Trick Photoshop

The Multiply and Darken Blend Mode will blend an image which is almost a silhouette with another image which is brighter, in Photoshop. That is the trick of  these particular Blend Modes. Let me demonstrate it for you.

This is the effect I intend to achieve with two images.

I will be using this free stock image which you will find here

It belongs to newcastlemale

I will also be using this free stock image which you will find here

It was uploaded by me.

Step 1 : Click the Move Tool.  Keep the SHIFT key pressed and drag the crow image onto the image of the castle.

Step 2 : The crow's image is much larger than the castle image and will have to be resized.

Step 3 : Zoom out. Press CTRL+T. A selection forms. Press SHIFT+ALT and drag the top left corner handle down diagonally to resize.

Step 4 : Keeping SHIFT+ALT drag the corner handles diagonally to resize.

Step 5 : Press ENTER. The selection goes away.

Step 6 : Change the Blend Mode to Multiply.

The image does not look quite right.

Step 7 : Change the Blend Mode to Darken.

Now the image looks all right.

I am using another free stock image.

Now the image of the crow is smaller than the other image.

Press CTRL+T. A selection forms. Press SHIFT+ALT and drag a corner handle diagonally upwards to resize. Press ENTER.

I have tried using Multiply as Blend Mode. It does not work. I have therefore changed it to Darken.

The image looks perfect. Multiply also works at times. 

Other photoshop tutorials are here