Blending Modes

Blending modes determine how the pixels on a layer react with the pixels on a layer below them.
Special effects can be created by changing modes between layers.

We have come across modes before but this whole image on the right is made up with modes.

We'll see how modes work in this image.

One snag is that if the correct layer is selected but is hidden behind something else, and you want to move your active layer with the Move tool, by clicking on the image this will cause a upper layer to be selected. To avoid this, hold Control / Command, which will temporarily override the Auto Select Layer and you will stay on the correct active layer.


The mode of a layer can be changed within the Layers palette, via the top pop-up menu.

The smaller clock is in the front and is set to Multiply mode.
The blending colour is multiplied by the base colour.
If the base colour is black, then the final colour will be black.
If the base colour is white, then the final colour will be unchanged.
Base colours other than white, will darken the final colours.
The larger clock is set to Overlay mode.

The smaller clock has be set to Difference.
Difference subtracts either the base colours or the blending colours from the other, depending which is brighter.
If the top blending colour is white, the base colour will be inverted. Others colours can be partially inverted.

Now with both clocks set to Difference but with the large clock moved to the top layer position.

There is not a lot of point in most people trying to understand the finer points of what is happening with the various blending modes. As we are interested in the visual result, usually seeing what looks right is all that matters.
When using modes, there can be surprises, so it can be good to try many alternatives and make use of the unexpected.

For the more technically minded, in Photoshop Help there are detailed descriptions of what is going on, such as:

"Pin Light replaces the colors, depending on the blend color. If the blend color (light source) is lighter than 50% gray, pixels darker than the blend color are replaced, and pixels lighter than the blend color do not change. If the blend color is darker than 50% gray, . . . . . . . . "


Tip
To scroll through the modes of a layer, use Shift + plus .
To scroll back through the list, use Shift + minus .

There are about 25 blending modes altogether and they all have their shortcuts, for example:

Shift + Alt + M for Multiply
Shift + Alt + G for Lighten
Shift + Alt + Y for Luminosity

Some will be used much more than others, but a full list of shortcuts can be found in Photoshop Help under Keys for working with blending modes.

Some modes have particular uses.
The correct mode can be used to pep-up a dull image.

A rainbow can be created with the Graduate tool.
If put on a background in Normal mode, then it will look too strong. The correct mode will blend it into the sky more successfully.


Brushes can be used in modes as well.
These strokes were all made with the same colour brush but with different blending modes.

The Healing brushes as well as the Blur, Sharpen and Smudge tools all have some choices for alternatives modes and can be used for creative effects.


Blending Modes and Blending Options are extremely useful and versatile functions and it takes a while to understand their full potential.
Photoshop In A Day has many more examples of the use of Blending Modes.



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