incorporating two pictures using masks

[Rosemary]

Can someone please tell me how to use a background picture and then have another showing through? For example a picture of a sky as a background with an apple blossom showing in the centre

Thank you so much.

Rosemary

[migf1]

On way is to load both pictures on separate layers, then mask the top one (Layers -> New Mask Layer -> Show All), so it gets auto-grouped together with a mask layer in the Layers palette. Next select that mask layer in the Layers palette, and using the Paintbrush paint black the areas you want to show the bottom picture (you can fix mistakes by painting them back to white).

Alternatively you can initially add a Layers -> New Mask Layer -> Hide All mask (which will completely hide the top picture) and then paint white the areas you want it show.To fix mistakes, paint them back to black.

PS1. At any given time you may also: Layers -> Invert Mask/Adjustment (which toggles the effect of the selected mask).
PS2. All these commands have icon-shortcuts, placed in the Layers palette.
PS3. I assume you are working in the Complete workspace (File -> Workspace -> Complete)

[Rosemary]

Thank you migf1. Your first method works well and now I shall try the other.
I had tried many ways but failed.
Rosemary