Lecture Notes on Photoshop Blend Modes

Introduction to Blend Modes

• Blend Modes: Control the way a layer interacts with other layers.
• Types: Layer blend modes and brush blend modes. (Separate video for brush blend modes)

Key Blend Modes

• Normal: Default blend mode, often just a "picture over picture" effect.
  • In groups, the default is 'Pass Through' which allows adjustments to pass through; changing it to 'Normal' limits them to the group.
• Screen: Makes black areas disappear and brightens the rest.
• Multiply: Darkens everything, keeps the blacks, and hides the whites.
• Overlay: Increases contrast, blends by brightening dark areas and darkening light areas, hides 50% gray.
• Soft Light: Similar to Overlay but with lower intensity.
• Color: Changes only the color, keeps brightness and contrast the same.

Practical Examples

Normal Blend Mode

• Keep a picture atop another picture.
• Using curves to darken highlights without affecting the whole image.
• When in groups, changing from 'Pass Through' to 'Normal' to limit curve adjustments.

Multiply Blend Mode

• Usage Tips:
  • Darkens overall image scenarios, especially useful for shadows.
  • Copying the layer and changing blend mode to Multiply.
  • Using curves adjustment layer to avoid destructive editing; apply Blend If to control areas of effect.

Screen Blend Mode

• Usage Tips:
  • Brightening overall image scenarios.
  • Avoiding destructive editing with adjustment layers in Screen mode.
  • Adding overlays like smoke or light leaks to images.
  • Trick for non-destructive brightening: create a new layer, add adjustment layer, and set blend mode to Screen.

Overlay and Soft Light Blend Modes

• Overlay: Intense contrast, hides 50% gray, brightens lighter areas, and darkens darker ones.
• Soft Light: Similar to Overlay but with a softer effect.
• Usage of texture overlays to add effect to images.

Color Blend Mode

• Simplifies changing the color of objects without affecting brightness or contrast.
  • Practical use: Correcting color casts in images (e.g., skin tones).

Summary of Blend Modes

• Normal: Default, layer pass-through in groups.
• Screen: Brightens, hides black.
• Multiply: Darkens, hides white.
• Overlay/Soft Light: Increases contrast, hides 50% gray.
• Color: Changes color, not brightness.

Additional Resources

• Access full courses and practice files via learnphotoshopfree.com or YouTube channel.
• Playlist contains regular updates and additional tips.

Thank You

• Acknowledgment to Patreon supporters for making the series possible.

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