when i place a picture on a background how do i smooth out the edges so it looks like it belongs there?

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You could try feathering.

Select the object you want to add (CTRL+click it's layer pic)

Go to layers, modify, feather...choose a number (try 3 to start with but depends on resolution etc).  Then select>invert selection....then press backspace.

Have a play around with that and see how it goes.

ok ill give it a whirl thanx bravo.

Let us know if you got it working

once again bravo you are the man it worked out great lol thanx. i got a question for you how long have you been messing with photoshop?i will admit you are damn good.

I've been messing with it for maybe a couple of years on and off.  Not too long, it's quite easy to get into, and once you know the features, it does most of the work for you

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