Chapter 13. Enhancement

Photography: Howard Berman, Client: Josta Cola Digital Artist: Robert Bowen, www.bowenstudio.com

I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.

—Morpheus, from The Matrix

In this chapter we're going to explore a tantalizing variety of enhancement techniques. The truth is that you can't put a measuring stick on the many ways there are to enhance your image. The possibilities in Photoshop are beyond the horizon, and limited only by your willingness to experiment. But I think I can get you off to a good start so that you can feel comfortable tackling most jobs.

In an effort to impose some order on this somewhat random collection of techniques, I've structured this chapter around Photoshop's blending modes. They are what you find at the top of the Layers palette and in many other areas. Blending modes comprise one of the most powerful features in Photoshop—and one of my personal favorites.