Photoshop Blend Modes Explained

Blend modes control how a layer interacts with layers below it. Understanding a handful opens up powerful editing techniques.

Multiply

Most useful darkening mode. White disappears. Black stays. Everything else gets darker. Use to darken images, add shadows, or apply textures on white backgrounds.

Screen

Inverse of Multiply. Black disappears. White stays. Use for light effects and lens flares on black backgrounds.

Overlay

Combines Multiply and Screen. Areas darker than 50 percent gray get multiplied, lighter areas get screened. 50 percent gray becomes invisible. Ideal for contrast and texture.

Soft Light

Gentler version of Overlay. More natural for retouching. Duplicate your image layer and set to Soft Light for a quick contrast boost.

Color

Applies hue and saturation of the top layer, keeps luminosity below. Useful for colorizing black-and-white images.

Luminosity

Applies brightness of the top layer, keeps color below. Use when adjusting contrast without shifting colors.

Practical Application

New layer filled with 50 percent gray set to Overlay: paint white to dodge, black to burn. Standard non-destructive dodge-and-burn technique.