OVERLAY CROP GUIDE
How to Align Before and After Photos
Updated June 19, 2026
A strong before-and-after comparison should show the change, not a distracting jump in scale or position. Overlay alignment helps keep the camera framing consistent even when the source files differ.
Pick reliable alignment points
For portraits, begin with the eyes and nose bridge. For rooms or products, use corners, edges, screws, labels, or other points that did not change. Two or three stable points are more reliable than matching only one feature.
Use opacity instead of guessing
Place the edited image above the original and reduce its opacity to around 40–60 percent. Double edges reveal misalignment immediately. Move and zoom the selected layer until the important outlines overlap.
Keep the comparison honest
Do not use different crop levels to exaggerate a result. Preserve a similar field of view, orientation, and subject size. If the source camera position changed, align the most relevant region and disclose that the photos were taken separately when context matters.
Export for sliders and videos
Export every layer at exactly the same dimensions. Identical files prevent jumps when used in a swipe slider, animated GIF, reel, or crossfade video.
FAQ
What opacity is best for alignment?
Around 50 percent is a useful starting point, but high-contrast photos may be easier at 30–40 percent.
Can photos from different cameras be aligned?
Usually yes, although perspective differences cannot always be removed with simple move and zoom controls.
Overlay image crop editor
Upload your original and edited photos, lower the top image opacity, then align facial features or fixed background points. Every exported image uses the same crop ratio and pixel dimensions.
Start cropping