how to remove weird editing line from photo?

[khuen43405373]

I'm new at photoshop.  We have a holiday party at work and I'm just putting together a bunch of silly pics for a door decorating contest.  I'm trying to superimpose a friend's face on top of a pic of a chimp.  Was successful, except for a really annoying lasso line that is still visible.  See below.  How do I remove the weird line around his head?

[Sebastian Bleak]

Funny stuff and great job so far. It took me a 2nd look to see the line.

Can you share a screen shot of your Layers Panel? I'd like to see if we can find the layer that it's on or if it's being caused by a mask.

[khuen43405373]

Here is the screenshot of the layers panel:

I originally had two layers, one for my friend, and one for the chimp, and then combined into one layer, but I guess I did it wrong.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Francesco Della Peruta]

At this point I think you have to use the clone stamp tool or similar to eliminate the line:

Retouch and repair photos

[Chuck Uebele]

Yea, you shouldn't have merged the layers. You can also use the spot healing brush, which might be better than the clone stamp tool for most of it.

[Derek Cross]

Welcome to the forum.

As Chuck mentioned never (or rarely) merge layers, as you've discovered you often have to return to a layer to do further work and it may be difficult or impossible once the document is flattened.

Save your image as a copy as (say) a JPG for distribution and prints etc but keep your native layered PSD file as well.

[WA_Photo · Accepted solution]

Here is a quick fix that took about 10 seconds with the Spot Heal brush. As already mentioned keeping the two layers intact allows you to go back and fix any little errors you might miss along the way.

[joanH]

khuen43405373, Those pesky lines appear when you cut out the face from its background, check carefully for them before you place it - right after you do the separation is best. You might have to look at 100 - 200 % to see them and perhaps place an extreme curve or contrast to see them even better. Then return it to normal color before flattening all layers.

I see-  too clearly - the two images as being separate pictures and so suggest you feather the spaces and lines between the two pictures to make them look like one picture - and then put the layers together.

Adobe has lots of instructions available for blending backgrounds and hair. You can do so much better than this if you practice the blending and perfect it. Best regards, JH If I have time I will retouch this one and post it here. : + )

[khuen43405373]

thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions!  I will try the tools suggested in future edits!