Image size on different layers linked?

[Jennifer373428314siw]

Hi, I'm having a frustrating problem trying to remove myself from a photo.  I found the only way to remove my shadow as well is to cut out the parts of the image that I want, then place that over another image of the same background without me in it.  So I have 1 layer mask with the desired subject in one image and another layer with a different image of the same background.  The problem is the 2 images appear to be different sizes (thus, the background details don't match up), and when I try to re-size one image (on its own layer) photoshop also re-sizes the other image on the other layer.  I have done nothing to link these layers or images together.  I have tried re-importing the background image because that seems to be the only time I can fine-tune the size... however Ps won't allow me to see my layer mask at the same time as I am re-sizing the new image.  As soon as I click on anything other than the new image (to re-order layers) I am no longer able to drag the new image by its corner.  I'm sure there's something stupid that I'm missing here, can anyone help?

[D Fosse]

It the two layers are sufficiently similar, use Edit > Auto-Align. Both layers need to be highlighted/selected, but the bottom layer is the "anchor".

If not - Edit > Transform > Scale (or Distort, as appropriate). This affects only the highlighted layer. It might help to set the top layer to 50% opacity when matching up.

[Jennifer373428314siw]

That option is greyed out...

[Jennifer373428314siw]

I managed to solve the problem by starting over and re-importing both images, ordering layers in a way that let me see both images while importing the second one.  I haven't used Ps since before it was subscription-based and the learning curve is steep!

[Nancy OShea]

Ideally, you should be working with duplicate copies of the same sized layers (Ctrl / Cmd + J).