{"id":612,"date":"2024-10-08T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hotelmadretierra.com\/?p=612"},"modified":"2025-06-05T12:20:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T12:20:35","slug":"overlay-blend-mode-a-comprehensive-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hotelmadretierra.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/08\/overlay-blend-mode-a-comprehensive-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Overlay Blend Mode: A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

The post Overlay Blend Mode: A Comprehensive Guide<\/a> appeared first on Digital Photography School<\/a>. It was authored by Ana Mireles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>\"A<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Looking to understand the ins and outs of Photoshop\u2019s Overlay blend mode? You\u2019ve come to the right place. <\/p>\n

Overlay is a great way to add punch to otherwise flat images, plus it can be used to apply artistic effects such as color tints. It\u2019s a very versatile blend mode<\/a>, and it\u2019s pretty popular, too \u2013 so it pays to understand what it is, how it works, and when you might want to use it in your photo editing.<\/p>\n

Below, we offer a thorough guide to this powerful tool. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n

What is Overlay blend mode?<\/h2>\n

Photoshop \u2013 and other layer-based editing programs \u2013 offer over two dozen blending modes, which determine how different layers interact. The Overlay blend mode belongs to the \u201cContrast\u201d <\/em>section of the blending mode menu, which means that it\u2019ll increase the intensity of the blended layers.<\/p>\n

Overlay is actually a mix of two other common blend modes: Screen and Multiply. When Overlay is applied to a layer, Photoshop uses the Screen blending mode to handle any tone that\u2019s brighter than 50% gray. And Photoshop uses the Multiply blending mode to handle any tone that\u2019s darker than 50% gray.<\/p>\n

So unlike other Contrast blending modes, it takes effect according to the brightness level of the base layer. In other words, it doesn\u2019t apply some distinct operation to the base color of the layer; instead, it Screens or Multiplies.<\/p>\n

That said, if the technical underpinnings of Overlay blend mode are making your head spin, don\u2019t worry. The Overlay effect is easy to understand on a visual level: It makes dark tones darker and bright tones brighter. Look at what happens when I take a normal array of gray tones (below the red line), duplicate the image, and apply the Overlay blend mode (above the red line):<\/p>\n

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<\/span>\"Overlay<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The lightest tones (on the left) got even lighter. And the darkest tones (on the right) got even darker. <\/p>\n

When should you use Overlay blend mode?<\/h2>\n
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<\/span>\"Overlay<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

As I mentioned above, the Overlay blend mode is a mix of two other blending modes \u2013 Screen and Multiply \u2013 so it\u2019s very versatile. You can use it in all sorts of scenarios, though here are a few of the most common:<\/p>\n