JPG loses "photo blend" effect

[Rrose]

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased some photo overlays (Shellyrae's Retrograde Photo Blends) that create gorgeous effects when you place the blend over your photo and then play with the blending modes.

The results look fantastic in my tiff and psd files, but when I save the file as a jpg (for uploading to Shutterfly), the Photo Blend effect disappears. The jpg seems to turn off the Photo Blend layer.

I'm sure the issues is on my end -- does anyone know why this might be happening and how I can resolve it? Thanks!

[stefdesign]

Try merging the blended layers before flattening to save as a jpeg.

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

Rose- I will direct Shelley to your question!

[Rrose]

Originally Posted by stefdesign

Try merging the blended layers before flattening to save as a jpeg.

I thought the same thing...but as soon as I merge the layers, the effect is lost. This one is a real puzzle!

PS -- Thanks, Microferk, for forwarding to Shelley!

[lukasmummy]

You could try this, add a new blank layer in between your overlay and your photo and then merge down (select both layers right click and select merge) the overlay onto the blank layer. I vaguely remember one of the versions of photoshop I used used to ruin any styles I had applied unless I did this first. Hugs Crystal xx

[shelleyrae]

Hmm, usually that happens when there are multiple stacked blend layers and likely the photo itself is using a blend mode as well. So that when you merge the blend effects don't operate the same way.
What may work (its hard to tell without seeing) is to merge your layout in stages. Meaning merge everything from your photo and below first. Then merge that and the retrograde blend, then merge the rest of your layout.
You can also try converting the individual blend/photo layers to a smart object and then rasterising the layers before merging everything.
I will PM you my email and if this doenst work for you, you can send me a screenshot and I'll see if I can come up with another way to work around.

[Rrose]

As it turns out, Shelleyrae is spot on because my photo does have a sketch filter applied to it! I guess I've just managed to stumble onto a known flaw with Photoshop (i'm using CS4)...the dreaded multiple stacked blend layers.

I tried all the tricks mentioned by you helpful scrappers, but it's not working in this case. And really, that's okay. The Retrograde Photo Blends work like a charm when the photo isn't isn't given an effect and they're really fantastic.

Thanks, everyone!

[shelleyrae]

Glad you managed to still get a layout you liked

Its actually a flaw in every version of Photoshop. I hope you enjoy the Retrograde Photo Blends

[Rrose]

I am in love with the Photo Blends -- they're so much fun! And thanks for all your help with this. . . and for knowing so much about Photoshop, I truly appreciate that! :-)

[amandathor]

Have you tried dragging your photo onto another canvas and saving with the sketch filter applied, then moving that version onto the main canvas and trying to merge the other layers then? Sometimes I have to do my photo effects in a different document, then add the other effects.

Now, off to check out these Retrograde photo blends...