Adobe Photoshop - Blending Modes (blend)

Table of Contents

BYou can simply understand that a layer in Photoshop is a stack of transparent paper, partially or completely, one sheet stacked on top of another to create a finished image. In addition to "normal" layers, Photoshop also provides us with "special" layers that can affect the layers below them. They're great for creating cinematic images, adjusting lighting, color correction, and everything else you can think of, but first, read this tutorial to see how they work. how.

What is Blending Mode?

Blending Mode (also known as blending mode) is a set of effects that blend the colors of colored pixels from layers together.

This blending follows the rule of mixing 2 or more layers of different colors or objects to create a new image with new colors and more special effects for the photo in Photoshop.

Blending Mode has a total of 27 different blending effects and is divided into 5 main groups:

• Darkening – darkens the image.

• Lighting – brightens the image.

• Contrasting – combines both Darkening and Lighting to adjust the contrast of the image.

• Compare (Inversion) – Compare (to align and compare the differences between two images) or Invert colors.

• Component – ​​to edit color hue and saturation.

Mode shortcuts

Spoilers:

Description of blending modes

The first two blending modes (Normal and Dissolve) are not in any group.

• Normal – default does not apply effects.

• Dissolve – This blending mode works on pixels - it treats transparency as a pixel model and applies a diffuse vibration model. Blending occurs by turning pixels on or off. Make it look like snow on the picture. Only works when the layer has semi-transparent pixels (basically semi-transparent pixels), meaning those pixels still have color but can still be seen through them. Semi-transparent pixels are obtained when you use a brush with hardness <100% or apply a blur filter or set layer opacity below 100%. ,/p>

Darkening group

Very effective when editing and darkening any part of the image.

• Darken – If the pixels of the selected layer are darker than the pixels on the layers below, they will be kept in the image. If the pixels in the layer are lighter, they are replaced by the tones on the layers below (they show through the selected layer), so essentially the dark tones of all the layers are retained. Any light background areas will replace the darker colors on the blend layer. The result is a darker image. Compare each pixel of the layer applying this mode with the layers below, the darker pixel will be retained.

• Multiply – Except for white on mixed colors, other colors will gradually darken. This is like taking two sheets of transparent film, placing them on top of each other and keeping the light out. White is ignored. Combining a layer with this mode with the one below is called "multiplying", resulting in a color that is always "darker". (Application to fix glare in photos. Duplicate the layer of the glare image and set it to multiply mode)

• Color Burn – Darker than Multiply, with more highly saturated tones and reduced highlights. Photoshop will take information about the brightness and darkness of the layer applying this mode to increase contrast and darken the colors of the layers below. The darker the color, the higher the contrast. Mixing with white produces no change. Photoshop will take information about the brightness and darkness of the layer applying this mode to increase contrast and darken the colors of the layers below. The darker the color, the higher the contrast. (white color has no effect at all).

• Linear Burn – Darker than Multiply, but less saturated than Color Burn. This mode will help you reduce the brightness of the base color. Mixing with white produces no change. Get information about the brightness and darkness of the layer and apply this mode to darken the layers below. (white color has no effect).

• Darker Color – Similar to the Darken blend mode, but darker on the composite channel, instead of the separate RGB color channels. Similar to Darken, but different in that it works on all color channels, unlike Darken, which works on a channel-by-channel basis. (It can be understood that: with Darken, it considers each color channel, for example the Red channel, it considers which layer is less red - that is, "darker", it will retain the darker part of that channel. As for darker color is considered as a whole).

Lightning group

Helps brighten photos and correct underexposed photos. It is completely opposite to the Darkening group above. So in this part I will talk quickly and go over a few unimportant points.

• Lighten – as opposed to Darken: If the pixels of the selected layer are lighter in color than the pixels on the layers below, they will be kept in the image (As opposed to Darken). If the pixels in the layer are darker, they will be replaced by pixels on the layers below. Pick out the brighter pixel and keep that pixel. (applying it to the black layer is useless).

• Screen – as opposed to Multiply: Similar to the Lighten blend mode, but brighter and removes more dark pixels, and the result is a smoother transition. Works like the Multiply blend mode, but multiplies the bright pixels. but the result is always a brighter image (applying low light photo correction is quite good. The method is also to duplicate the layer and apply screen mode).

• Color Dodge – as opposed to Color Burn: Results in an intense color contrast, often resulting in saturated midtones and highlights. Use the layer's brightness information to apply this mode to increase contrast and lighten the color of the layer below it (black is useless).

• Linear Dodge - the opposite of Linear Burn: Use the brightness and darkness information of the layer applying this mode to increase the brightness of the layer below. Use the brightness information of the layer applying this mode to increase the brightness of the layer below it (black is also useless).

• Lighter Color – opposite of Darken Color: It works on all channels, not individual channels like Lighten. Works on all channels, not individual channels like Lighten.

Contrasting group

Combining both lighting and darkening, used to increase contrast in the image - also the group most commonly used by color blenders.

Note that when using this mode, the 50% gray color (#808080) will be useless, except in the case of Hard mix mode.

• Overlay – combination of Multiply and Screen: It is a combination of Screen mode on brighter pixels, and Multiply mode on darker pixels. It uses a half-strength mode of these modes, and the midtones (50% gray) become transparent. Advice for you when using Overlay when you want to increase the contrast of your photo is to choose 50% gray and then gently move up and down in the color selection panel for good results. Don't choose colors haphazardly when using this.

• Soft Light – combination of Darken and Lighten: It is a combination of Screen and Multiply modes. Similar to Overlay mode, but the result is more realistic, softer results and can create shadows. Gives a lighter effect than Overlay.

• Hard Light – combination of Linear Dodge and Linear Burn: It is a combination of Linear Dodge and Linear Burn modes. This effect is stronger than Overlay mode and results in brighter lighting.

• Vivid Light – combination of Color Burn and Color Dodge: It is a combination of Color Dodge and Color Burn modes. Similar to Hard Mix in Overdrive mode, and usually results in a stronger effect.

• Linear Light – combination of Linear Burn and Linear Dodge: It is a combination of Linear Burn and Linear Dodge modes.

• Battery Light – It is a combination of Lighten and Darken modes. If the dark pixels on the active layer are darker than the dark pixels on the layers below, they will be visible, otherwise, they will be removed. If the pixels on the active layer are brighter than the pixels on the layers below, they will also be retained. This mode will choose to preserve color based on the light/dark value of the layer applying this mode and the layers below. If the color of the layer with this mode is brighter than 50% gray, all pixels that are darker will be replaced, but if the color of the layer is darker than 50% gray, the opposite is true.

• Hard Mix – Uses a Linear Light blend mode set to threshold, so for each RGB color channel, the pixels in each channel are converted to black or white. It will return the colors Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, White or Black for you to see. If pixel color a has Red = 100, Green = 250, Blue = 0 + color b has Red = 50, Green = 100, Blue = 0, the returned result is 1 color R=0, G=255 and B=0 , that is, if Red (a) + Red (b) <255 then red (hard mix) = 0, and if red(a) + red(b)>=255 then red(hard mix)=255 .

Compare group

This group of effects works on finding variations between the base layers (4 gradients) and the blend layer to create a blend.

This group is often used to check for defective pixels when taking photos (smudges caused by unclean camera lenses, camera shake...), and is not used much in creating photo effects due to creating color mutations. too strong compared to the original image.

• Difference – Subtracts a pixel on the active layer, from a corresponding pixel in the composite view of the layers below (BA), and results in absolute numbers only (subtraction never creates output a negative number - if it turns negative) turns positive). It selectively inverts with black never inverted, white inverted completely, and all other luminance levels inverted based on their luminance on a channel-by-channel basis. With this blending mode, the colors are similar to each other, and the result is black. This mode is used to compare the differences between two images. If something is similar, it will be black .

• Exclusion - This mode retains the black color, and inverts (inverts) colors other than black, depending on the brightness of the color other than black, the level of invert is greater or less.

• Subtract – Compares the color value of 2 layers (base and blend layer), the new color is formed from subtracting the color value of the blend color from the base color, usually resulting in a darker image with a change significant color change.

• Divide – The blend color is divided by the base color, channel by channel, for each pixel. It usually produces a much brighter resulting color.

Component group

• Hue – Keeps the layer's Hue active, and blends the brightness and saturation of the layers below. Change the color tone of the image without affecting the brightness or darkness of the image .

• Saturation – Maintains the saturation of the active layer, and blends the brightness and hue from the layers below - where colors from the active layer are saturated, they will appear using brightness and hue from the layers below. Get the color saturation information of the layer and apply this mode to the layers below. If the layer applying the mode has many different colors, the results are not affected because it only takes the Saturation information in the color .

• Color – Keeps the color of the active layer, and blends the hue and saturation (hue) of the active layer with the luminance of lower layers (a handy way to change the color of an image). Replace color. If you replace it with black or white, the image will lose its color .

• Luminosity – Keeps the brightness of the active layer, and blends it with the hue and saturation (color) of the composite mode of the layers below. Use the light and dark information of this layer to apply to the layers below it .

Ps: Why are some lines crossed out? The lines are old explanations, I found new terms so I updated them but didn't delete them because for those who don't understand the new explanation will be easier to read and understand!

Compiled by Chun Productions

BYou can simply understand that a layer in Photoshop is a stack of transparent paper, partially or completely, one sheet stacked on top of another to create a finished image. In addition to "normal" layers, Photoshop also provides us with "special" layers that can affect the layers below them. They're great for creating cinematic images, adjusting lighting, color correction, and everything else you can think of, but first, read this tutorial to see how they work. how.

What is Blending Mode?

Blending Mode (also known as blending mode) is a set of effects that blend the colors of colored pixels from layers together.

This blending follows the rule of mixing 2 or more layers of different colors or objects to create a new image with new colors and more special effects for the photo in Photoshop.

Blending Mode has a total of 27 different blending effects and is divided into 5 main groups:

• Darkening – darkens the image.

• Lighting – brightens the image.

• Contrasting – combines both Darkening and Lighting to adjust the contrast of the image.

• Compare (Inversion) – Compare (to align and compare the differences between two images) or Invert colors.

• Component – ​​to edit color hue and saturation.

Mode shortcuts

Spoilers:

Description of blending modes

The first two blending modes (Normal and Dissolve) are not in any group.

• Normal – default does not apply effects.

• Dissolve – This blending mode works on pixels - it treats transparency as a pixel model and applies a diffuse vibration model. Blending occurs by turning pixels on or off. Make it look like snow on the picture. Only works when the layer has semi-transparent pixels (basically semi-transparent pixels), meaning those pixels still have color but can still be seen through them. Semi-transparent pixels are obtained when you use a brush with hardness <100% or apply a blur filter or set layer opacity below 100%. ,/p>

Darkening group

Very effective when editing and darkening any part of the image.

• Darken – If the pixels of the selected layer are darker than the pixels on the layers below, they will be kept in the image. If the pixels in the layer are lighter, they are replaced by the tones on the layers below (they show through the selected layer), so essentially the dark tones of all the layers are retained. Any light background areas will replace the darker colors on the blend layer. The result is a darker image. Compare each pixel of the layer applying this mode with the layers below, the darker pixel will be retained.

• Multiply – Except for white on mixed colors, other colors will gradually darken. This is like taking two sheets of transparent film, placing them on top of each other and keeping the light out. White is ignored. Combining a layer with this mode with the one below is called "multiplying", resulting in a color that is always "darker". (Application to fix glare in photos. Duplicate the layer of the glare image and set it to multiply mode)

• Color Burn – Darker than Multiply, with more highly saturated tones and reduced highlights. Photoshop will take information about the brightness and darkness of the layer applying this mode to increase contrast and darken the colors of the layers below. The darker the color, the higher the contrast. Mixing with white produces no change. Photoshop will take information about the brightness and darkness of the layer applying this mode to increase contrast and darken the colors of the layers below. The darker the color, the higher the contrast. (white color has no effect at all).

• Linear Burn – Darker than Multiply, but less saturated than Color Burn. This mode will help you reduce the brightness of the base color. Mixing with white produces no change. Get information about the brightness and darkness of the layer and apply this mode to darken the layers below. (white color has no effect).

• Darker Color – Similar to the Darken blend mode, but darker on the composite channel, instead of the separate RGB color channels. Similar to Darken, but different in that it works on all color channels, unlike Darken, which works on a channel-by-channel basis. (It can be understood that: with Darken, it considers each color channel, for example the Red channel, it considers which layer is less red - that is, "darker", it will retain the darker part of that channel. As for darker color is considered as a whole).

Lightning group

Helps brighten photos and correct underexposed photos. It is completely opposite to the Darkening group above. So in this part I will talk quickly and go over a few unimportant points.

• Lighten – as opposed to Darken: If the pixels of the selected layer are lighter in color than the pixels on the layers below, they will be kept in the image (As opposed to Darken). If the pixels in the layer are darker, they will be replaced by pixels on the layers below. Pick out the brighter pixel and keep that pixel. (applying it to the black layer is useless).

• Screen – as opposed to Multiply: Similar to the Lighten blend mode, but brighter and removes more dark pixels, and the result is a smoother transition. Works like the Multiply blend mode, but multiplies the bright pixels. but the result is always a brighter image (applying low light photo correction is quite good. The method is also to duplicate the layer and apply screen mode).

• Color Dodge – as opposed to Color Burn: Results in an intense color contrast, often resulting in saturated midtones and highlights. Use the layer's brightness information to apply this mode to increase contrast and lighten the color of the layer below it (black is useless).

• Linear Dodge - the opposite of Linear Burn: Use the brightness and darkness information of the layer applying this mode to increase the brightness of the layer below. Use the brightness information of the layer applying this mode to increase the brightness of the layer below it (black is also useless).

• Lighter Color – opposite of Darken Color: It works on all channels, not individual channels like Lighten. Works on all channels, not individual channels like Lighten.

Contrasting group

Combining both lighting and darkening, used to increase contrast in the image - also the group most commonly used by color blenders.

Note that when using this mode, the 50% gray color (#808080) will be useless, except in the case of Hard mix mode.

• Overlay – combination of Multiply and Screen: It is a combination of Screen mode on brighter pixels, and Multiply mode on darker pixels. It uses a half-strength mode of these modes, and the midtones (50% gray) become transparent. Advice for you when using Overlay when you want to increase the contrast of your photo is to choose 50% gray and then gently move up and down in the color selection panel for good results. Don't choose colors haphazardly when using this.

• Soft Light – combination of Darken and Lighten: It is a combination of Screen and Multiply modes. Similar to Overlay mode, but the result is more realistic, softer results and can create shadows. Gives a lighter effect than Overlay.

• Hard Light – combination of Linear Dodge and Linear Burn: It is a combination of Linear Dodge and Linear Burn modes. This effect is stronger than Overlay mode and results in brighter lighting.

• Vivid Light – combination of Color Burn and Color Dodge: It is a combination of Color Dodge and Color Burn modes. Similar to Hard Mix in Overdrive mode, and usually results in a stronger effect.

• Linear Light – combination of Linear Burn and Linear Dodge: It is a combination of Linear Burn and Linear Dodge modes.

• Battery Light – It is a combination of Lighten and Darken modes. If the dark pixels on the active layer are darker than the dark pixels on the layers below, they will be visible, otherwise, they will be removed. If the pixels on the active layer are brighter than the pixels on the layers below, they will also be retained. This mode will choose to preserve color based on the light/dark value of the layer applying this mode and the layers below. If the color of the layer with this mode is brighter than 50% gray, all pixels that are darker will be replaced, but if the color of the layer is darker than 50% gray, the opposite is true.

• Hard Mix – Uses a Linear Light blend mode set to threshold, so for each RGB color channel, the pixels in each channel are converted to black or white. It will return the colors Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, White or Black for you to see. If pixel color a has Red = 100, Green = 250, Blue = 0 + color b has Red = 50, Green = 100, Blue = 0, the returned result is 1 color R=0, G=255 and B=0 , that is, if Red (a) + Red (b) <255 then red (hard mix) = 0, and if red(a) + red(b)>=255 then red(hard mix)=255 .

Compare group

This group of effects works on finding variations between the base layers (4 gradients) and the blend layer to create a blend.

This group is often used to check for defective pixels when taking photos (smudges caused by unclean camera lenses, camera shake...), and is not used much in creating photo effects due to creating color mutations. too strong compared to the original image.

• Difference – Subtracts a pixel on the active layer, from a corresponding pixel in the composite view of the layers below (BA), and results in absolute numbers only (subtraction never creates output a negative number - if it turns negative) turns positive). It selectively inverts with black never inverted, white inverted completely, and all other luminance levels inverted based on their luminance on a channel-by-channel basis. With this blending mode, the colors are similar to each other, and the result is black. This mode is used to compare the differences between two images. If something is similar, it will be black .

• Exclusion - This mode retains the black color, and inverts (inverts) colors other than black, depending on the brightness of the color other than black, the level of invert is greater or less.

• Subtract – Compares the color value of 2 layers (base and blend layer), the new color is formed from subtracting the color value of the blend color from the base color, usually resulting in a darker image with a change significant color change.

• Divide – The blend color is divided by the base color, channel by channel, for each pixel. It usually produces a much brighter resulting color.

Component group

• Hue – Keeps the layer's Hue active, and blends the brightness and saturation of the layers below. Change the color tone of the image without affecting the brightness or darkness of the image .

• Saturation – Maintains the saturation of the active layer, and blends the brightness and hue from the layers below - where colors from the active layer are saturated, they will appear using brightness and hue from the layers below. Get the color saturation information of the layer and apply this mode to the layers below. If the layer applying the mode has many different colors, the results are not affected because it only takes the Saturation information in the color .

• Color – Keeps the color of the active layer, and blends the hue and saturation (hue) of the active layer with the luminance of lower layers (a handy way to change the color of an image). Replace color. If you replace it with black or white, the image will lose its color .

• Luminosity – Keeps the brightness of the active layer, and blends it with the hue and saturation (color) of the composite mode of the layers below. Use the light and dark information of this layer to apply to the layers below it .

Ps: Why are some lines crossed out? The lines are old explanations, I found new terms so I updated them but didn't delete them because for those who don't understand the new explanation will be easier to read and understand!