How can I make a depression effect on an image?

[ppearce43]

I am making a poster for Veterans Day.  I have an image of a pair of hands palms up, slightly cupped.  I have another image of a Flag.  I want to place the flag in the cupped hands, and have the flag appear as if it is laying within those cupped hands.  The best way I know to describe my desired effect is if you think of a "reversed bloat" using the Distort Filter, but I can't seem to find that.  Does that make sense?  Any suggestions? PSD attached. I'm using PSE 2020 on a Windows 10 platform. 

[Greg_S.]

Perhaps use a displacement map.  Take a look at this thread for ideas.

[Greg_S.]

You can also use the Filters>Distort>Liquify> Pucker and Bloat tools.  But, that involves more guessing on how to distort the flag.

[hatstead · Accepted solution]

You can do this by using a displacement map:

http://www.photoshopsupport.com/elements/tutorials/displace-filter/displacement-map.html

https://www.colesclassroom.com/using-the-displacement-map-in-photoshop/

[ppearce43]

Thank you, the displacement map procedure looks like it will work.

[hatstead]

You're welcome. Glad to help.