Issue with Auto-Blend Layers

[polarwoc]

I refer to this thread and used the first and last pics. Earlier, when I tried following this video tutorial, it all worked fine. But when I apply it here, it results in this:

Obviously, the blending did not happen as expected. I tried using "Panorama" as well as "Stacked Layers" for "Blend Methods" optioin in Auto-Blend Layers.
There is another tutorial from BlueLightningTV that describes a similar method. It just won't work on my system. Any idea what could have gone wrong? I use Photoshop CC 2017 V 19.0

 

[polarwoc]

@HuckinFell You have attempted a similar Thanos image before over here and did a great job on it. Mind sharing how you did it?

 

[Eggy]

The auto blend function doesn't work well with a layer mask as in your Background copy layer nor in layer 1 copy!
- Select your face and drag it to your statue image, reduce opacity to adjust the position. Do NOT use a layer mask to adjust the face. This is a rare occasion you'll need to use the eraser tool set to 100% hardness!
- Press and hold ctrl and click on the face and when the marching ants appear use modify/contract and use at least 5 px.(depending on the image)
- Make the statue layer active and press del to delete the contracted face part from the statue layer.
- Select both layers and use auto blend...

 

[polarwoc]

Thanks for the reply, @Eggy

The auto blend function doesn't work well with a layer mask as in your Background copy layer nor in layer 1 copy!

I have followed the steps you described to the letter. I show how my layers look like just one step before choosing the Auto-Blend Layers option. Only Layers "Background Copy" and "Layer 1 Copy" are visible and selected. The Mask on "Layer 1 Copy" appeared after Ok is selected in Auto-Blend Layers window. The 4 steps seen in History window after Auto-Blend Layers happened automatically and were triggered by Auto-Blend Layers.

 

[Eggy]

On top of the two selected files (Background copy and Layer 1 copy) I don't see the merged layer
Also I didn't realised the used pictures were small so I used modify/contract = 2 px



(I used George Clooney's face)

 

[Eggy]

And I do realise that the layer masks are coming automaticly...so my mistake...
I do these things on auto pilot and without looking at my layer panel...

 

[polarwoc]

On top of the two selected files (Background copy and Layer 1 copy) I don't see the merged layer

Post 1 above shows my Merged layer because it is a screenshot after Auto-Blend is applied, while Post 4 above shows screenshot before Auto-Blend is applied.

Your Auto-Blend came out as expected and works well. This is my result immediately after applying Auto-Blend:

Definitely, I am doing something wrong.

 

[Eggy]

I'm baffled...
I can' explain it...
This stuff was the first thing I learned when starting PS...

 

[Eggy]

Just another attempt, when making the selection on the face using the lasso tool, did you applied 'feathering' + amount of pixels on it?


because feathering 3 px or more and contracting 2 px would make a blend impossible...

I'm still puzzled.

 

[polarwoc]

Fantastic troubleshooting, @Eggy! You are a master!
Thank you very much. I usually always have a 3 Px min feather while using the Lasso tool. That feathering was the reason why I was getting a resulting double selection lines in the final output. Once I changed it to 0 Px feathering on Lasso tool, I got the expected result.

This solves the mystery that had been troubling me for days. Thanks again.

 

[Eggy]

It kept bugging me so no problem...

 

[HuckinFell]

@HuckinFell You have attempted a similar Thanos image before over here and did a great job on it. Mind sharing how you did it?

Hey @polarwoc

Sorry I didn't reply sooner - I've had friends staying with me this weekend and haven't been near a computer!

I'm afraid that (as before) my technique is so free-hand and amateur that I would struggle to describe my process (and that's a generous word for the steps I take!!!).

Also, I work in GIMP so any steps I do take are unlikely to translate well to PS.