Watch video: Use blending modes in Photoshop CC
One of the easiest ways to get creative with your photos in Photoshop is by combining images using blending modes. After copying one image – or part of it – onto another, the elements will appear on separate layers in Photoshop. Then all you have to do is experiment with blending modes to combine the two layers in a host of different ways.
In Photoshop CC there are 27 blending modes to choose from, and each works by employing a different algorithm to the pixels in your image. For instance, the Multiply blending mode works by multiplying the RGB values of each pixel on the blend layer (the currently selected layer) with those of the adjacent pixels on the layers below.
We’ve used an array of different images to create our textured portrait effect (these were downloaded from www.pixabay.com, search for images 21799, 2719560 and 671630). Once copied in to our portrait, we change the blend mode to merge the texture with the portrait below. We can go on to fine-tune the look by lowering the layer opacity, resizing and repositioning the layer, or adding a layer mask to control how it plays over the image.
01 Prepare the portrait
Download the blend_modes.jpg start image here, or bring your own picture into Photoshop, then go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter. In the Profile Browser choose the Vintage07 profile, then increase Amount and drag Temperature and Tint to the right. Drop Saturation to -60 and Exposure to -0.45. Press OK.
02 Blend in a cracked texture
Download images 21799, 2719560 and 671630 from www.pixabay.com. Open the 21799 image and use the Move tool to drag it into the portrait. Hit Cmd/Ctrl + T to resize. Go to the Layers panel, click the blend mode dropdown at the top and choose Soft Light.
03 Paint on the layer mask
Lower the layer opacity to about 50% to tone down the effect. Next, click the Add Layer Mask icon in the Layers panel, then grab the Brush tool. Using a large soft brush, paint with black over the face to soften the cracks, so they are less uniform over the face.
04 Blend in more textures
Open image 2719560 from www.pixabay.com, copy it in and change the blend mode to Soft Light (or try other blend modes for different effects). Hit Cmd/Ctrl + T and adjust the sizing and position of the layer to find the best blend of colors for the image.
05 Mask off the text
Open image 671630 of the newspaper then use the Move tool to drag it in to the main image. Position the layer, set the blend mode to Overlay and lower the opacity to 40%. Add a mask and paint black to hide parts of the layer so the text effect is more broken up.
06 Alter the contrast
Click the Create Adjustment Layer icon and use Curves. Drag the bottom of the curve up and the top part downwards to reduce contrast. Click the RGB dropdown and pick Blue, then flatten out the diagonal line by lifting the bottom left and dropping the top right.
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