photomontage

photomontage — noun

1. a picture formed by joining several photographs into one image, or the method of

1.nounC1
Definition

a picture formed by joining several photographs into one image, or the method of making pictures in this way.

Example

Mara made a photomontage from old family photos and train tickets.

make a photomontage from + photos

On the poster, the artist used photomontage to mix city streets and clouds.

use photomontage to + verb

Common collocations
  • a photomontage of city life
  • make a photomontage from old photos
  • use photomontage in a poster
  • digital photomontage
Synonyms
  • collage

    broader term for art made by joining materials together, not only photographs

  • montage

    broader word for assembled images or scenes; it is not limited to photos

  • composite

    often used for a final combined image, especially in technical or digital contexts

Grammar Patterns

a photomontage of + noun

make a photomontage from + photos

use photomontage to + verb

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'of' for what appears in the finished image, or 'from' for the source photographs. Distinguish from 'collage': a photomontage is built from photographic images, while a collage may use paper, cloth, or other materials.

Common Mistakes

Ella made a photomontage with paint and a brush.
Ella made a photomontage from cut-up photographs.
this word is for pictures made from photos, not painting alone.
The director used photomontage to join the film scenes.
The director used montage to join the film scenes.
'photomontage' is about combined photographic images, not any kind of film editing.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all involve putting parts together, but they are not used in exactly the same way. A photomontage is specifically made from photographs, whether by hand or with software. A collage is wider and may include paper, cloth, tickets, or drawing, so not every collage is photographic. A montage is also broader: it can describe a group of images arranged together, or even a sequence of short film scenes. A composite often names the finished combined image, especially in photography, design, or police sketches. For memory, think: a photomontage joins photos, a collage joins materials, and a montage can join scenes.

photomontage ↗collage ↗montagecomposite ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • photomontage artist
  • photomontage technique
  • photomontage poster

Adverbs

Phrases

  • make a photomontage
  • create a photomontage from photographs
  • use photomontage in design

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekFrenchEnglish

This word was formed in modern English by joining photo-, meaning 'light' or 'photograph', with montage, a French word for something put together from separate parts. The history matches the meaning closely: a photomontage is an image assembled from different photographs into one new whole.