Blending Modes - 1

Blending Modes - 1

Learn about Blending Modes to see how they can alter the appearance of photos without altering the original image.

When to use

Blending Modes are an extremely useful feature in Photoshop that allows you to layer different looks on top of each other without changing the layers beneath them.

Instructions

Setting Things Up

• In the Layers Palette, click on the field that says 'Pass Through' and you will see a long list - these are all of the Blending Modes in Photoshop.
• To get started, make sure that you have the file open from the previous section on Adjustment Layers so that we have some photos to start with.
• Select your top folder and then go to the Adjustment Layer Icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette.
• Choose the 'Gradient Map' Adjustment Layer from the menu.
• You will now see your Gradient Map Adjustment Layer appear above all of the other layers and folders, at the top of the layer stack.
• Choose one of the gradient presets and feel free to tweak any of the colors as you'd like.
• In some cases, you may also want to check off the 'Reverse' option so that the darker of your two colors in the gradient are applied to the shadows, and the lighter colors in your gradient will be applied to the highlights.

Darkening Blending Modes

• You can now begin going through the different Blend Modes beginning with 'Darken' to see how the Gradient Map Adjustment Layer interacts with the images underneath it when it's set to this mode.
• Continue this process by going to Multiply, Color Burn, Linear Burn, and Darker Color.
• This first group of Blending Modes can generally be used to darken all or parts of an image. 

Lightening Blending Modes

• Continue to go through the next section of Blending modes from Lighten to Lighter Color.
• Not only can these Blending Modes be used to blend Gradient Maps with photos, but they can also be used on textures.

Merging Folders

• Select the top group folder in your Photoshop file (in this case I'm grabbing the 'IMAGE 3' folder).
• Press Command/Ctrl+J to duplicate the folder.
• Press Command/Ctrl+E to merge the folders together.
• Use the Shift Key and the '+' and '-' keys to scroll through the Blending Modes to see how applying different Blend Modes to a duplicate of your photo can affect the image.

Hints & tips

• The key to using Blending Modes is to experiment and see how each one affects your image. 
• Use the Shift Key and the '+' on the keyboard to move to the next Blending Mode.
• Use the Shift Key and the '-' on the keyboard to go to the previous Blending Mode. 
• Press Command/Ctrl+J to duplicate a layer or an entire folder.
• Press Command/Ctrl+E to merge a folder into a flattened layer.