Photoshop: Blending Modes

Photoshop's layer blending modes are frequently used in graphics making, as they open up many roads to altering colors. By using the layer modes you can make images brighter, add contrast, dye images in one color, add saturation and other options. This tutorial will show you examples and possible uses of the layer modes in Photoshop CS3.

Normal

This is the default mode. The following example has a Normal image set to 50% opacity.

Dissolve

This mode is pretty self-explanitory. The image to the right was set to Dissolve and 50% opacity.

Darken

The colors that are lighter than the blend color are replaced, while the colors that are darker are not. I used this texture, which I set to Darken on the image to the right.

Multiply

Multiplies the base color by the blend color, which creates a dark result. I used this texture, which I set to Multiply on the image to the right.

Color Burn

Darkens the base color to reflect the blend color by increasing the contrast. I used this texture, which I set to Color Burn on the image to the right.

Linear Burn

Darkens the base color to reflect the blend color by decreasing the brightness. I used this texture, which I set to Linear Burn on the image to the right.

Darker Color

Compares the total of all channel values for the blend and base color and displays the lower value color. I used this texture, which I set to Darker Color on the image to the right.

Lighten

The opposite of Darken. The colors that are darker than the blend color are replaced, while the colors that are lighter are not. I used this texture, which I set to Lighten on the image to the right.

Screen

Creates a brighter result by multiplying the inverse of the blend and base colors. I used this texture, which I set to Screen on the image to the right.

Color Dodge

Brightens the base color to reflect the blend color by decreasing the contrast. I used this texture, which I set to Color Dodge on the image to the right.

Linear Dodge (Add)

Brightens the base color to reflect the blend color by increasing the brightness. I used this texture, which I set to Linear Dodge (add) on the image to the right.

Lighter Color

Compares the total of all channel values for the blend and base color and displays the higher value color. I used this texture, which I set to Lighter Color on the image to the right.

Overlay

Multiplies or screens the colors, depending on the base color. I used this texture, which I set to Overlay on the image to the right.

Soft Light

Darkens or lightens the colors, depending on the blend color. I used this texture, which I set to Soft Light on the image to the right.

Hard Light

Multiplies or screens the colors, depending on the blend color. I used this texture, which I set to Hard Light on the image to the right.

Vivid Light

Burns or dodges the colors by increasing or decreasing the contrast, depending on the blend color. I used this texture, which I set to Vivid Light on the image to the right.

Linear Light

Burns or dodges the colors by decreasing or increasing the brightness, depending on the blend color. I used this texture, which I set to Linear Light on the image to the right.

Pin Light

Replaces the colors, depending on the blend color. I used this texture, which I set to Pin Light on the image to the right.

Hard Mix

Adds the red, green and blue channel values of the blend color to the RGB values of the base color. I used this texture, which I set to Hard Mix on the image to the right.

Difference

Looks at the color information in each channel and subtracts either the blend color from the base color or the base color from the blend color, depending on which has the greater brightness value. I filled in a new layer with #110f6a, which I set to Difference on the image to the right.

Exclusion

Creates an effect similar to but lower in contrast than the Difference mode. I filled in a new layer with #0f606a, which I set to Exclusion on the image to the right.

Hue

Creates a result color with the luminance and saturation of the base color and the hue of the blend color. I filled in a new layer with #ff0000, which I set to Hue on the image to the right.

Saturation

Creates a result color with the luminance and hue of the base color and the saturation of the blend color. I filled in a new layer with #528bff, which I set to Saturation on the image to the right.

Color

Creates a result color with the luminance of the base color and the hue and saturation of the blend color. I filled in a new layer with #7db916, which I set to Color on the image to the right.

Luminosity

Creates a result color with the hue and saturation of the base color and the luminance of the blend color. I filled in a new layer with #0f606a, which I set to Luminosity on the image to the right.