How to make a before and after photo
- Drop the "before" photo, then the "after" photo.
- Choose a layout. Split overlays both photos and shows the before on one side of a divider line and the after on the other. Side by side puts the two full photos next to each other.
- Drag the divider (split layout) to the spot that shows the change best.
- Edit the labels. "Before" and "After" are defaults — "Day 1 / Day 90", "Raw / Edited", or "2019 / 2026" often say more.
- Add callouts in split layout to point at specific details, then export as JPG or PNG.
Split line or side by side?
| Split line | Side by side | |
|---|---|---|
| Shows | One scene, half before / half after | Both full photos |
| Best for | Retouching, renovations, color grading, cleaning — anything shot from the same spot | Fitness progress, product versions, anything where the framing differs |
| Callouts | Yes | No — positions wouldn't map onto two separate frames |
| Output size | 1600 px tall | 1600 px tall, twice as wide plus a small gap |
A split line only works if both photos line up. If the camera moved between shots, side by side looks more honest than a misaligned split.
Getting a clean match
The split layout reads well when the two photos are framed the same way. For the strongest comparison:
- Shoot both from the same spot, at the same zoom, ideally from a tripod or a marked position.
- Match the light: the same time of day, or the same lamps on.
- Lock exposure and white balance if your camera allows it. Otherwise lighting differences get mistaken for the change itself.
See the before and after photo guide for a full checklist.