Basic Tutorials, Photoshop, tutorials
- October 26, 2008 - No Comments
Blending Modes Exposed II
In part 1 of editing with blending modes, we had a look at adjusting density using screen and multiply modes, now we are going to look at how to change the look of a photo using gaussian blur, blend modes and the blend if grey sliders.
Using the blend modes to adjust density
High Key Glows
Step 1
Correct the density and any flaws in the photo.
Step 2
Duplicate the layer and go to filter>blur>gaussian blur. Use a radius of 10px to 30px, depending on the resolution of the photo and the desired effect.
For the photo in this example, I have used a radius of 10px.
Step 3
Right click on the layer and choose blending options from the fly out menu.
Change the blend mode to screen and move the black blend if sliders to 100/255. Now press command/crtl-J three to four times to duplicate the screen layer.
As you can see this glow technique shown above creates a beautiful highly romantic effect. You can also see on the right hand side how the sliders blend hide part of the layer, depending on which sliders you move. By splitting them (by holding the alt key) you can make theĀ transition smooth between the visible and hidden areas.
Highlight Glows
Step 1
Correct the density and any flaws in the photo.
Step 2
Duplicate the layer and go to filter>blur>gaussian blur. Use a radius of 10px to 30px, depending on the resolution of the photo and the desired effect.
For the photo in this example, I have used a radius of 10px.
Step 3
Right click on the layer and choose blending options from the fly out menu.
Change the blend mode to screen and move the black blend if sliders to 50/200.
Here we have only created a glow to the highlights of the image.
Contrast and Saturation Glow
Step 1
Correct the density and any flaws in the photo.
Step 2
Duplicate the layer and go to filter>blur>gaussian blur. Use a radius of 10px to 30px, depending on the resolution of the photo and the desired effect.
For the photo in this example, I have used a radius of 10px.
Step 3
Right click on the layer and choose blending options from the fly out menu.
For the first photo the blend mode is changed to overlay, for the second the blend mode has been changed to softlight. For both of the images move the black blend if sliders to 25/100.
As you can see, just by changing the blend mode you can effect the look of the photo very quickly and easily. Even though we have blurred the image, we still maintain shadow quality by adjusting the blend if sliders.
What I have shown is just a guide and meant to begin to inspire your creatively.
Stay tuned for part 3 of editing with blending modes, where I will go through more advanced techniques, still using the same basic premise. ![]()














