A blending mode is the way two layers interact with each other in terms of how their pixels are blended. These modes determine how the colour and luminosity information of one layer blends with the layer or layers below it.
Blending Mode Characteristics
The features depend on each of the blending modes, but let’s describe the features that can be found in these modes:
- Layer Interaction: Each blend mode defines a specific rule for how a layer will interact with the layers below it. This interaction can be based on the values of lightness, saturation, hue and other aspects of the layers.
- Pixel mathematics: Use mathematical operations to determine the value of each pixel in the resulting merged layer.
- Final result: Depending on the selected blending mode, the final result can vary from subtle adjustments to colour and tone to dramatic transformations.
- Light and dark: Some blending modes, such as “Multiply” or “Raster”, focus primarily on darkening or lightening the image, respectively.
- Preserving aspects of the image: Certain modes will preserve some aspects of an image while altering others. For example, the “Colour” mode will change the hue and saturation of the bottom layer to match the top layer, but maintain the lightness of the bottom layer.
- Applicability: Not all blending modes are suitable for all situations. Some are excellent for photographic corrections, while others are more suitable for artistic effects or graphic design.
- Versatility: While each mode has a specific purpose, versatility comes from how they are used in combination with other settings and tools, such as opacity, layer masks and colour adjustments.
- Content dependency: The effect of a blending mode can vary greatly depending on the specific content of the layers being blended. For example, a blend that works well with one photo may not be suitable for another.
- Influence of opacity: The opacity of a layer can influence the intensity of the blend. Reducing the opacity of a blended layer can soften the effect of the blend mode.
Types of Blending Mode
Applications such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP and many other image editing programs offer a variety of blend modes. Some of the most common blend modes include:
- Normal: This is the standard mode where the top layer covers the bottom layer.
- Multiply: Multiplies the colours of the layers, usually resulting in a darker image.
- Highlight: Increases the contrast between the layers.
- Overlay: Blends the layers to enhance contrast.
- Raster: Brightens the image by combining the light areas of the top layer with those of the bottom layer.
- Linear Overexpose: Lightens the image even more than the raster.
- Linearunderexposure: Darkens the image more than multiplication.
- Difference: Subtracts the colour values of the upper layer from those of the lower layer.
- Exclusion: Similar to difference, but with less contrast.
- Colour: Applies the hue and saturation of the upper layer, but maintains the luminosity of the lower layer.
What are Blending Modes for?
Blending modes are very practical in graphic design that allow artists and designers to manipulate how two or more layers are combined and displayed. They are used in a variety of ways:
- Correction and enhancement: they can be used to correct exposure, contrast and other problems in a photograph. For example, by duplicating an image layer and applying the “Multiply” mode, you can darken an image that is overexposed.
- Creative Compositing: Allow you to overlay images, textures and patterns so that they interact with each other in visually interesting ways. This is especially useful in photomontages or designs that require the integration of various visual elements.
- Detail enhancement: Some modes, such as “Overlay” or “Highlight”, can be used to highlight details in images, such as textures or specific features.
- Creating special effects: Effects such as sparkles, halos, shadows, highlights and many others can be achieved by combining different images or layers with specific blending modes.
- Colour and Hue: Modes such as “Colour” or “Hue” allow you to change the colour or hue of an image based on another layer, which is useful for colouring, changing the mood or correcting colour casts.
- Film simulation and filters: The combination of adjustment layers and blending modes can replicate effects that in traditional photography would require specific filters or certain types of film.
- Graphic design: In design work, such as creating posters, logos or advertising, blending modes allow text, shapes and graphics to be integrated more seamlessly and with stunning visual effects.
- Digital art: Many digital artists use blending modes to mix colours, add highlights and shadows, and create more complex painting effects.