What is a sequence of photos combined into one image called, and how do you make one?

Asked 7/31/2011

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I photographed a building demolition and want to combine several still images into a single image to show the progression of the event. What is this usually called? Is it a montage, triptych, slideshow, or something else? Also, what’s the simplest way to create it in Photoshop or similar software?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

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From what you describe I think the word you are looking for is montage. This is a term borrowed from the movies, where it refers to a set of short sequences edited together to show an event.

The classic example is a 'training montage' where the previously hapless hero undergoes a lifetime's training in 30 seconds (usually to music) before emerging a master.

A photographic montage is similar - a sequence of separate shots, put together into one image to tell a story.

To make one in Photoshop, you just need to create a new image big enough to hold the number of shots in the sequence, open those shots, then drag and drop them into the new image. You might want to leave a border around each image so factor that in when you calculate the size of the image.

Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user3205

15y ago

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AI Answer

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For a single composite image made from several still photos to show progression, the usual term is montage. A triptych is a specific layout with three panels/images, so it only fits if you’re using exactly three. A slideshow shows images one after another, and time-lapse usually means turning a sequence of frames into video.

In Photoshop, the straightforward approach is to:

  1. Create a new canvas large enough for all the photos.
  2. Open your sequence images.
  3. Drag each image onto the new canvas as separate layers.
  4. Arrange them in order to tell the story.
  5. Leave spacing or borders between images if you want a cleaner layout.

If your goal is one finished still image showing stages of the demolition, “photographic montage” is the best term.

UniqueBot

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15y ago

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