Photoshop Fun: Adding texture with blending modes
Written by Jamie Chambers
Layer blending modes change the way a particular layer interacts with, or “blends” with, the layer or layers below it. Changing a layer from the Normal blending mode setting to a different blending mode can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of an image. You can use layer blending modes in InDesign. Now play with them in Photoshop. More than 20 modes are located on the Layers palette in Photoshop.
1. Open a photo and duplicate the background layer.
2. Open a second image of a texture to apply to your photo. This exercise uses a wooden texture, but you can choose any texture you like.
3. Drag the texture background into your original photo file, making sure the texture is the top layer.
4. Go to the Blending Mode button labeled Normal on the Layers palette and hold down and drag the cursor to reveal all the options for blending modes. Select Hard Light.
5. Adjust the Layer Opacity of the texture layer to 50%. You can adjust the opacity to your choice, depending on the amount of texture you would like to add to the original image. This will make the image appear as if it was printed or painted on the wooden wall.
Feel free to experiment with different textures and photos. In these simple steps you can add a whole new dimension to any photo.
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