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This tutorial demonstrates how to create a dramatic effect by blending photographs using Layer Blend Modes.
To work along, you are welcome to download the Start Images Here. Unzip the file and open the images onto Paint Shop Pro’s workspace.
Note
I am demonstrating this tutorial utilising Paint Shop Pro X; however, apart from the Layer Palette’s appearance, all Paint Shop Pro versions work in exactly the same way.
Beginner Tutorials
Utilising Layer Masks
Understanding Layers
Understanding Blend Modes
1/
Open your start images onto Paint Shop Pro’s workspace.
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2/
For now, we are working with the woman Jpeg and the blinds Jpeg; therefore, minimise the two remaining photographs by clicking their upper menu bars. Now, activate the blinds
Jpeg, and press Ctrl then C to copy it to Windows Clipboard. Now, activate the woman Jpeg, and press Ctrl then L. (You can now delete the original blinds Jpeg). Your woman Jpeg now has two layers, as illustrated below.
 
3/
It is time to blend the two images together; therefore, from your Layers Palette, left-click the following tiny black triangle, and from the drop-down list change the Blending Mode from Normal to Soft Light, or perhaps Overlay - or experiment!
 
Notes
If necessary, activate the Mover/Move Tool  .
Then left-click and drag the upper (textured layer) to a more favourable position. Additionally, you can resize either layer using the Pick, Deform or Deformation Tool.
4/
When you are happy with your result, from the left-side Tools Toolbar, activate the Eraser Tool.
 
And enter the following settings into the Tool Options Ribbon or palette.
Paint Shop Pro 7
Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI +
Adjusting the Brush Size as necessary; left-click and gently remove the blinds covering the woman’s hair, eyes and the black background. If you make a mistake, click the Undo arrow, and reapply the Eraser Tool.
After you have removed the extraneous blinds, you are ready for the next step.
Masking Instead Of Using The Eraser Tool (Optional - Intermediate)
If you are familiar with Layer Masks, instead of employing the Eraser Tool to remove the blinds, create a New Mask Layer. Set the Foreground to Black and the Background to White - then activate the Brush Tool, and begin painting your mask. Utilising Layer Masks.
Tip
Fade the blinds by grabbing the following Opacity slider, and moving it to the left.
 
5/
When you are happy with your two-image blend; from the top menu, choose Layers then choose Merge then choose Merge All (Flatten) - and save your work.
6/ Further Blending
To create a more dramatic blend, ensure the woman Jpeg is open and has no extra layers.
7/
Now, paste (as a New Layer), either the flaked Jpeg or the red Jpeg, onto the woman Jpeg - exactly as you did back in Chapter 2.
Then to save PC resources, delete the original textured Jpeg.
 
8/
Now, (working on the flaked layer), experiment with different Blending Modes to see how the top layer blends with the pixels of the Layer beneath it.
 
Remember
You can activate the Mover/Deform Tool, and drag the textured layer to a more favourable position - and resize either layer using the Pick or Deform Tools.
9/
Finish by tidying your image with the Eraser Tool, and adjusting the Layer Opacity if necessary.
10/
For my red texture, I changed the Blending Mode from Normal to Overlay.
 
A very dramatic (and perhaps scarier) Blend Mode for this image is Burn.
Have fun blending your own images; and for added drama, duplicate the textured layer, after the Blending Mode has been changed.
11/
When you are happy with your result, from the top menu, choose Layers then choose Merge then choose Merge (All) Flatten, and save your work.
Wendi E. M. Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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