New PRO! Conceptual Compositing Using Blending Modes in Photoshop

Conceptual Compositing Using Blending Modes in Photoshop

by Aaron Nace
October 30, 2025
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Difficulty

Medium
Length

2 hours
Videos

8
Software

Photoshop

Description

Explore the power of Blending Modes in Photoshop! In this tutorial, you’ll learn to create conceptual images by using these modes to easily add texture and light, make artistic double exposures, and build captivating composites. We even include a PDF guide to help you understand how eight special blending modes use Fill and Opacity in unique ways, letting you create truly impressive visual effects.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

22 Sample Images
7 Sample PSDs
1 PDF Guide

1 | Course Preview

01 - What You’ll Learn

2:58m

2 | Getting Started

01 - Double Exposure

19:21m
02 - Screen Mode

13:41m
03 - Multiply Mode

8:32m

3 | Your Skills In Action

01 - Combining Modes

21:09m
02 - Add Textures

9:58m
03 - Background Projection

15:48m
04 - Final Project

21:52m

Course Downloads

Blending Modes PDF Guide

3.1 KB

Blend. Create. Amaze.

AFTER

BEFORE

Blending Modes Explained

A Blending Mode controls how two layers blend their pixels together. Photoshop uses your chosen mode to check overlapping areas and decide the final look. In this tutorial we’ll teach you everything you need to know so you can add new elements, make vibrant composites, and build creative scenes that stand out.

Opacity & Fill

Layer blending in Photoshop begins with Opacity and Fill. They both affect the transparency of a layer in exactly the same way, the difference being that Fill will not reduce the transparency of any Layer Styles. We’ll guide through different examples to show you how to use Fill and Opacity to create stunning, advanced effects.

Double Exposure

Learn how to combine two images to create a double exposure effect. We’ll show you how to use Screen mode to elegantly merge light from both images, resulting in a captivating artistic portrait that combines your subject with a dramatic scene.

AFTER

BEFORE

Multiply Mode

One of the most used Blending Modes in Photoshop, Multiply has near endless applications. Learn to add detail and contrast to washed out areas of an image or if you’re a product photographer, learn to use it to remove a white background so you can place products in any environment.

Combining Tools

In this tutorial, you’ll learn to combine the precision of Blending Modes with the powerful finishing capabilities of Adobe Camera Raw. Applied as a Smart Filter, ACR unifies the image by adding texture (grain) and adjusting color grading across shadows, midtones, and highlights. This step ensures the blended images are cohesive, making the final artistic portrait look polished and complete.

Layer Masks

Layer Masks are essential for refining blending modes, letting you control where the effect is visible. By using tools like Select Subject and Select and Mask, you can precisely hide the blended layer from your subject while keeping it visible in the background, creating a seamless conceptual composite where elements are positioned exactly where you want them.

Composites Made Easy

The Next Level of Blending

Use Blending Modes to seamlessly merge multiple images, adding texture and light to build professional, complex composites in no time.

AFTER

BEFORE

Combining Modes

Learn how to combine different Blending Modes, such as Screen, Difference, and Lighten, to build rich, multi-layered conceptual composites. Each mode is selected to strategically blend different images and textures, allowing us to control light, create contrast, and introduce funky, colorful effects that unify the final artistic portrait.

Adding Textures

Creating an effective compositing relies on smart image selection, where textures can be added to visually complement the base portrait’s existing color palette. In this tutorial, we’ll teach you not only how to select the best images, but also how to use Blending Modes to seamlessly merge your chosen textures for a cohesive final image.

Remove Distractions

Effective compositing often begins with Object Removal using tools like Generative Fill. We’ll show you how to quickly eliminate unwanted original background elements, such as harsh lines or distracting features. Cleaning the background first ensures a smooth, abstract canvas, making it much easier to seamlessly blend new textures and maintain a cohesive, artistic final image.

AFTER

BEFORE

Your PDF Reference

We know you’ll learn a lot as you work through this tutorial but we also hope that it can act as a reference for you in the future. That’s why we’re including a PDF guide that explains how Blending Modes operate and contains the secrets to using the eight special modes that interact differently with Fill and Opacity.

Hands-On Learning

This tutorial includes an incredible learning package! You’ll have over 20 sample images at your fingertips, giving you a huge variety of subjects to practice on. Plus, with our downloadable PSDs, you won’t just learn how to create these effects; you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at exactly how they’re built, layer by layer. This hands-on resource is designed to help you master every technique, making your own photo editing journey faster and more effective.

Compositing Learning Path

Explore more on conceptual compositing with our Magical Compositing Learning Path. From mastering light and color with stock images to exploring mind-bending creations by guest artists, and even discovering some of our most classic composites, this learning path empowers you to bring your wildest visions to life.

Aaron Nace

PHLEARN Founder – Class Instructor

Aaron Nace is a photographer, Photoshop artist and founder of PHLEARN. He is the #1 Photoshop instructor in the world with millions of YouTube subscribers.

View More Classes by Aaron Nace

Special thanks to Julen Rey Azcona, Elisa Kerschbaumer, Jay Soundo, Nikita Pishchugin, Jordon Conner, Pure Julia, Aperture Vintage, Karan Suthar, Schayan Kasmaei, Solen Feyissa, Ahmet Yuksek, Karolina Grabowska, Lorin Both, Solen Feyissa, Tony Frost, and Victoria Alexander