naturalizing a layer from a foreign image

[happy2bapappy]

I've always had problems naturalizing a layer brought into a different image and making it look like it belongs there. eg, bringing a Toronto skyline onto a tropical picture, or a wolf from the wild onto a city sidewalk.

Is there a good way to do this?
Currently I use a guess and test method of playing with levels, contrast, saturation, etc.

Is there a better way?

[Wheat King]

Hi John,

You want to investigate blending modes and shadowing. Photoshop elements 5 (and I think 4) support blending modes. Usually I just cycle through one until I find one that works. (rather than trying to understand what each mode does)

I found that shadows are what really makes something that you brought in look like it belongs.. For example.

Without shadow... Looks like obiwan is floating

With Shadow... but I think I overdid the shaddow a bit. Probably should be a little more subtle.