How to create a fun see-through frame effect in Photoshop

How to create a fun see-through frame effect in Photoshop

The see-through frame effect creates the illusion that you can look right through a picture frame to the scene behind it. This clever photography trick requires just two photos taken from the same position and some basic Photoshop layer masking.

The technique works by combining one photo of you holding the frame with another shot of the empty background, creating a magical window effect.

Watch the Tutorial

Video by PHLEARN. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Essential Tips for the See-Through Frame Effect

These key techniques will help you capture the perfect shots and blend them seamlessly in Photoshop.

  • Use a tripod and lock your camera position to ensure both photos align perfectly when combined
  • Switch to manual focus after setting focus to prevent the camera from refocusing between shots
  • Set your camera to manual mode to maintain consistent exposure between the two photographs
  • Select a frame with thin borders to make the selection process easier and more precise
  • Use the polygonal lasso tool to trace inside the frame edges, clicking slightly inward for clean results

Explore more techniques for creating transparent and ghostly effects in your photos.

Create a Ghostly Image Effect in Photoshop
In this engaging Photoshop tutorial, you will discover how to create a ghostly effect that transforms a person into a transparent figure, resembling a ghost. This technique is perfect for adding an eerie vibe to your images. You'll begin by selecting the person in your photo and adjusting the layers to achieve the desired transparency. The step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process of refining the edges and enhancing the overall look to ensure a realistic ghost appearance. By
Create See-Through Ghost Photos in Photoshop
This tutorial offers a straightforward guide to creating an eerie see-through ghost photo using just one image. Perfect for beginners, it simplifies the process while ensuring you can achieve impressive results. You will learn essential techniques that allow you to manipulate your image effectively. The tutorial walks you through each step, ensuring that even those new to Photoshop can follow along with ease. By the end, you'll be able to transform an ordinary photo into something hauntingly b
Cut Out Glass in Photoshop with Blending Modes
Achieving a realistic cut-out of transparent objects, like glass bottles, can be a significant challenge in Photoshop. Traditional masking often struggles to maintain the natural light, shadow, and reflective qualities inherent in such items, leading to flat or artificial results. This video tutorial offers an advanced technique to meticulously mask transparent objects into new backgrounds. It leverages the power of blending modes and strategic layer organization to perfectly integrate the obje
Generate a Perspective Motion effect with Photoshop
In this detailed tutorial, PiXimperfect demonstrates how to create a dynamic perspective motion effect in Photoshop. The lesson focuses on adding motion blur that aligns with the perspective of an object, making it appear as if it's moving rapidly through space. Using multiple paths to capture the perspective, you'll learn how to apply blur effects along these lines to simulate realistic motion. The tutorial covers advanced techniques with Path Blur to not only create motion but also enhance th

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

You might also like

9 Photoshop Tools That Still Outperform AI for Precision and Control

AI generates images from descriptions, but it cannot hand you the brush. When a project demands exact colors, editable text, precise retouching, or seamless mockups, Photoshop's native tools remain the more reliable choice — not because AI is weak, but because these workflows require control that generative tools simply...

How to Create a Vintage Film Look in Photoshop Using Adjustment Layers

Aging a photo convincingly takes more than a preset — it requires control over highlights, color channels, and grain working together. This walkthrough covers a fully manual, non-destructive workflow for building a vintage film effect in Photoshop, using Color Range selections, Smart Filters, a Grain adjustment layer, and per-channel...

How to Use the Object Selection Tool in Photoshop for Faster Edits

The Object Selection tool lets you isolate parts of an image with a simple drag, and it becomes even more useful when paired with adjustment layers and layer masks. These techniques are practical for targeted color edits, texture work, and building selections that cover multiple elements like a flower, stem,...

How to Set Up Bleed and Crop Marks for Print in Photoshop

Sending a print file without proper bleed is one of the most common mistakes in print production. A bleed — typically 1/8 inch of extra canvas on all sides — prevents white slivers from appearing when a printer trims the finished piece. Photoshop's Canvas Size tool and AI-powered...

How to Use Camera Raw's Feathered Sky Mask to Create a Natural Glow Effect

Camera Raw now lets you feather and expand AI-generated masks directly in the masking panel — a feature that makes it possible to create a convincing light bloom effect without any manual brush work. This tutorial covers the full editing process for a dark, underexposed landscape shot, with the feathered...

How to Build a Photo Manipulation in Photoshop: A 4-Step Compositing Workflow

Building a convincing photo manipulation from scratch requires more than creativity — it demands a repeatable process. This breakdown covers the four core steps used to composite multiple images into a single cohesive scene, from rough layout through exposure matching, color balancing, and shadow painting. Watch the Video Practical Tips These...

You’ve successfully subscribed to Photoshop Roadmap
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.