Slow Scrap | Wednesday May 25 - INSTRUCTIONS

​

We are SCRAPPING today!

BLENDING MODES​

Blending modes alter the way layers interact with each other. They can be used to enhance photos, add texture, or blend photos into backgrounds.

You will find the option to change the blending mode in the Layers Palette, to the left of the Opacity. By default, it is ‘Normal.’ You can change the blending mode for any layer, with the exception of the Background Layer.

Screen Shot 2016-05-25 at 9.02.10 AM by farrahj, on Flickr

blending modes are broken up into sections:

• Independent Modes: Normal, Dissolve
• Darken Modes: Darken, Multiply, Color Burn, Linear Burn, Darker Color
• Lighten Modes: Lighten, Screen, Color Dodge, Linear Dodge, Lighter Color
• Contrast Modes: Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Vivid Light, Linear Light, Pin Light, Hard Mix
• Comparative Modes: Difference, Exclusion
• HSL Modes: Hue, Saturation, Color, Luminosity

If you're super into the math of how each mode determines how the pixels are blended, the algorithms are here: WIKIPEDIA LINK

Although there are many blending modes to choose from, the ones I use the most in scrapbooking are the following:

• Multiply – Multiply blend mode multiplies the numbers for each pixel of the top layer with the corresponding pixel for the bottom layer. The result is a darker picture. I often use this when adding text. The text blends into the background paper, but retains the texture, looking more realistic.
  
• Screen – Screen is the opposite of Multiply! This mode will lighten an image.
• Soft Light – Great for adding contrast to a photo (tone down the layer opacity). Also a great blending mode to use when working with a texture on top of a photo.
• Overlay – Overlay combines Multiply and Screen blend modes. It provides even more contrast than Soft Light. Another great blending mode to try when working with a texture on top of a photo or background paper.

• Color – This mode preserves the luma of the bottom layer, while adopting the hue and chroma of the top layer. This works great for when you want to paint or change the color of something while trying to retain the texture.

The opacity slider is important when using blending modes because sometimes they are too extreme, so play around until you find the right look!


INSTRUCTIONS
1. Start with a neutral background paper.
2. Place a 4x6 (or is it 6x4???) rectangle or journal card in the center of the page. It should be the landscape orientation
3. Add a square photo that is somehow layered on top of the card, it doesn't have to be centered or anything...just touching in some way
4. Add anything else you want to decorate your page, but you MUST use one of the blending modes we've talked about today.
5. Add the date and journaling and don't forget to save!

The instructions are pretty open ended, so please feel free to ask questions about blending modes, and/or discuss your favorite modes.

This is a slow scrap so you have 24 hours to complete your LO. You must have your page posted here by: 1pm EDT- Thursday, May 26 to qualify! Please remember that your layout must comply with our gallery rule of 50% TLP products. I will be PMing the eligible scrappers their participation prize from this thread. I can't wait to see what you all come up with!