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Club Scrap Blog Hop - June 2014 - Picnic

So I guess we should visit with something that I use a lot in Photoshop.  Blend Modes.  Using blend modes gives us many options for creativity.  Blend modes change how two layers interact with one another.  Results depend on many factors which can make using blend modes somewhat unpredictable.

Let's get started.

First open up some papers, overlays and photos.  For this tutorial I am using papers and overlays from Picnic.

In my version of photoshop which is cc the blend mode is located at the top of the layers panel and to get all the different modes just click the down facing arrow!

You will see that the blend modes are grouped into sections.

I do hope that the following example will tempt you all into playing around a bit with blend modes and how they can be an effective tool for digital scrapbooking.

Taking a look at the Darken blend mode - If the pixels of the selected layer are darker than the ones on the layers below, they are kept in the image.

Above you can see that the photo is "overlaid" onto the striped paper.

If the pixels in the layer are lighter, they are replaced with the tones on the layers below.

OK so here is what I am working with.  I do notice that there is a line across the photo which I just don't like and the pavement needs some work to blend in with the background paper.

At this point I am going to play around with the eraser using a soft fuzzy brush and varying opacities and flows to make this blend better.

Here you can see that I have removed that harsh line and blended better with the background.

At this point you can continue and complete the layout.  I have used some of the elements from this fabulous kit from Club Scrap (if you have not yet got yours you need to go to http://www.clubscrapdigital.com/ and buy yours now.

And now for the final addition.  A stamp from the unmounted sheet.  I love the windows on this background paper.

I do hope you all like my small tutorial on blend modes.  Such a fun tool in the repetoire.

Your next stop on the blog hop is:

http://craftycolonel.blogspot.com/