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Summary - Image effects

CSS course · Advanced · Lesson 18/52

Build an image effects gallery with filters and blend modes.

Two tools, one visual language

In this group you met two distinct tools. filter lets you apply visual effects — blur, brightness, grayscale, hue shift, shadow — to a single element.

mix-blend-mode tells an element how to blend with the layer beneath; multiply darkens, screen lightens. Now you will combine these effects into an image gallery.

Exercise A nostalgia filter for the gallery images

Write a filter declaration for the .gallery img selector. It should hold grayscale(0.5) and contrast(1.2) side by side, separated by a space.

Show example solution
/* gallery image filter */
.gallery img {
  filter: grayscale(0.5) contrast(1.2);
}

Exercise Lighten the badge with screen

Write a mix-blend-mode: screen declaration for the .badge selector. The badge should blend by lightening with the layer below.

Show example solution
/* badge blend */
.badge {
  mix-blend-mode: screen;
}

Test yourself

  1. Match each effect to its job

    blur()
    Softens the edges
    grayscale()
    Desaturates
    drop-shadow()
    Traces the shape with shadow
    multiply
    Blends darker
    screen
    Blends brighter
  2. Which gives a shape-following shadow to a transparent icon?

    .icon {
      /* which? */
    }
    • filter: blur(2px)
    • filter: brightness(1.5)
    • filter: drop-shadow(2px 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.4))
    • mix-blend-mode: multiply
    Show answer

    filter: drop-shadow(2px 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.4)) — Correct. drop-shadow() skips the transparent areas and traces the real outline of the icon.

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