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How to make an overlay effect in Photoshop. Complex blending modes. Darken - Darkening group

This article will give you a basic understanding of layer blending modes. Blending modes are used for different purposes, for example, to blend an object into the background, apply texture, or tint an image. When using blending modes, layers begin to interact with each other, you can also change the opacity and fill of the layer, resulting in interesting effect. Many people simply run the layer through all modes in search of best option. Of course, it will be much more convenient to understand at least a little about these modes and understand why each of them is needed.

When we set the blending mode, the layer whose mode was changed begins to interact with the underlying one. Now let's look at the different blending modes, which are divided into groups by horizontal lines.

1. Basic modes

Normal

Already from the name of this mode it becomes clear that this is the normal state of the layer. There is no interaction between layers (active and lower). The pixels of the underlying layer are completely replaced at 100% opacity.

Dissolve

At 100% opacity, the top layer completely overlaps the bottom, as in the mode Normal. And when reducing the opacity, this mode randomly removes some pixels of the active layer, which gives the effect of porosity or noise. For example, we got a “chalk” effect with an opacity value of 70%:

2. Darkening modes (Darken)

In the entire group of Dimming modes, white is ignored.

Darken

This mode reveals only the dark shades of the top layer on the bottom. It is used to layer one layer on top of another. If you want to darken, it is better to use the mode next on the list - Multiplication.

Multiplication

This is one of the most common modes. It superimposes the colors of the top layer onto the colors of the bottom. The color becomes thicker, which makes the image darker. This mode can be used to restore very light photos, by duplicating the main layer and setting the top layer to Multiplication.

Darkening the base (Color burn)

By increasing saturation and contrast, this mode produces a powerful effect. It also darkens a little, be careful with this mode as the colors will take on an unnatural appearance and your printer will not be able to display them correctly.

Linear burn

This mode darkens the bottom layer to reveal the color of the top layer by reducing the brightness.

Darker color

Here, only pixels that are darker than the pixels of the bottom layer remain visible.

3. Lightening modes (Lighten)

When using Lightening modes, black is ignored. These modes can be used to remove a black background while leaving other colors untouched, and also to overlay textures on a black background.

Replacement with light (Lighten)

Using this mode we get the opposite effect of the mode Darken. Reveals light pixels.

Screen

This mode performs the same calculations as the Multiplication, but uses inverted values ​​to show final result. This mode brightens the image. It can be used to lighten dark photographs by duplicating and setting the top layer to this mode.

Lightening the base (Color dodge)

Similar to mode Screen, but the black color on the top layer does not affect the result, and the other colors will lighten the underlying ones slightly, by raising the saturation and lowering the contrast to find a suitable tone. Good for creating strong effects.

Linear Dodge (Add)

The colors here are combined by increasing the brightness, light colors are replaced by lighter ones. Is a combination of modes Screen And Lightening the base ( Color Dodge) .

Lighter Color

Only pixels that are lighter than the pixels in the bottom layer remain visible.

4. Contrast modes

For all modes in this group, the ignored color is 50% gray (except for the Hard Mix).

Overlay

This mode blends the colors of both layers evenly and lends itself well to changes in transparency. It eliminates the light parts and multiplies the dark ones. At low transparency, it is similar to the mode Normal, but with more intense colors. Good for adding texture to an image.

Soft light

This mode lightens and darkens the colors of the image depending on the color of the top layer. This is almost the same as a diffuse light filter. Good for adjusting tones, increasing contrast in low-contrast images, and lowering the transparency for an even more subtle effect.

Hard light

Similar to the previous mode. Almost never used because Soft light(Soft light) more controlled. It will darken the image if it's dark at the top, brighten it if it's light, and increase the contrast.

Vivid Light

This mode darkens or lightens the colors in the image depending on the colors on the top layer. It appears that different contrast values ​​have been added to the image.

Linear light

If the top layer is bright, then the bottom layer will lighten, if it is dark, then it will darken.

Pin light

You can get different results with this mode, it works by moving the colors in the image depending on whether they are light or dark colors on the active layer.

Hard Mix

It gives a similar result, mixing the brightness of the top layer with the color of the bottom, the contrast here is at its maximum. The result is a very bright image, and in large pieces. Creates a posterized image that is limited in colors.

5. Comparative modes

The image we get as a result directly depends on the difference between both layers.

Difference

Suitable for creating various effects. It reverses tones and colors, the brightness here depends on the difference in pixels.

Exception

Softer version of the mode Difference, the contrast is small. Typically used to tone an image by laying down a solid color and significantly reducing the opacity.

Subtraction

The brightness of the top layer is subtracted from the bottom. When the pixel brightness of the top layer is greater than or equal to the brightness of the bottom layer, the resulting color changes to black.

Divide

Similar to the previous mode, only with stronger lightening.

6. Component modes (HSL)

The result depends on the brightness and color of the layers. These modes are typically used to shade and recolor objects in an image.

Hue

Here, the colors of the top layer are mixed with the saturation and brightness of the bottom layer. This gives a strong effect. Alternate mode- This Color.

Saturation

With this mode, the saturation levels of the bottom layer are changed to the corresponding pixels of the top layer. Useful for making an object take on the color or texture of another.

Color

Here only the brightness of the bottom layer is used, and the color and saturation come from the top layer. Suitable for recoloring an image.

Luminosity

From the top layer, only the brightness of the light remains, and the color and saturation come from the bottom layer. If this mode does not work, try another of the 3 above.

Now, to consolidate the material, I advise you to conduct your own experiment, this way you will quickly understand the properties of each mode and see whether the definitions of the modes are similar to your result or not.

See you in the next lesson!

Greetings, readers of the site. Today we will talk about blending modes in photoshop(sometimes they are also called blending modes). I assume you are already familiar with what it is. If not, then I advise you to read about blending modes in Photoshop in the lesson.

Yes, this is the same Blend Mode that I talk about in almost every Photoshop tutorial. The blending modes are located in the layers panel, here:

However, their sphere of influence is not limited to this, and find blending modes You can also use layer styles:

Photoshop users are free to choose from 27 blending modes:

As you can see, all modes are divided into 6 groups, according to the principle of influencing the lower pixels: standard modes, Burn, Lighten, Contrast, Compare and Color modes.

Let us now look at each group in more detail.

I will give an explanation for each blending mode, as well as a visual illustration in the form of an overlay of this texture:

To this image:

Standard modes

Normal(Ordinary). This mode is the default and has no special blending options.

Dissolve(Dissolution). “Dissolves” the current layer, i.e. removes some of the pixels in a random order, resulting in a scattering effect. To see this mode in action, you need to reduce the layer's opacity:

Dimming Modes

This group's blending modes darken the image as well as white pixels become transparent.

Darken(Dark Replace) - Compares the brightness of the pixels of the current layer and the pixels of the layer that is located below. All pixels on the current layer that are darker than the bottom ones remain, while the rest become transparent.

Multiply(Multiply) - The name says it all, this blending mode makes intersecting colors 2 times darker. It is usually used to darken a very light image or add depth.

Color Burn(Color Darkening) - The effect is similar to the Multiply mode, but it increases the saturation of the image.

Linear Burn(Linear Dimming) - Similar to Multiply, except that it dims intersecting points more than twice.

Darker Color(Color is darker) - Compares everything color channels, highlighting the base and composite colors, and then displays the color with the lowest value.

Lightening modes

The blending modes in this group lighten the image and replace black pixels with transparent ones.

Lighten(Replace with light) - Works exactly the opposite of the Darken mode, that is, it leaves those pixels of the current layer that are lighter and removes the rest.

Screen(Screen) - Makes intersecting colors 2x lighter. One of the options is to brighten photographs (duplicate the photo layer and apply this blending mode)

Color Dodge(Base Lighten) - Makes the black colors invisible, and the remaining colors lighten the image on the layer below. Increases image saturation.

Linear Dodge (Add) (Linear basis) - The same as Color Dodge, only the brightness increases, not saturation.

Lighten Color(Lighter Color) - Works the opposite of Darker Color (displays the color with the highest value).

Contrast modes

The blending modes of this group take into account both light and dark pixels, unlike the previous two. And the modes of this group work with image contrast.

Overlay(Overlay) - Mixes pixels on the current and lower layers, removes light areas, and multiplies dark ones.

Soft Light(Soft Light) - Darkens or lightens the color on the bottom layer, depending on the color of the current one.

Hard Light(Hard light) - Similar to the previous one, but the effect is stronger. Darkens the bottom colors if the current layer has a dark color, and lightens it if it is light.

Vivid Light(Bright Light) - Almost the same as Soft Light, but the contrast value is adjusted.

Linear Light(Linear Light) - Depending on the color of the current layer, it greatly highlights or darkens the image. Can be used to simulate image flare.

Pin Light (Spot light) — Depending on what colors (dark or light) are on the active layer, moves the colors on the layer below.

Hard Mix(Hard mix) - Mixing by brightness, the output is a very bright image :)

Comparison Modes

Difference(Difference) - Combines the top and bottom images on top of each other. The colors are reversed and their brightness depends on the difference.

Exclusion(Exception) - Same as Difference, but the contrast is much less.

Subtract(Subtraction) - Subtracts 8-bit colors from the base channels of each pixel on each layer. If the result is negative, black is displayed.

Divide(Separation) - Divides the colors of the top and bottom images into each other.

Color Modes

This group of Photoshop blending modes allows you to blend just one parameter (such as color or brightness) without affecting the others.

Hue (Color tone) — Applies the color tone of the top layer to the bottom layer, leaving all other parameters of the bottom layer untouched.

Saturaion(Saturation) - The same thing, only for saturation,

Color(Color) - the same for color,

Luminosity(Brightness) - and for brightness.

Overall, blending modes give you immeasurably more freedom and flexibility when working with images in Photoshop than simply changing parameters. And in combination with styles and layer masks, this is perhaps the most powerful tool creating amazing effects.

We've covered everything blending modes layers in photoshop I hope this one photoshop lesson was useful for you, do not forget to leave comments. With that, I wish you success, and say goodbye to new meeting in the next lesson.

Blend modes in Photoshop, at first glance, are not simple theme. There really is nothing simpler than blending modes in Photoshop. All you need to do is explain them correctly. And you will see this for yourself. Blending modes are scattered throughout Photoshop. They're in toolbars, they're in layers, they're in styles. We'll talk about blending modes in the Layers panel, although the role of modes is the same no matter where they are found. How do our venerable Photoshoppers from other sites usually cover Blending modes?

I went through the top lessons and articles that I found in Google And Yandex. IN best case scenario pros take 1-2 photos. And apply all the blending modes to them in turn, right down the list, from top to bottom. Of course, in a couple of options the “effect” turns out to be interesting, in other options it turns out to be darkness and horror. Some of the examples are impossible to understand, despite the description. Because the picture is some kind of nonsense, and it’s not clear at all why and what this particular mode is for.

Each mode was created for its own individual situation. You can’t apply them all to the same photo and conclude that this couple of modes are good, and it’s better to never use the rest.

When I started working in Photoshop, I also read these articles and could not understand anything. Blend modes seemed to me like some kind of chaotic effects that I don’t understand how they create or what effects when layers are superimposed on each other, and there is no way to understand what they do and what they are intended for. A simple, stupid selection of modes, oh, this looks good, I’ll leave it. In reality, you don't need to understand the entire list of 25 modes. It is enough to understand only three of them.

That's right, three blending modes and you become a master of blending modes. Never again will you click through all 25 modes in a row, because now you know exactly what effect you want to get and what to achieve. And these three blend modes, of course, Multiply, Screen And Overlay.

How do Blending Modes work?

One glance at the menu with overlay modes is enough to understand that they are not arranged chaotically. All modes Blending mode grouped. We will analyze the 3 largest groups of these modes. Burn, lighten and contrast groups. Each group has its own priority mode. In the dimming group it is Multiply, in the lightening group it is Screen, in the contrast group Overlay. All other modes in each group are just varieties and variations of these three. Therefore, having understood how they work Multiply, Screen And Overlay you'll instantly understand 17 of the 25 blend modes.

When blending layers, Photoshop is guided by the tone of the layer. Hue and degree of lightness of the layer Lightnes. How does this happen? For example, I will choose 3 options for red.

  • The first sample is pure red R255 G0 B0
  • The second option is pure light red, with a high degree of white Lightnes R255 G130 B130
  • The third option is an insufficiently saturated red R180 G76 B76

Among other things, half of each rectangle contains colored area, to which I applied Desaturate. They are a black and white mirror of their colored counterparts, clearly demonstrating how light the colored rectangles are, if we consider only this parameter.

Photoshop evaluates the top and bottom layers. In the case of Multiply, Screen and Overlay modes, the most important thing for Photoshop is the level of lightness and darkness. In each mode, Photoshop either removes dark pixels, or removes light ones, or both. Next, Photoshop adds a color tone. For example, I chose the mode Multiply and that's what happens.

Photoshop calculates the lightness level of objects. In case of mode Multipy Photoshop kills all the light pixels making the graphics darker. Actually Multiply does the same thing that a printer does when it sprays one paint on top of another. Overlapping colors become darker. In those places where the gradient turns gray, rectangles appear. However, more on this below.

Multiply blend mode

Multiply mode is a dimming mode. When we assign a layer mode Multiply, Photoshop analyzes the layer below and kills all the light areas of the layer with Multiply. The white areas disappear completely. Light grays become translucent. But the blacks remain. In mode Multiply dark pixels always win.

In the picture below I have a black and white gradient in the background. And four rectangles with gradients of black and pure colors.

After applying the mode Multiply the light areas of the rectangles disappear. And this is how the regime works Multiply. The rest of the blending modes in the Burn group work exactly the same, with varying degrees of dissolution of white areas and contrast.

Multiply application example

For my example I will select and image drawn Shillien Black. First I put Adriana Lima on work area. Next is the background, we don’t need it.

Below Adriana's layer I place another layer of paper texture. For Adriana I apply the blending mode Multiply.

To finalize the result, I attach two color correction layers to Adriana. Levels And Hue Saturation.

You can download the source file with all layers at the end of the article. And this is one way to work with blending mode Multiply.

Screen blend mode

Screen acts opposite to the regime Multiply. Instead of darkening, it brightens. The image below shows the familiar gradient and rectangles. When you turn on the mode Screen Dark areas disappear from rectangles. And that's how it works Screen. This time the bright pixels win. Light areas remain, slightly light areas intensify, dark areas go away.

In our case, Screen completely dissolves the black pixels of the last rectangle, but leaves the tonal colors of the rest, only slightly brightening them. The rest of the blending modes in the dodge group work exactly the same way. The variations are different, the principle is the same. Black pixels go away, white pixels remain and increase their meaning.

Screen application example

I'm using the same texture, but this time I'm darkening it a little and lowering the saturation to make the effect more pronounced.

On top of the texture I put a photo of clouds.

And now I use the blend mode Screen.

And for comparison, the mode Screen and mode Multiply in one bottle. In the first case, light pixels win. In the second, Black wins.

Overlay blend mode

Unlike the darken and lighten modes Multiply And Screen, Overlay is the contrast mode. What does it mean? It means that Overlay kills those close to 50% Gray pixels, leaving only pronounced dark and pronounced light. He superimposes these areas on the image, enhancing the contrast of the picture. The image below shows how the middle part of the gradient has dissolved.

The rest of the blending modes from the Contrast group work exactly the same, with minor variations. With an example close to reality, the mode Overlay interacts as follows.

Example of using Overlay

Undoubtedly, this mode is worth using in cases where we want to increase the contrast of the image + get some interesting interactions. I select Adriana Lima again, but this time I don't mask out the background. To Lima itself I will apply Hue Saturation and lower the tone saturation so that the skin color does not “burn out” when the contrast increases.

Now I'll place the texture on top of Lima and apply a blend mode to it Overlay. To make the effect more expressive, I darken the texture a little using a color correction layer. Then the dark pixels will be much more pronounced. Consequently, the contrast will also increase.

If you have read this article to the end, then I am sure that now you will not work with blending modes Blending Mode , like a blind kitten, calling out modes in vain at random. Now you know exactly what the different groups of blending modes do and in what situations you should use them. I'll talk about other blending modes in future articles and tutorials.

Layers in Photoshop have two important attribute: Layer blend modes and transparency. Thanks to these attributes, the layers are not just superimposed on each other, as in an appliqué, but are also mixed using different algorithms. This allows you to quickly and flexibly control the color of the image, adjust the transparency of the layer, and therefore create new images and embody the most daring ideas.

Controlling layer blending modes and transparency

Some attributes are available directly in the Layers palette. First of all, these are the blending mode and transparency.

Transparency is adjusted with two tools. Fill (Fill) affects the transparency of only the pixels of the layer, but Opacity (Opacity) affects the opacity of pixels and layer effects.

The following tools are located at the bottom of the panel:

  • Creating a link between layers - you can link two or more layers or groups to each other. Unlike selecting multiple layers, linked layers remain linked until you unlink them.
  • Applying effects to layers – opens the Blending Options panel.
  • Adding a mask to a layer - a regular, white mask is created, and if you hold Alt and click on the button, an opaque mask is created.
  • Creating an adjustment layer - unlike a regular adjustment, say Curves - the adjustment layer can be changed at any time.
  • Creating a folder for layers is very convenient when working with big amount layers, group them.
  • Create a new layer.
  • Deleting a layer.

How layer blend modes work

Let's look at how layer blend modes work in three different situations:

  1. Duplicate layer is overlaid
  2. Overlay color
  3. Another image is overlaid, such as a texture

Normal (Normal)

The pixels in the top layer are opaque and therefore obscure the layer below. Changing the opacity of the top layer will make it translucent and cause it to blend into the other layer. In this example, the transparency of the top layer is 100%, except for the inscription - there is 50%.


Dissolve (Dissolution)

Combines the top layer with the bottom layer using a pixel pattern. There will be no effect if the top layer has 100% opacity. Reduce the opacity to reveal the effect.


Dimming group

Compares two sources and replaces light pixel values ​​with dark pixel values. This mode looks at the color information in each channel and selects the resulting color as either the primary color or the blend color, whichever is darker. Pixels with a color lighter than the blend are replaced, while pixels with a color darker than the blend remain unchanged.


Darkens the entire image. Useful for increasing the density of highlights and midtones. If the top layer is white, no changes will occur.

This mode looks at the color information in each channel and multiplies the base color value by the blend color value. The resulting color is always a darker color. Multiplying the value of any color by the value of black produces the color black. As a result of multiplying the value of any color by the value white the color remains unchanged. When painting with colors other than black or white, successive strokes applied with the paint tool create progressively darker colors. This effect is similar to drawing an image using multiple markers.


Allows you to get a darker image with increased contrast. If the top layer is white, no changes will occur.


A stronger combination of the Multiply and Color Burn blending modes, converting dark pixels to black. If the top layer is white, no changes will occur.

Compares the total value of all channels for the blend and primary colors and displays the color with the lowest value. Darker mode does not create a third color.


Lightening group

The opposite mode to Darken mode darkens dark pixels with lighter ones.


Brightens the entire image. Use it to brighten dark areas of an image, as well as to bring out detail in underexposed images.


The effect is similar to Screen, but is noticeably stronger in light areas due to the development of more saturated and contrasting colors bottom layer. Simulates underexposure in the photographic process.


Combination Screen modes and Color Dodge; light values ​​are converted to white. If the top layer is black, there will be no effect.


Contrast increase group

Darkens dark pixels (Multiply) and brightens (Screen) light ones, which increases contrast without clipping shadows and highlights. If the top layer is 50% gray, there will be no effect.


A combination of Dodge mode, which brightens light pixels, and Burn mode, which darkens dark pixels. Increases contrast slightly less than Overlay and Hard Light modes.


Uses the same method as Overlay mode, but the effect is stronger.


If the top layer is lighter than 50% gray, then the top layer is lightened by decreasing the contrast (Color Burn), and if it is darker, then it is darkened by increasing the contrast (Color Dodge).


Similar to Vivid Light mode. If the top layer is lighter than 50% gray, then the top layer is lightened by increasing the brightness (Linear Burn), and if it is darker, then it is darkened by decreasing the brightness (Linear Dodge).


Combines Darken and Lighten modes to replace pixel values. If the top layer is lighter than 50% gray, the pixels are brightened using the Lighten mode, and if darker than 50% gray, the pixels are darkened using the Darken mode.


Brightens light pixels and darkens dark pixels to threshold values. This leads to extreme posterization. The glow of the top layer mixes with the color of the bottom.


Comparison group

Represents identical pixels as black, similar ones as dark gray, and opposite ones as inverted. If the top layer is black, there will be no changes.


Similar to Difference mode, but provides less contrast. Overlaying on black does not lead to any changes, but overlaying on white pixels results in an inversion of the compared values, which leads to their display gray.


Image Component Group

Combines the Luminance and Saturation of the bottom layer with the Hue of the top layer.


Combines the Luminance and Hue of the bottom layer with the Saturation of the top layer.


Color

Combines the Hue and Saturation of the top layer and the Luminance of the bottom layer.

When it comes to learning Photoshop, it actually means thoroughly learning just a few features, believe it or not. Of course, the Photoshop program is multifunctional and with each new version filled with more and more all kinds of tools and parameters. But do you really need the most latest version program with its numerous properties in order to process your photos?

You might think, “Yes, of course,” but most likely your answer will be no. With a little knowledge and skills in working with the basic tools of the program, you will be able to successfully process most photos. Despite the fact that with each subsequent version of Photoshop, additional properties and the options, the basic tools you need to know, are the same in both Photoshop CS3 and Photoshop 3, when the ability to work with layers first appeared.

So, what do you need to be able to do in Photoshop? Firstly, use basic selection tools, and secondly, know what layers are for and how to work with them. Understanding how layer masks work is also important. Finally, you need to know how and when to use layer blending modes, which is the topic of our tutorial today.

To put it simply in simple language, blending modes allow a layer to interact or “blend” with an underlying layer or multiple layers different ways. Without using blending modes, the only way to combine layers is to reduce the layer's opacity (or fill it), which may not produce very interesting results. By using blending modes, we not only get unpredictable and incredible results, especially in combination with the work of layer masks, but also make our task much easier when editing, retouching or restoring photos, also saving time!

Of course, as with Photoshop itself, you don't need to know absolutely everything about blend modes to successfully use them in your work. Photoshop CS2 had twenty-three blend modes (including the default Normal mode), Photoshop CS3 added two more modes, bringing the total to twenty-five - a huge list to choose from! Names like Fade, Base Dodge, Linear Burn, Difference, and Eliminate are enough to leave you scratching your head wondering what these modes are and how to use them.

I'll tell you a little secret. Of course, it's not really a secret, but you're encouraged by the thought that you're going to learn something that no one else knows, so let's call it a secret. As I already mentioned, you don't need to know all the intricacies of working with all the blending modes. In fact, for most of your photos, it's enough to have an understanding of the five blend modes. Yes, yes, not about twenty-three or twenty-five modes, but only about five! What are these modes? Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Color and Luminosity. By learning how and when to use these modes, you'll be able to edit your photos with ease.

Before we start learning how each of the five blend modes works, let's learn where they are located. If you think you can find them in the Layers menu bar at the top of the screen, you're a little mistaken. In fact, if we clicked on the menu bar every time we wanted to change the layer’s blending mode, then this would be a real problem. Luckily, Adobe realized that we are all too lazy for this action and made our lives easier. You can get fast access to blend modes by selecting the drop-down box in the top left corner of the layers panel. By default, the blending mode is “Normal”:

Blending modes drop-down box in the top left corner of the layers panel

Small important note- if you look at the image above, you'll notice that I went ahead and created a copy of the original layer background(by pressing Ctrl+J / Command+J), and now I have this copy selected called “Layer 1”. I did this because Photoshop treats the background layer differently from other layers and does not allow us to change the blend mode while working with it.

If you're not following my steps while working on your own, and you notice that your Blending Modes drop-down box is grayed out (inactive), the most likely reason is that you only have one layer created in the Layers panel, and it's called "Background" ( Background). To access blend modes, you must either create a copy of the background layer or rename the background layer itself.

When you click on small icon in the form of two arrows next to the word “Normal” and open a window with a list of all the blend modes, you may at first think that there is no sense or logic in the order of their placement, especially if you are not familiar with how these modes work. I work in this moment in the version of Photoshop CS2, which has twenty-three blending modes, and in the version of Photoshop CS3, as I mentioned earlier, there are twenty-five of them.

If you look more closely, you'll notice that the blending modes are actually grouped together. The top two modes “Normal” and “Dissolve” make up the first group, the lower modes are “Darken”, “Multiply” (Color Burn) and “Linear Dimmer” (Linear Burn) make up the second group, etc. There are six groups in total, and you might think that the reason the modes are grouped together is because the modes have something in common. You are absolutely right!

Although, you would be right to leave out the first group at the very top of the list. The “Normal” and “Fading” modes have nothing in common, and, nevertheless, are combined into one group. You could easily go your entire life without using the Fade mode as it's pretty useless, especially when editing images, while the Normal mode is the default and means all layers are adjusted automatically without any changes on your part .

So the first group is not really a group, unless you call it a group of "regimes that have nothing in common." The rest of the blend modes are grouped because they actually have something mutual friend with a friend. Below is a diagram of all groups:

Diagram showing different groups of blending modes

As you can see in the multi-color scheme above (I chose different colors for ease of viewing), the blending modes are Darken, Multiply, Color Burn and Linear Burn ( Linear Burn) form a group of dimming modes. Why? Because each of these modes makes the image darker. Please note that the Multiply mode is included in this group. If you remember, Multiply mode is one of the five modes you definitely need to know, and we'll explore it in more detail soon.

Next are the Lighten, Screen, Color Dodge, and Linear Dodge modes, which make up a group of lightening modes. Each of them brightens the image. Please note that the Screen mode, which is part of the Lightening modes group, is another mode that you should know how to work and which we will look at in more detail.

Below are the modes “Overlay”, “Soft Light”, “Hard Light”, “Vivid Light”, “Linear Light”, “Spot Light” (Pin Light) and “Hard Mix”, which make up a group of contrast modes. Each of these modes simultaneously darkens and brightens the image, making it more contrasty. Note that the Overlay mode you need to know is included in this group.

Next comes a group of modes that we will not consider in detail. It includes the Difference and Exclusion modes and is called the comparison mode group. Both of these modes are designed to compare pixels between layers and are not used often, especially when processing photos. You will rarely need the Difference mode, and you will use the Exception mode just as often as the Fade mode, in other words, almost never.

And finally there is a group of component modes, also known as HSL group(Hue, Saturation and Luminosity) according to the first letters of the three blending modes included in it, along with the Color mode. All modes in this group affect the level of brightness or saturation of the layer. The Color and Luminance modes are the last of the five basic modes you need to know for editing and retouching photos in Photoshop.

Thus, we have seen that, despite the huge list of blending modes, there are only five types of blending modes. Modes of the first type darken the image, modes of the second type brighten the image, modes of the third type both darken and lighten the image to give greater contrast, modes of the fourth type compare pixels between different layers, and finally modes of the fifth type affect the degree of brightness or saturation. Images. We managed to organize twenty-five, at first glance, completely different modes overlays and break them down into five types (excluding Normal and Fade modes, which shouldn't bother us). Not a bad start! But we can go further, because you only need to know five blend modes to be able to process photos - one from the group of darkening modes, one from the group of dodge modes, one from the group of contrast modes and two from the group of component modes.

The first mode that we need to study in detail is the “Multiply” mode. As we previously saw in the diagram, this mode is included in the group of dimming modes. This means that the mode is aimed at darkening the image. In fact, this is the only mode in the group of darkening modes that you need to know well, and it is also the most widely used of all the blend modes. We'll look at the Multiply mode in more detail in the next lesson.

Translation: Ksenia Rudenko