For scrapbook projects, photo crafting and other creative uses you can achieve a cool effect for your photos by clipping your favorite images into shapes. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1
Open an image and make the background layer a regular layer by double clicking it in the Layer palette and click Ok.
From the Photoshop’s Custom Shapes collection, select a shape and set the Shape tool to Fill Pixels in the Tool Options palette – ignore the color that you have selected for now. 
Step 2
Add a new layer to the image by choosing Layer > New > Layer and drag to create the shape on that layer. Use the Move tool to rotate the shape, size and move it. 
Step 3
Drag the background layer above the shape layer. Select the top layer and choose Layer > Create Clipping Mask to mask the image to the shape. 
Step 4
Add a drop shadow or other effect to the shape layer to set it aside from the background. You can also add a new background layer and fill it with a color or texture to show off the image.
If you drag the shape into a different position in the image using the Move tool or scale it, you will reveal more or less of the top image.
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i love crop