Learn the power and flexibility of blending modes in Photoshop, including Multiply, Screen, Overlay, and Color, and how to apply them for better photo editing.
This exercise is excerpted from Noble Desktop’s past Photoshop training materials and is compatible with Photoshop updates through 2020. To learn current skills in Photoshop, check out our Photoshop Bootcamp and graphic design classes in NYC and live online.
Topics covered in this Photoshop tutorial:
Using blending modes (Multiply, Screen, Overlay, & Color)
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Exercise Overview
Blending Modes are another powerful tool that Photoshop has to offer. Unfortunately they can sometimes be a bit tough to understand. In this exercise, we will explore a few common blending modes and see how they work.
From the Photoshop Adv Class folder, open BlueWoman.psd.
If the Histogram panel is not already visible, choose Window > Histogram.
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Examine the image using your eyes and the Histogram panel to see the tonal range.
This photo happens to be true to the way the photographer shot the image, intending to capture a high-key, bluish look. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with the look of the picture as it is.
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In the Histogram panel, notice that there are no true blacks or whites in the entire image. It is also somewhat overexposed.
Experimenting with Different Blending Modes
Duplicate the Background layer (Cmd–J (Mac) or Ctrl–J (Windows)).
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In the Layers panel, change the blending mode of the copied layer to Multiply:
Double–click on the new layer’s name and rename it Multiply. Note that the entire image has darkened, including the highlights.
Let’s try another blending mode to see how it differs. First, hide the Multiply layer.
Select the Background layer and duplicate it (Cmd–J (Mac) or Ctrl–J (Windows)).
In the Layers panel, change the blending mode of the copied layer to Screen. The entire image has lightened and has almost the opposite effect of Multiply.
This isn’t really the effect we want now, so change the new layer’s blending mode to Overlay. Pixels on an overlay layer that are darker than 50% gray darken the pixels below them, while pixels brighter than 50% gray lighten, effectively adding contrast.
Name the layer Overlay.
Using the Color Blending Mode to Tint an Image
Sometimes it is a nice effect to add a colored tint to an image. An easy way to do this is to use the Color blend mode.
Click on the Multiply layer to select it.
Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color.
Name it color tint and change the Mode to Color.
Click OK.
In the color picker, choose any color you want. The image is tinted with that color!
Click OK when you are satisfied. For further detail on what each blending mode does, read the Blending Modes reference at the back of the book.
When finished, close the file and don’t bother saving changes.
