On January 8, 2011, I presented a two-hour webinar on the various blend modes in Photoshop CS5, hosted by Doug Nelson of RetouchPRO. I will continue to update this page with resources as I find and/or develop them.
During the show, I discussed a little of the math behind some of the different modes, but the focus was on understanding how they can be used in practical, sometimes surprising, techniques. What I really tried to drill home is the methodology I use when approaching imaging challenges and experimentation.
Here is a list of links I found very helpful in putting together my information. I will continue to develop these resources and add my own in the next few days.
Ron Bigelow’s Blend Mode Tutorials
IG Designs Blend Mode Descriptions
PhotoshopEssentials Blend Mode Descriptions
Links that demonstrate creative and practical uses for blend modes:
Calvin Hollywood’s Freaky Details (on Scott Kelby’s Blog)
I’ve started uploading my working files. The main photograph I used in the show is not licensed for distribution in this manner, so I will be posting other photos with some adjustments, soon. In the mean time, here are the blend mode and add/subtract color files I started with.
I am also finishing up a special effects demo that I didn’t get to in the presentation. It will be up soon, and doesn’t really have much use in typical Photoshop work, but I thought it was a lot of fun and it twists the brain a little 
Check back soon for a growing list of recipes that deal with blend modes. And don’t forget to keep experimenting!
8 Responses to “Photoshop Blend Modes”
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[...] Re: RetouchPRO LIVE "Blend Modes" with Scott Valentine. Here's the link to the support materials Scott promised. He'll be adding more in a bit: http://lightningsymphony.com/photoshop-blend-modes/ [...]
any way I can get a rewatch of the seminar I missed the first hour. what I saw was fantastic but was confusing as I missed understanding the first part having not seen it.
Have you checked with Doug at RetouchPRO? He’s the go-to guy for questions like this, and I think he’s going to post the recording to YouTube, soon. In the mean time, do you have something specific you’re after? I’ll continue to add resources and some tutorials to this page, so if I don’t have it already planned, I can be sure to address your questions.
its cool Scott,
I`ll wait on his reply, cheers.
[...] Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. If you want to get a head start on the blend modes, check out my blog page. [...]
[...] (rebroadcast) Here's the link to Scott's blog with the links and files discussed in the show: http://lightningsymphony.com/photoshop-blend-modes/ Here's the link to the live show thread. There's some interesting discussion about the show and [...]
Scott, your blend modes webinar was even better than I expected (and I expect a LOT from a physicist!). Problem is, I want more, more, more. I do photo restorations as a volunteer for Operation Photo Rescue, and I use many of the blend modes already, especially to pull nearly invisible parts of images from the muck. But your techniques have given me much more with which to work – on masking and color casts, especially. I’d love it if you’d offer a Blend Modes, Part Deux, Son of Blend Modes – whatever. Thanks for the great information. I hope you’re feeling better. Cheers! G
Thanks, Glenna – I’m glad it was useful for you
Doug and I both think that would be a good idea, so keep an eye out for it closer to spring. Even though we went over time, I feel like I could have spent another couple of hours. The next show is probably going to cover additional tools, as well as some more advanced uses.
-Scott
[...] Re: RetouchPRO LIVE "Blend Modes" with Scott Valentine. Here's the link to the support materials Scott promised. He'll be adding more in a bit: http://lightningsymphony.com/photoshop-blend-modes/ [...]
any way I can get a rewatch of the seminar I missed the first hour. what I saw was fantastic but was confusing as I missed understanding the first part having not seen it.
Have you checked with Doug at RetouchPRO? He’s the go-to guy for questions like this, and I think he’s going to post the recording to YouTube, soon. In the mean time, do you have something specific you’re after? I’ll continue to add resources and some tutorials to this page, so if I don’t have it already planned, I can be sure to address your questions.
its cool Scott,
I`ll wait on his reply, cheers.
[...] Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. If you want to get a head start on the blend modes, check out my blog page. [...]
[...] (rebroadcast) Here's the link to Scott's blog with the links and files discussed in the show: http://lightningsymphony.com/photoshop-blend-modes/ Here's the link to the live show thread. There's some interesting discussion about the show and [...]
Scott, your blend modes webinar was even better than I expected (and I expect a LOT from a physicist!). Problem is, I want more, more, more. I do photo restorations as a volunteer for Operation Photo Rescue, and I use many of the blend modes already, especially to pull nearly invisible parts of images from the muck. But your techniques have given me much more with which to work – on masking and color casts, especially. I’d love it if you’d offer a Blend Modes, Part Deux, Son of Blend Modes – whatever. Thanks for the great information. I hope you’re feeling better. Cheers! G
Thanks, Glenna – I’m glad it was useful for you
Doug and I both think that would be a good idea, so keep an eye out for it closer to spring. Even though we went over time, I feel like I could have spent another couple of hours. The next show is probably going to cover additional tools, as well as some more advanced uses.
-Scott