How to Use Blend If Sliders in Photoshop

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How to Use Blend If Sliders in Photoshop
In today’s episode, we show you how to use the Blend If sliders in Photoshop.
The Power of Blend If
You’ll be amazed at what you can do when using the Blend If sliders. You can blend based off of information from the Layer you are on, or based off of information from the rest of the image. You can also target highlights or shadows which will definitely come in handy when you are using the Dodge & Burn technique.
RGB Examples
We create a layer with the colors: Black, White, Red, Green and Blue. We then pull up our Blend If dialog. We pay attention to the two sliders. The top slider uses information from the Layer you’re currently on. The bottom slider uses information from the rest of the image. We start with our top slider and as we slide from left to right we are left with only the White color remaining. If we use the top slider and slide from right to left, the colors disappear in the opposite order. Something else that’s awesome about Blend If sliders is that you can choose your default colors.
The bottom slider uses the information from the rest of the image to see what’s going to be visible and invisible. As we drag our slider from left to right, the information is pulled based off of what we have on the underlying layer. When we drag from right to left, the lights in the image disappear first and then the darks.
The last helpful tip with Blend If is the feathering option. Hold Alt or Option which will separate our sliders and allow us to feather our blending. The same effect still applies when moving the slider from one side to another, the difference is it isn’t as choppy as it was before. When using Blend If, we do advise that you use feathering. That’ll help give a more realistic approach.
Enhancing Highlights
We create a New Layer on top of our image and paint white over the area we want to add highlights. We pull up our Blend If dialog box and drag our bottom slider from left to right to start defining where our white highlights will be visible. (Remember to Feather!) We now change the Blend Mode in our dialog box from Normal to Soft Light. This really helps us add definition to our image.
Enhancing Shadows
We use a similar technique when adding shadows to our image. We create a new Layer and paint black over the areas we want shadows. We adjust our sliders to our liking and also bring down our Opacity a bit. We are now able to see how the dark areas of the image are affected in comparison to the Highlighted areas.
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Find the practice image here: adobe.ly/1Qjr3BD

[@StopDownGallery]

Once again you prove why you're the best Photoshop trainer on KZbin. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@karlwilson2108]

I do not know if anyone else explains this any better, I'll never know because I fully understand it from you. You are the best.

[@cgcowboy]

This is EXACTLY what I needed to fully understand Blend If. THANK YOU!

[@msafran]

Thanks.... you have the best tutorials on the web. I really think your delivery and content is unbeatable.

[@freeformdesign4709]

I've been using Blend If for a few years now... but how did I not know about splitting it with Alt?! MIND= BLOWN. Thanks Aaron!

[@kylehess6671]

This is the first and only video that helps me understand Blend If without making it sound so confusing. THANK YOU!!

[@CharlesWallerPhotographer]

This has to be the best explanation on how the "Blend If" sliders work. Now I understand the workings I will be using this a lot more. Keep up the good work.

[@siriusones]

Aaron love the way you used the colors to explain blendIf and feathering so simple awesome tutorial...

[@WicksClicks]

I appreciate the RGB and Black & White layer to show what is really going on. That made it much clearer. Thanks!

[@EddyMorphine]

Aaron, you are the one of best tutorial maker on the net !! Super work like always Thanks for sharing

[@robinlloyd2040]

The Best Photoshop tutorial clip in the history of the Internet!

[@horibo]

Most simple and straight forward blend if tutorial thanks Aaron!

[@evelynperez7652]

Great tutorial on BlendIf from a gifter teacher. Thanks for making your comments so easy to understand!

[@aux_anges]

This is immensely useful. When using Blend If in other tutorials, you tend to say, "I'm telling this layer not to be visible where the underlying layer is darker," which is confusing since the logical interpretation is "where the underlying layer is darker than this layer." Now, if "darker" actually means "dark," it makes perfect sense. Long story short, yet another thank you :).

[@HMaxTube11]

One of your best tuts ever...demystified a highly esoteric and incredibly useful feature. A+++.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Always helpful, Aaron. You are a treasure!

[@MATTP545]

I have seen you use blend if in other tutorials and have been using it myself but this is a just a solid clear and straightforward tutorial that just furthers my understanding of the feature. Thank you

[@dblas619]

What an easy and non-destructive way to enhance highlights and shadows! Thanks for this!

[@bobkoss280]

This is really good. I own several of your tutorials where you use blend if, but I didn't grasp what it really did. Now I understand the power of the tool. Thanks.

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Great tutorial on Blend If. I have a much better understanding of it now. Thanks Aaron.

[@mukkeshbk]

Thanks Aaron. All your videos have changed my perspective towards Photoshop. I love your videos and your style of teaching. This video would certainly help me enhance the pictures I take. Thank you Again

[@lovelyjubblyy2657]

What a fantastic and non-fussy tutorial! Thank you so much.

[@BlackBettyES]

It's funny how whenever I watch your videos I learn more in 15 minutes than I did in few years xD thank you, I really love these tutorials :D

[@MessalaCiulla]

Great tutorial. It couldn't be more concise. Thanks for sharing.

[@gerardoberetta]

¡ Magnífico !...finally understood what they are for...you are a fantastic teacher...even I understand...thank's.

[@jeannierodriguez2542]

You rock Aaron... so appreciating this channel... they made a great choice when they chose you for these videos... great job Phlearn Team I've learned so very much!!.

[@kristenalexandra2701]

Have used these occasionally, but never understood them... will now try this out next time I want to dodge and burn! Thanks Aaron!

[@bgunter2905]

Concise ! I bought a book which did not clearly explain what you did in a few minutes. Very well done, Aaron !

[@isabellopez4909]

Great tutorial. You made a complex subject much easier because you know how to convey the information in a clear way. Thanks so much.

[@mfawzi89]

You made it one of the best episodes ever, the way you explain how blend works was so clear.

[@NOHORAHDUARTEM]

You guys are AMAZING!!!! I have learn a lot with your tutorials!!!!

[@randychann0707]

I love your sharing and your youtube Phlearn! Love you so much! Big thanks!

[@pinodomenico5520]

Very cool - enjoyed immensely. Very good coverage of how to use bottom slider in practice and (in theory) the top slider. Would love to see how top slider is used in practice, and/or both sliders in combination in practice.

[@jeytis72]

Terrific! Since "the Blend If" is one of the most difficult tools of Photoshop for one to master, this is a very helpful tutorial! One of the best tutorials. Thank your very much Aaron.

[@НиколайОсадчий-т1п]

Your tutorials are the best on youtube

[@FabianElPublicista1]

Simple and functional. Thanks a lot for sharing. High five from Bogotá, Colombia.

[@reecepedro3632]

you all probably dont give a damn but does anybody know a method to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot the password. I love any tricks you can offer me.

[@rileyeaston1207]

@Reece Pedro Instablaster =)

[@reecepedro3632]

@Riley Easton thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@SoulProxy9001]

Been using photoshop for years and I didn't know this ... This has been very useful for me! Thanks!

[@ChrisFayte]

Awesome lesson, thank you!

[@RobCastro]

Best tutorial on Blend If. Thanks for sharing, Aaron.

[@TheMazzken]

+Phlearn Photoshop and Photography Tutorials What type of drawing tablet do you strictly use for Photoshop touchups and retouching?

[@Dnarte_]

+TheMazzken you wouldn't really have strict restrictions on tablets for retouching

[@kaybrown5637]

+TheMazzken - He uses a WACOM tablet.

[@ThinkCriticallyNow]

+TheMazzken There is a link to the tablet in the description

[@thomasharris2400]

Kay Brown

[@michaelculleyion2302]

ROK you beat me to the punch. Aaron love all the tips. my ability and creativity are get better. understanding, light, colors and tone. thank

[@JustinStarrPhotography]

That was a remarkable tutorial on Blend If. Will definitely be using this information in retouching of portraits/headshots. Well done! 👏

[@wilbmoore]

As simple as this was Aaron it was an awesome lesson. I've always wanted to understand blend if better.

[@lindashankster9237]

Love your tutorials. Always very informative!!

[@123killersfan]

You're such an amazing teacher Aaron! I cannot thank you enough! :D

[@EvilYevin]

Best ever video, i will use a lot from this. always been tired using dodge and burn, no any more.

[@ashwanibhasin1955]

Great tutorial with excellent example, Aaron...

[@funnymono]

Best tutorial on Blend If

[@yelkao8]

This is a superb tutorial from Aaron. Blend if is not always easy to grasp but the way it is explained here is the best I have seen. Like all Aaron's tutorials well worth watching.

[@glamoirmodelmanagement]

Thanks, Aaron! You are phenomenal.

[@jbachman01]

Very helpful, thorough and informative!

[@godandtheoldsoul]

Thanks for the tutorial, cleared all my confusions!

[@BKLevi]

Great explanation. I understand that so much more. Thank you.

[@tomkolour3947]

Best explanation on you tube, thank you once again

[@GSDesignStudioUK]

I use Photoshop all the time, but learning so much from these vids. thank you!!

[@ozairalam8362]

Great idea to explain, just AWESOME

[@dfire828]

You explained this flawlessly. Thank you!

[@charleswinters6523]

I've watched so many tutorials on blend if, this is the one that finally unscrambled it.

[@hermanhheutink]

Super explained Aaron, I PHlearn a lot off you method

[@Tonicwine999]

The best tutorial I've seen in a while on Phlearn - the other tutorials are fantastic but this one really stood out. Been wanting a more in depth look at blend if for a while :)

[@user-mw5zo4ls8c]

great tutorial I'm very new to photoshop and I am learning with you thanks.

[@MIRZA1515]

I like your teaching style. Thank you.

[@navyvet6593]

I've seen you talking about blending in earlier videos for D&B. Thank you for making this video to clearly define "Blend If"!!

[@paulinaklimek1808]

Thank you Aaron for explaining the blend-ifs! :) I love to watch you, you are so funny!

[@toxiq7399]

thanks so much, this is one of hose things you just don't learn from art school. I've seen it, but never touched it because I didn't know, and now I can play...

[@dusanstevic89]

Excellent real-world application.

[@chesterr9999]

Great Tutorial Aaron. Thanks !!

[@wsrmichael4627]

always great to watch and having fun at the same time as learning.

[@planondeath]

Two tutorials this week - Awesome work Aaron, you're killing it! I love your videos man, so thanks for sharing your wisdom. ☺️

[@baryafe]

I am still watching it but until now it is amazing!!!! It is amazing like all of your videos!

[@MissInformationAcademy]

this seems really useful... so happy to finally understand this!

[@akashiYT]

Just wanted to say that you have helped me soo much through the years and in the beginning I had such a hard time in PS, especially with blend if, but these videos have really made me develop. Big Thanks!

[@bkbineshkumar]

Very Useful Tutorial Aaron

[@upalpatra5822]

no word is sufficient to thank you, a great tutorial. I want more of such tut, Thanks AARON, dear

[@adejones2340]

Totally agree with Rob Castro, fantastic tutorial for a beginner like myself , so glad I subscribed to your channel Aaron. Thank You so much

[@deepakluv16]

I really like the way u teach.. Appreciate it.. Good work

[@drakthamshraiba9608]

Very helpful as usual. ... thank you my friend. ...

[@chipcurry]

Right to the point, easy to understand. Thanks

[@erasim0s]

Thank you for your videos. Much appreciated.

[@aliosha123]

This is another video that ive learned something from you ! thank you!

[@Lucsy3012]

You are using it in so many Tutorials and it's so powerful, I need to use it more often as well. I know it's there but I kept forgetting about it... :D Thanks for bringing it up again!

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

Love the recaps at the end of the videos. Awesome tutorial as always, mate.

[@rokzabukovec4685]

Finally first! wohoo great work. I've been waiting for this.

[@Lucchese1986]

That was great Aaron thanks a lot! Saves a lot of work

[@frankc3834]

you are the best instructor.

[@StillOnTrack]

Awesome video. Great explanation!

[@ВикторД-ъ3е]

Awesome! Waiting for the next video.

[@jeksonps_vi1812]

That's it what i am looking for the great explanation of this kind of tutorian after i have watched your previously using in other video

[@salmi2222]

Very nice and informative. Thank you. Please upload a video regarding the blending of jewellary items.

[@MoreThanASnapShot]

Great video, thanks Aaron.

[@joseparcerisa4859]

My friend just one word EXCELLENT !!!

[@ntstudio28]

it's been so long since I've watched an episode.. this is why I love you guys.. I gotta catch up in my palette!

[@antoninavalcheva7443]

So clear! So good! Thank you, Aaron!

[@daract9269]

Cant thank you guys enough for everything you guys did, without u guys, i dont think ill be where i am right now...Would it be possible to see a quick tuts on how to blend in any kind of texture (playing card, balloon, etc) with human skin?(sounds creepy i know ;)) if its not too much to ask...again thank you and keep up the good work! :)

[@michaeleicken3645]

Thank you so much Aaron, now I understand how this works, very good explanation !!!

[@joseparedes380]

Mr Tony stark, you are the best and this is the best Blend if ever tutorial

[@vishwapankaj]

thanks..you r amazing teacher

[@deniznoir]

GREAT WORK ! I LOVE THE WAY YOU TEACH ALL OF THIS !!!!! :) thank you !

[@paipster]

Outstanding Aaron!

[@photoshareshops4687]

Awesome... always have fun watching, but more importantly, learn (ooops, Phlearn)

[@carolyn9996]

Thanks, Aaron! You are an amazing!