to make the scene look more natural.
Final Thoughts
Adding someone to a picture on your iPhone doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With free apps like Photoshop Express, Pixlr, and Snapseed, you have all the tools you need to create a seamless, polished result. By paying attention to small details like lighting, shadows, and blending techniques, you can make your edits look professional without needing to hire a designer.
Editing photos on your phone has become more accessible than ever, and the apps mentioned above provide all the features you need to take your photo manipulation skills to the next level. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be able to create perfect pictures that include all the people and memories you want to capture. Happy editing!