The Science of All 27 Blend Modes in Photoshop!

PiXimperfect・2 minutes read

Unmesh from PiXimperfect explains all 27 main Blend Modes in Photoshop, categorizing them for easy understanding and demonstrating their effects with examples. The Blend Modes range from Normal, Darken, Multiply, to Contrast, each altering colors and brightness levels in images for unique effects and adjustments.

Insights

  • Understanding Blend Modes in Photoshop is crucial for manipulating image elements effectively, with each mode offering unique ways to alter colors, brightness, and contrast.
  • The Luminosity Blend Mode in Photoshop is a powerful tool that solely impacts brightness levels, allowing for adjustments like contrast enhancement or black and white conversions without changing the original colors, providing a versatile editing option.

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Recent questions

  • What are Blend Modes in Photoshop?

    Blend Modes in Photoshop alter how layers interact.

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Summary

00:00

Understanding Photoshop Blend Modes for Creative Editing

  • Unmesh from PiXimperfect presents a guide to understanding all 27 main Blend Modes in Photoshop quickly.
  • Blend Modes are categorized into groups, with the first being the Normal group where layers do not interact.
  • The Dissolve Blend Mode in the Normal group shows transparency in dots when Opacity is decreased.
  • The Darken group includes Blend Modes that darken elements, with Darken being the first in this group.
  • Darken Blend Mode hides pixels brighter than the projected surface, demonstrated with examples.
  • Multiply Blend Mode multiplies colors, darkens, and shows 100% black while hiding 100% white.
  • Color Burn Blend Mode darkens, adds color, and reacts uniquely to Opacity and Fill adjustments.
  • Linear Burn is similar to Color Burn but does not keep 100% white as white, making it different.
  • Darker Color Blend Mode is an extreme version of Darken, hiding brighter pixels more harshly.
  • Lighten and Screen Blend Modes are opposites of Darken and Multiply, respectively, brightening elements.

13:10

"Enhancing Contrast and Color in Images"

  • Darker Color is an extreme version of Darken, functioning in an intensified manner.
  • Lighter Color is the extreme counterpart of Lighten, showcasing the opposite effect.
  • Darker Color reveals two bars when selected, while Lighter Color hides those bars.
  • Contrast group's purpose is to enhance brightness and darkness in images.
  • Overlay Blend Mode brightens areas lighter than 50% gray and darkens those darker.
  • Soft Light is a milder version of Overlay, offering less contrast.
  • Hard Light is a faded contrast version of Overlay, providing a subtle effect.
  • Vivid Light and Linear Light maintain contrast and add color, with Linear Light altering whites and blacks.
  • Pin Light combines Darken and Lighten Blend Modes for a unique effect.
  • Hard Mix Blend Mode limits colors to eight specific shades, including black, white, RGB, and CMY.

26:20

Color Blend Modes for Creative Effects

  • Difference Blend Mode calculates the difference between RGB values of two colors, changing the color instantly.
  • It can be used to align elements by showing disparities in color when not aligned.
  • The mode is useful for aligning elements like eyes in photos for a seamless look.
  • The Blend Mode does not invert mid tones and can be used artistically for faded effects.
  • Exclusion Blend Mode creates unique effects by making black disappear and showing opposite colors.
  • Subtract Blend Mode subtracts RGB values of colors, resulting in a new color.
  • It is different from the Difference Blend Mode as it only subtracts values.
  • Divide Blend Mode divides colors using simple math, resulting in different color effects.
  • Component Blend Modes like Hue, Saturation, and Color alter specific color components in images.
  • Each component mode has a distinct effect on the image's color appearance.

39:05

Photoshop's Luminosity Blend Mode for Color Effects

  • Blend modes in Photoshop allow for different effects on images based on color and brightness levels.
  • The Luminosity Blend Mode specifically affects only brightness levels, leaving colors untouched.
  • By changing the Blend Mode to Luminosity, adjustments like contrast or black and white conversions can be made without affecting the original colors.
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