PNG editing guide

How to use your PNGs.

Add the PNG as a separate layer, then position it and control its strength. The same principles work in any editor with layers, masks and blend modes.

Start here

Start with two separate layers.

Unzip your download and open your photograph. Add a collection PNG to the same document using drag-and-drop, copy-and-paste, or your editor’s import command. Check that it appears on its own layer in the Layers panel.

Select the PNG layer to change its blend mode and opacity. The blend mode usually starts as Normal; opacity controls how strongly the layer shows.

Use the method you already know.

Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Photopea and other editors support this workflow. You do not need a plugin or a particular import command.

If the PNG opens in a separate tab, copy its image layer into your photo document. Keep any transparency intact.

Photoshop Affinity Photo Photopea

Put the layer in the right place.

The included file index lists the blend mode for each PNG. Use it to choose one of these three workflows; not every PNG is transparent.

01Screen

Add light

Light rays · light leaks · glowing effects

For bright effects supplied on a black background. Screen makes the black disappear and adds the light to your photograph.

Layers — top to bottom

Light effect · ScreenYour photograph

Place the PNG above your photograph and set its layer blend mode to Screen.
Rotate and position it to follow the light already in the scene.
Lower the opacity and use a layer mask to remove unwanted spill.

Understand blend modes

02Normal

Build atmosphere

Fog · smoke · steam · weather · film marks

For PNGs with transparent areas, including dust, scratches and ash. Keep Normal blending so the soft edges and darker details stay intact.

Layers — top to bottom

Transparent effect · NormalYour photograph

Place the PNG above your photograph and keep its layer blend mode on Normal.
Match its size and position to the scene: distant mist, rising steam or foreground snow.
Adjust opacity and mask the effect where a person or object should sit in front of it.

Place fog with believable depth

03Normal

Change the setting

Photographic scenes · studio backdrops

A background goes behind your subject. It needs a subject cut-out, matching perspective and, where appropriate, a contact shadow.

Layers — top to bottom

Your subject · maskedNew background · Normal

Select the person or group and use a layer mask to hide the original background. Refine hair and clothing edges.
Place the new PNG on a layer below the subject, using Normal blending.
Match the lighting and scale, then add a contact shadow if the subject rests on a surface.

Match perspective and light

The example photos are AI-generated and show AI-assisted edits using collection PNGs as references.

If it does not look right.

A black rectangle covers the photo: For a bright effect on black, select the PNG layer and change its blend mode to Screen. Keep transparent effects on Normal.
The effect covers a face or an object: Add a layer mask and select its thumbnail, beside the image thumbnail. Use a soft brush: black hides the effect and white restores it. Paint on the mask, not on the image itself.
The subject looks pasted onto the background: Check the cut-out edges, camera angle and light direction. Match scale and colour, then add a contact shadow where the subject touches the ground.

Keep the edit. Export the result.

Check edges at 100%, then view the whole image at its final size. Save a layered working copy so you can change it later, and export a separate JPEG or PNG to share.

More editing guides

PNG editing guide

How to use your PNGs.

Add the PNG as a separate layer, then position it and control its strength. The same principles work in any editor with layers, masks and blend modes.

Start here

Start with two separate layers.

Select the PNG layer to change its blend mode and opacity. The blend mode usually starts as Normal; opacity controls how strongly the layer shows.

Use the method you already know.

Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Photopea and other editors support this workflow. You do not need a plugin or a particular import command.

If the PNG opens in a separate tab, copy its image layer into your photo document. Keep any transparency intact.

Photoshop Affinity Photo Photopea

Put the layer in the right place.

The included file index lists the blend mode for each PNG. Use it to choose one of these three workflows; not every PNG is transparent.

01Screen

Add light

Light rays · light leaks · glowing effects

For bright effects supplied on a black background. Screen makes the black disappear and adds the light to your photograph.

Layers — top to bottom

Light effect · ScreenYour photograph

Place the PNG above your photograph and set its layer blend mode to Screen.
Rotate and position it to follow the light already in the scene.
Lower the opacity and use a layer mask to remove unwanted spill.

Understand blend modes

02Normal

Build atmosphere

Fog · smoke · steam · weather · film marks

For PNGs with transparent areas, including dust, scratches and ash. Keep Normal blending so the soft edges and darker details stay intact.

Layers — top to bottom

Transparent effect · NormalYour photograph

Place the PNG above your photograph and keep its layer blend mode on Normal.
Match its size and position to the scene: distant mist, rising steam or foreground snow.
Adjust opacity and mask the effect where a person or object should sit in front of it.

Place fog with believable depth

03Normal

Change the setting

Photographic scenes · studio backdrops

A background goes behind your subject. It needs a subject cut-out, matching perspective and, where appropriate, a contact shadow.

Layers — top to bottom

Your subject · maskedNew background · Normal

Select the person or group and use a layer mask to hide the original background. Refine hair and clothing edges.
Place the new PNG on a layer below the subject, using Normal blending.
Match the lighting and scale, then add a contact shadow if the subject rests on a surface.

Match perspective and light

The example photos are AI-generated and show AI-assisted edits using collection PNGs as references.

If it does not look right.

A black rectangle covers the photo: For a bright effect on black, select the PNG layer and change its blend mode to Screen. Keep transparent effects on Normal.
The effect covers a face or an object: Add a layer mask and select its thumbnail, beside the image thumbnail. Use a soft brush: black hides the effect and white restores it. Paint on the mask, not on the image itself.
The subject looks pasted onto the background: Check the cut-out edges, camera angle and light direction. Match scale and colour, then add a contact shadow where the subject touches the ground.

Keep the edit. Export the result.

Check edges at 100%, then view the whole image at its final size. Save a layered working copy so you can change it later, and export a separate JPEG or PNG to share.

More editing guides

PNG editing guide

How to use your PNGs.

Add the PNG as a separate layer, then position it and control its strength. The same principles work in any editor with layers, masks and blend modes.

Start here

Start with two separate layers.

Select the PNG layer to change its blend mode and opacity. The blend mode usually starts as Normal; opacity controls how strongly the layer shows.

Use the method you already know.

Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Photopea and other editors support this workflow. You do not need a plugin or a particular import command.

If the PNG opens in a separate tab, copy its image layer into your photo document. Keep any transparency intact.

Photoshop Affinity Photo Photopea

Put the layer in the right place.

The included file index lists the blend mode for each PNG. Use it to choose one of these three workflows; not every PNG is transparent.

01Screen

Add light

Light rays · light leaks · glowing effects

For bright effects supplied on a black background. Screen makes the black disappear and adds the light to your photograph.

Layers — top to bottom

Light effect · ScreenYour photograph

Place the PNG above your photograph and set its layer blend mode to Screen.
Rotate and position it to follow the light already in the scene.
Lower the opacity and use a layer mask to remove unwanted spill.

Understand blend modes

02Normal

Build atmosphere

Fog · smoke · steam · weather · film marks

For PNGs with transparent areas, including dust, scratches and ash. Keep Normal blending so the soft edges and darker details stay intact.

Layers — top to bottom

Transparent effect · NormalYour photograph

Place the PNG above your photograph and keep its layer blend mode on Normal.
Match its size and position to the scene: distant mist, rising steam or foreground snow.
Adjust opacity and mask the effect where a person or object should sit in front of it.

Place fog with believable depth

03Normal

Change the setting

Photographic scenes · studio backdrops

A background goes behind your subject. It needs a subject cut-out, matching perspective and, where appropriate, a contact shadow.

Layers — top to bottom

Your subject · maskedNew background · Normal

Select the person or group and use a layer mask to hide the original background. Refine hair and clothing edges.
Place the new PNG on a layer below the subject, using Normal blending.
Match the lighting and scale, then add a contact shadow if the subject rests on a surface.

Match perspective and light

The example photos are AI-generated and show AI-assisted edits using collection PNGs as references.

If it does not look right.

A black rectangle covers the photo: For a bright effect on black, select the PNG layer and change its blend mode to Screen. Keep transparent effects on Normal.
The effect covers a face or an object: Add a layer mask and select its thumbnail, beside the image thumbnail. Use a soft brush: black hides the effect and white restores it. Paint on the mask, not on the image itself.
The subject looks pasted onto the background: Check the cut-out edges, camera angle and light direction. Match scale and colour, then add a contact shadow where the subject touches the ground.

Keep the edit. Export the result.

Check edges at 100%, then view the whole image at its final size. Save a layered working copy so you can change it later, and export a separate JPEG or PNG to share.

More editing guides