Chapter 10: Using Blending Modes with Layers
A blending mode compares the content of two layers and enacts changes based on the content of both. You can choose from 14 different blending modes using the pop-up menu at the top of the Layers controls. Understanding blending modes requires a bit of science. To start let’s establish three key terms.
Base color. The original color in the image
Blend color. The color being applied by the top layer or Adjustment layer.
Result color. The color resulting from the blend
To adjust a layer’s Blending Mode is easy.
In the Layers controls click the + button and choose the Add New Image Layer option.
For the top layer, click the Blend pop-up menu in the Layers control area.
Choose from one of the 14 available blending modes.
Normal
The default mode performs no additional change to how layer contents interact.
Darken
Pixels lighter than blend are replaced; darker ones are not.
Multiply
Is similar to drawing strokes on the image with markers. The colors of the top layer or blended with the image.
Color Burn
Evaluates each channel; darkens base by increasing contrast.
Lighten
Evaluates each channel; it then uses base or blend color (whichever is lighter).
Screen
Uses a lighter color. It is useful for “knocking” black out of a layer.Overlay
Overlays existing pixels while preserving highlights and shadows of base.
Overlay
Overlays existing pixels while preserving highlights and shadows of base.
Soft Light
The effect is similar to shining a diffused spotlight on the image.
Hard Light
Effect is similar to shining a harsh spotlight on the image.
Difference
Evaluates each channel and subtracts or inverts depending on brightness.
Subtract
Looks at the color in each channel and subtracts the blend from the base.
Hue
Uses luminance and saturation of the base and the hue of the blend.
Color
Preserves gray levels. It’s very useful for coloring and tinting.
Luminosity
Is the inverse effect from the Color mode.
