This article provides an in-depth guide to effectively blending layers in digital image editing, with specific instructions on manipulating opacity and selecting different blending options to achieve the desired effects. It further emphasizes the importance of experimenting with various blending modes until the desired image quality is achieved.
Key Insights
- The article gives detailed instructions on blending layers in digital photography editing, starting with adjusting the opacity of the layer to about 25% in order to properly see changes during the blending process.
- The article explores the various blending options available, categorized into normal/dissolve (which requires opacity), darkening, lightening, contrast, inversion, cancellation, and color. The selection of a blending option depends on what effect the editor wants to achieve on the image.
- The article emphasises the need for experimentation in image editing, encouraging editors to play around with different layers and blending modes until they achieve a preferred image outcome.
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In this video, we will continue working with our “Man on Mountain Adjusted” file and begin blending the layers we have already added. The first layer we will begin blending is our “Wall Texture” layer.
The easiest way to begin blending this layer is to go to our blending options, found above the Layers panel. We can click, and as we can see, we have multiple different blending options available to us. As we hover over each of these, we will see a preview on the left. Let us choose “Normal, ” and first let us adjust the opacity so that we can begin to see the changes made.
We will drag the opacity for this layer down to about 25%, so that we can better see what happens when we blend this layer. Next, let us go into our blending options and start observing the differences. Blending options are broken up into a few different categories.
The first category is “Normal” and “Dissolve, ” which rely on opacity. The next category is for darkening the image; blending in this category will typically darken the result. The third category is for lightening.
The next category enhances contrast. After that comes inversion. Then cancellation.
And finally, the last group often deals with color. For this image, I like the look of “Color Burn, ” so we will select it. Let us now increase the opacity slightly, dragging it up to about 45%.
I like the way this looks. To view the image without this blended layer, we can toggle its visibility. I think it adds a good texture to our image.
Next, let us work with the “Sand Texture.” First, let us make it visible. Then, let us reduce the opacity of this layer.
Select the layer, and let us set the opacity to about 30%. Even with simple opacity, we can see this adds a nice wavy texture across the image. Now, let us apply blending.
As you can see, we get many different results when blending with various methods. However, I think “Soft Light” works well for this. I will choose it.
Let us now increase the opacity slightly, bringing it up to 59%. I believe this enhances the wave texture throughout the image. It is always a good practice to toggle visibility and evaluate whether a layer adds to or detracts from the image.
In this case, I think it adds to the image and provides better texture. You can now see that we have two blended layers on top, and we are starting to achieve a more complex image.
Finally, let us blend our last layer, “Paint.” We will make it visible first. Let us set the opacity to about 50%, so we can see how this layer interacts with the “Man on Mountain Adjusted” image.
Looking at it now, we can see that the wave patterns of the paint correspond well with the mountain. Let us transform the paint layer a bit to improve the visual flow with the mountain. While this is not an exact science, we can experiment to find a composition we like.
Click on the layer and press CTRL + T on the keyboard. As we can see, there is more content beyond the canvas that we can work with. Let us drag the layer downward to observe the upper portion.
Now, drag upward to view what lies beneath. Next, I always like to rotate the image to better assess the composition. I will hold Shift on the keyboard.
As I rotate the layer, I prefer the darker colors on the right and the lighter ones on the left. I will drag the image around until I find a position I like. In this case, I will rotate it slightly to the left.
Let us resize it by dragging the corner until the canvas is filled. I will drag it further to ensure the entire canvas is covered. I like the way the blue comes down along the bottom, right beneath the mountain.
Press ENTER to confirm the transformation, or click the check mark. Finally, let us blend this layer. Go to the blending mode options, and we will preview the various effects.
As we can see, each blending mode provides a different result. Currently, I like the “Screen” blending mode best. As we adjust the opacity, we can observe how the image changes.
I think setting the opacity to around 57% looks good. I will toggle the visibility off and on to see the before and after. I like the blues and whites it introduces.
Because this is a non-destructive adjustment, we can continue experimenting with different blending modes to find the best fit. I will try “Lighten.” Let us slightly increase the opacity again.
I will leave it at around 72%. Press CTRL + S to save your work. Let us now observe how the image looked before we made these changes.
While the original was a good image, it now feels a little flat compared to the edited version. Let us click the visibility icons for “Wall Texture, ” “Sand Texture, ” and “Paint.” For this image, three blended layers might be a bit much.
We might reduce it to just two layers. I encourage you to experiment with different layers and blending modes to create an image that you like and that looks visually appealing. In the next video, we will begin removing blemishes.
See you there.