Side-by-Side Photo Magic: How to Easily Place Two Photos Next to Each Other on Your Mac

Have you ever wanted to create a striking visual comparison, a before-and-after shot, or simply showcase two related images side by side? Whether you’re crafting a social media post, designing a blog graphic, or preparing a presentation, arranging two photos next to each other is a powerful way to enhance your visual storytelling. While it might seem like a complex task, it’s actually quite straightforward on your Mac. This comprehensive guide will walk you through multiple methods to achieve this, catering to different skill levels and software preferences. We’ll cover everything from using the built-in Preview app to more advanced (and still easy!) options using Pages, Keynote, and even free online tools. Let’s dive in!

Method 1: Using the Built-in Preview App (The Quick & Simple Way)

The Preview app on your Mac is more versatile than you might think. It’s not just for viewing images; it can also handle basic image editing, including combining images side by side. This method is ideal for quick and simple needs without any fancy design requirements.

Step 1: Open Your Images in Preview

First, locate the two photos you want to combine. You can do this in Finder. Once found:

1. Select both images: Click on one image, then hold down the Command (⌘) key and click on the other image.
2. Right-click (or Control-click): A context menu will appear.
3. Select “Open With” and then “Preview.app”: This will open both images in separate Preview windows.

Step 2: Prepare the Images (Optional, but Recommended)

Before combining, you might want to make some basic adjustments, such as:

• Cropping: If the images have different dimensions, cropping them to similar sizes will make the final arrangement look neater. To crop, use the Show Markup Toolbar button (looks like a pencil tip inside a circle). Then, use the Selection tool to draw a rectangle over the desired area and press Crop (⌘+K).
• Resizing: If you want to control the overall size of the combined image, you might want to resize the individual photos first. To resize, use the Tools menu, choose Adjust Size… and then enter your desired dimensions. Note: Be mindful of maintaining the aspect ratio to avoid distortion. Click the lock icon to ensure that width and height are proportionally changed.

Remember to Save any changes you make to each individual image.

Step 3: Create a New Combined Image

Now for the fun part: combining the photos! Since Preview doesn’t have a direct way to put images side-by-side, we’ll use a clever copy-paste trick.

1. Select All in one image: Click on one of the image windows, navigate to the Edit menu, and choose Select All (⌘+A).
2. Copy: Then go back to the Edit menu and choose Copy (⌘+C).
3. Create a New Window with Clipboard: Go to the File menu, then select New from Clipboard (⌘+N). This will paste a copy of your selected image into a new image window.
4. Select All in the second image: Go to the second image, navigate to the Edit menu, and choose Select All (⌘+A).
5. Copy: Then go back to the Edit menu and choose Copy (⌘+C).
6. Paste into the new image: Click on the window with the first image and paste your second image into this image by pressing ⌘+V. This will paste your second image directly onto the first image. This is where it gets tricky! You’ll need to move it around so that it’s side by side and not overlapping.
7. Move the second image: Select the Selection Tool from the Markup toolbar. Now, you can click and drag the second image and move it beside the first.
8. Adjust Alignment: Use the selection tool to make sure the top and bottom edges are aligned. You can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to nudge the image into place by selecting the image first.
9. Crop your new image (Final): If you need to crop, use the Selection tool to select the final side-by-side section. Press ⌘+K to crop the image to the selection. This will remove any extra canvas around the two photos.

Step 4: Save Your Combined Image

Finally, go to File menu and click Save As… Choose a name for your combined image and select the desired format (e.g., JPEG, PNG). Click Save and you are done!

Limitations of Preview: This method works best for simple side-by-side arrangements with minimal adjustments. It’s not ideal if you need fine-grained control over spacing or if you want to add text or other elements.

Method 2: Using Pages (For More Design Control)

If you’re looking for more control over the layout and want to add text or shapes, Apple’s Pages app is an excellent option. Pages is a free word processor that also handles image placement beautifully.

Step 1: Create a New Document in Pages

Open Pages and create a new Blank document.

Step 2: Insert Your Images

Now, place your images onto the blank page:

1. Go to the Media button (looks like a mountain) on the top toolbar.
2. Click Choose…, then locate and select your first image and press Insert
3. Repeat for the second image.

Your images will now appear on the page, possibly overlapping or in different positions. Don’t worry; we’ll fix that.

Step 3: Arrange the Images Side by Side

Here’s how to place the images side by side with more precision:

1. Click and Drag: Click on one image and drag it to the left or right. Then click and drag the other image and place it beside the first.
2. Adjust Size: Select each image and adjust its size by dragging the corner handles. Hold Shift while resizing to maintain the aspect ratio.
3. Position and Align: Move each image until they are aligned to your liking. Pages provides guidelines that appear as you move elements, helping you align them perfectly. You can also use the Arrange tab on the formatting sidebar on the right to fine tune the alignment and positioning.
4. Use Object Wrapping: In order to move the images easier and place them exactly where you want you will want to change the object wrapping. When you select the image and go to the Arrange tab, you will see a section for Object Wrapping. Change the setting from Inline with Text to Move with Text.
5. Spacing and Margins (Optional): You can use the “Layout” tab in the sidebar to control the margins and the spacing around your images. This can be done in the document settings (File > Page Setup > Document). You can also add a shape between the two images to create a clear separator.

Step 4: Add Text and Other Elements (Optional)

The beauty of Pages is that it allows you to add text, shapes, and other elements alongside your images. You can:

• Add headings or captions above or below the images.
• Insert text boxes for additional descriptions.
• Use shapes and lines to create visually appealing layouts.

Step 5: Export Your Combined Image

Pages doesn’t save directly as a single image file. Instead, you’ll need to export your layout to the desired image format:

1. Go to the File menu.
2. Choose Export To.
3. Select PDF… (you will need to convert this to a image with a 3rd party tool).
4. Select Image… (PNG or JPEG). This will create a single image of your layout.
5. Adjust the Resolution and quality as needed.
6. Click Next.
7. Enter a file name and choose the destination.
8. Click Export to save your combined image.

Advantages of Using Pages: Pages offers more design control than Preview, allowing you to create visually appealing layouts with text and other elements. It’s a good option for creating professional-looking comparisons or blog graphics.

Method 3: Using Keynote (For Presentation-Ready Images)

Keynote, Apple’s presentation software, is another fantastic tool for creating side-by-side images. It’s particularly useful if you’re working on a presentation or want more advanced layout options.

Step 1: Create a New Presentation in Keynote

Open Keynote and create a new Blank presentation.

Step 2: Insert Your Images

Insert your images onto the slide:

1. Click on the Media button (looks like a mountain) on the top toolbar.
2. Select Choose…, locate and choose your first image, then press Insert.
3. Repeat the process for the second image.

Step 3: Arrange the Images Side by Side

Here’s how to position the images side by side:

1. Click and Drag: Drag each image to the left or right to position them side by side.
2. Adjust Size: Drag the corner handles to resize the images. Hold Shift to keep aspect ratios correct.
3. Align: Use the alignment guides or the Arrange tab in the sidebar to perfectly align the images.
4. Use Object Wrapping: In order to move the images easier and place them exactly where you want you will want to change the object wrapping. When you select the image and go to the Arrange tab, you will see a section for Object Wrapping. Change the setting from Inline with Text to Move with Text.
5. Spacing and Margins (Optional): Adjust the margins and spacing between and around the images. You can also use shapes to divide or enhance the layout.

Step 4: Add Text and Other Elements (Optional)

Keynote allows you to add text, shapes, animations and other elements to your images:

• Add text boxes for titles, captions or descriptions.
• Insert shapes and lines to improve your layout design.
• Add animations to the image elements.

Step 5: Export Your Combined Image

Similar to Pages, you’ll need to export your slide as an image:

1. Go to File menu and select Export To.
2. Choose Images…
3. Select the image format (JPEG, PNG, etc.)
4. Choose the slide(s) you want to export (if you have more than one).
5. Click Next.
6. Name your image and choose your destination.
7. Click Export.

Advantages of Using Keynote: Keynote offers advanced design control and layout options. It’s great for creating more visually appealing, presentation-ready images. The ability to use animation and transitions is also a plus if you intend to create a more engaging image.

Method 4: Using Free Online Image Editors

If you prefer not to use desktop applications, several free online image editors offer the ability to combine images side by side. Here are a couple of popular options:

Option 1: Canva

Canva is a popular online graphic design platform that offers a free version with plenty of features. It’s super user-friendly and great for creating social media graphics and blog images.

1. Go to Canva.com: Visit the Canva website and sign up for a free account.
2. Create a New Design: Choose a custom size, or use a pre-made template for a blog graphic.
3. Upload Your Images: Click on Uploads and upload your two photos.
4. Drag and Arrange: Drag the uploaded images onto the canvas and arrange them side by side.
5. Resize and Position: Adjust the size and position using the corner handles and alignment guides.
6. Add Elements: Enhance your image with text, shapes, and other elements if you wish.
7. Download: Click Share and select Download. Choose your file type and save your combined image.

Option 2: Kapwing

Kapwing is another great online editor that’s particularly good for video editing but also works well for simple image editing.

1. Go to Kapwing.com: Visit the Kapwing website and create a free account.
2. Upload Your Images: Click “Start Editing” and upload your two images.
3. Arrange the Images: Use the drag handles to move and resize your photos, positioning them side by side.
4. Adjust and Align: Use the Kapwing tools for cropping, alignment, and other adjustments.
5. Add Elements (Optional): Add text, shapes, or other elements as needed.
6. Export: Click Export and choose the image file type and download your combined image.

Advantages of Online Editors: These tools are convenient, accessible from any web browser, and often come with a variety of pre-made templates and design elements. They’re a great option if you need a quick solution or don’t want to install any software.

Conclusion

There you have it! Several easy ways to place two photos side by side on your Mac. Whether you opt for the simplicity of Preview, the flexibility of Pages, the design power of Keynote, or the convenience of an online editor, there’s a method to suit your needs and skill level. Experiment with each approach to find your favorite, and start creating visually compelling comparisons and eye-catching layouts today. With these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be a master of side-by-side images in no time!