Photoshop Layer Blending Modes

Understanding layer blending modes in Photoshop is key to enhancing your designs. These modes allow you to control how layers interact, creating effects that can darken, lighten, or adjust colors, adding depth and creativity to your projects.

1. Normal

   • The default blending mode; no blending occurs.
   • The top layer completely covers the layers beneath it.
   • Useful for adding text or graphics without altering the background.

2. Multiply

   • Darkens the image by multiplying the base color with the blend color.
   • Ideal for creating shadows or darkening images.
   • Results in a richer, deeper color effect.

3. Screen

   • Lightens the image by inverting the colors, multiplying them, and then inverting again.
   • Great for creating highlights or brightening images.
   • Often used in photo editing to enhance brightness.

4. Overlay

   • Combines Multiply and Screen modes; darkens or lightens based on the base color.
   • Enhances contrast and adds depth to images.
   • Useful for adding texture or effects without losing detail.

5. Soft Light

   • Similar to Overlay but with a softer effect; lightens or darkens based on the blend color.
   • Creates a gentle, diffused light effect.
   • Ideal for subtle adjustments and enhancing details.

6. Hard Light

   • Combines Multiply and Screen but with a more pronounced effect.
   • Can create harsh shadows and highlights.
   • Useful for dramatic effects and strong contrasts.

7. Color Dodge

   • Brightens the base color to reflect the blend color, resulting in a glowing effect.
   • Useful for creating highlights and enhancing brightness.
   • Can lead to overexposure if not used carefully.

8. Color Burn

   • Darkens the base color to reflect the blend color, creating a rich, intense effect.
   • Useful for deepening colors and adding drama.
   • Can result in loss of detail in shadows if overused.

9. Difference

   • Subtracts the blend color from the base color, creating a high-contrast effect.
   • Useful for creating unique and abstract effects.
   • Can produce unexpected color combinations.

10. Exclusion

    • Similar to Difference but with a softer effect, reducing contrast.
    • Creates interesting color variations while maintaining some detail.
    • Useful for creative and artistic effects.

11. Hue

    • Affects the hue of the base color while preserving its saturation and brightness.
    • Useful for color adjustments without altering the overall lightness.
    • Ideal for color grading and creative color effects.

12. Saturation

    • Affects the saturation of the base color while preserving its hue and brightness.
    • Useful for enhancing or reducing color intensity.
    • Ideal for correcting color imbalances.

13. Color

    • Affects the hue and saturation of the base color while preserving its brightness.
    • Useful for colorizing black and white images.
    • Ideal for adding color effects without losing detail.

14. Luminosity

    • Affects the brightness of the base color while preserving its hue and saturation.
    • Useful for adjusting brightness without altering color.
    • Ideal for creating subtle lighting effects.

15. Opacity and Fill

    • Opacity controls the transparency of the entire layer.
    • Fill affects the transparency of the layer's pixels but retains effects like layer styles.
    • Useful for blending layers and creating depth in compositions.