Adobe® Photoshop® CS2 Studio Techniques

Contrast Blending Modes

The majority of blending modes available on the next section of the menu combine the ideas we've used in the Darken and Lighten blending modes. In all of these modes, 50% gray simply disappears, and anything darker than 50% has the potential of darkening the underlying image, while areas brighter than 50% have the potential to brighten the underlying image. In essence, these modes increase the contrast of the underlying image by brightening one area while darkening another.

Overlay Mode

In Overlay mode, the information on the underlying image is used to brighten or darken the active layer. Any areas darker than 50% gray will act like ink (or Multiply mode), while any areas brighter than 50% gray will act like light (or ...