Want to get more creative with your photography? Double exposure photography combines two images into one layered picture. You can create the effect in-camera, on film or by blending photographs in Photoshop. This tutorial explains each method, shares ideas to try and draws on our experience photographing double exposures in Covent Garden, London.
What is a double exposure?
A double exposure is an image created by combining two exposures into one frame. On film, the same frame is exposed more than once. Some digital cameras combine photographs using a multiple-exposure shooting mode, while software such as Photoshop can recreate the look by blending two separate image files.
Double exposure photography allows you to juxtapose contrasting scenes, textures, or subjects, resulting in images that can spark curiosity, ignite the imagination, or tell a poignant message.
Credit: Imani Bahati on Unsplash.
Credit: Kamila Maciejewska on Unsplash
Credit: Elijah Hiett on Unsplash
The history of double exposure:
The Victorian Era (1800s):
The earliest forms of double exposure emerged in the mid-19th century, as photographers experimented with exposing a single plate or film multiple times. This was often used for "spirit photography," where ghostly figures were added onto portraits.
Spirit photography by William H Mulmer
Surrealism and Art (Early 1900s):
In the early 20th century, artists like Man Ray and László Moholy-Nagy embraced double exposure as a tool for expressing surrealist ideas. They used it to create dreamlike imagery and challenge the boundaries of traditional photography.
Man Ray. Muriel Levy. 1945
Wanda Walz. Exercise. 1932
Hajo Rose. Self Portrait. 1931
Commercial and Artistic Use (Mid-Late 1900s):
Multiple-exposure and layered-image aesthetics appeared in advertising, music artwork and film promotion.
The Digital Age (2000s-Present):
With the rise of digital photography, creating double exposures became more accessible than ever. In-camera features and editing software made it easier for both professionals and amateurs to experiment with this technique, leading to a resurgence of its popularity. Today, it's a reminder that photography is not just about capturing reality, but also about transforming and reimagining it.
The Martian movie poster
Twin Peaks posters
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Techniques for creating double exposures
Technique 1 - In-camera double exposure (digital cameras)
Many modern digital cameras offer built-in multiple exposure modes. Experiment with different combinations of images to find the perfect blend.
Method:
Find the Setting: Look for a "Multiple Exposure" or "Overlay" mode in your camera's menu. This might be under a creative mode or shooting menu section.
Choose Your Images: Plan two complementary subjects and photograph them in sequence. Some cameras can use an existing photograph as one of the layers, but this varies by model; check your camera’s manual.
Set the Blending Mode: Some cameras offer different blending modes like "Additive," "Average," "Lighten," or "Darken." Experiment to see which one gives you the desired effect. Below is a guide to the effect of the different exposure blend modes you may find on your camera:
Blending-mode descriptions (general guide; names and processing differ between camera models):
Additive – Adds light from successive exposures. Bright areas can build up quickly, so start with darker individual exposures and inspect the result.
Average – Combines multiple exposures while accounting for their combined brightness, helping prevent an overly bright final image. Exact results vary by camera.
Bright / Lighten – Prioritises brighter areas from the exposures. Try this for bright details such as city lights against darker backgrounds.
Dark / Darken – Prioritises darker areas from the exposures. Watch that overlapping dark shapes do not become difficult to recognise.
A guide to the blend modes you may find on your camera.
Adjust Parameters: Some cameras allow you to control the exposure compensation and order of the images (which one is layered on top).
Take the Pictures! Capture both frames in your camera’s multiple-exposure mode and check the preview if available. Some models offer retakes or frame-selection options, while others do not.
Double exposure photography in Covent Garden, London.
Double exposure photography in London to convey a message
Double exposure photography in London
Technique 2 - Post-processing software
Editing software like Photoshop or GIMP allows for precise control over the blending process. You can adjust the opacity of the images, refine them with layer masks, and use blending modes to achieve the desired effect.
Method:
Choose Your Software: Photoshop, GIMP, and other photo editing software offer tools for creating double exposures.
Open Your Images: Open the two images you want to blend as separate layers in your chosen software.
Experiment with Blending Modes: Put one image above the other. Try Screen when you want lighter details to show through dark areas, or Multiply for darker details on a bright background. Overlay and Soft Light can help when combining texture and contrast. Adjust the opacity to suit the photographs.
Screen tends to lighten the result; Multiply darkens it; Overlay increases contrast; Soft Light provides a gentler contrast effect. Use a layer mask to keep important details visible.
Refine with Layer Masks: Use layer masks to selectively hide or reveal parts of each image, allowing for greater control over the blending.
Adjust Opacity: Fine-tune the transparency of each layer to achieve the desired level of visibility for each image.
Additional Tools: Use a soft Brush or a Gradient on a layer mask to blend the images smoothly. Masks are non-destructive and easier to refine than erasing image pixels.
For a full tutorial on blending multiple exposures in Photoshop, click here.
Technique 3 - Film photography
Let’s go old school! Film double exposures are unpredictable in the best way. If your camera supports multiple exposure, you can expose the same frame twice without advancing the film. Once the film is processed, you get to see how the scenes overlap. With other cameras, re-shooting a rewound roll is possible but much less predictable.
Method:
Multiple Exposure Function: If your film camera has a multiple exposure function, you can expose the same frame of film twice. Be sure to take the correct number of exposures on one frame. You can expose more than twice onto one negative, but we recommend you do start by doing just two.
Rewinding Film: Some photographers expose a roll, carefully rewind it and then shoot a second pass. The two sets of frames may not align exactly, and the method depends on the camera. Treat it as an experiment, not a guaranteed result.
Exposure Considerations: For two additive exposures of similarly lit scenes on film, a useful starting point is to reduce each exposure by about one stop (for example, from 1/500 sec to 1/1000 sec, keeping aperture and ISO unchanged). This is not a universal rule: overlapping bright areas, film latitude and the intended effect all matter. Test when possible.
Credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash.
Credit: Weston M on Unsplash
Tips for stunning double exposures
Contrast is Key: Choose images with contrasting elements, such as a silhouette against a busy background, to create visual interest. Consider the light and dark areas of each scene and how they’ll intersect.
Mindful Composition: Plan your shots thoughtfully, considering how the two images will interact and complement each other.
Experiment with different Subjects: Portraits, landscapes, still life, and architecture can all be transformed through double exposure.
Play with Light and Shadow: Utilize light and shadow to add depth and dimension to your double exposures.
Embrace the Unexpected: Don't be afraid to experiment and embrace happy accidents. Some of the most captivating double exposures are born from unexpected combinations.
Keep to a theme: Give the two photographs a common idea, such as two views of the same place, the same person in two positions or a portrait combined with leaves or buildings.
Credit: Branislav Rodma on Unsplash.
Credit: Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Credit: Majestic Lukas on Unsplash
Credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Credit: Ian Keefe on Unsplash
Credit: Teena Lalawat on Unsplash
Three creative double exposure ideas to try
Portrait + Woodland: Combine a person's silhouette with bare trees and branches, allowing the natural textures to fill the outline and create a striking, atmospheric double exposure.
Architecture + Movement: Layer a walking figure with city lights, reflections and urban details to create a busy, energetic double exposure.
Skyline + Texture: Combine a tall building with overlapping architectural details, using repeated shapes and lines to create an abstract, layered composition.
Portrait + Woodland Double Exposure Example - Credit: Nick Page on Unsplash
Architecture + Movement Double Exposure Example - Credit: Kevin Grieve on Unsplash
Skyline + Texture Double Exposure Example - Credit: Aliaksei Lepik on Unsplash
Getting inspiration for double exposure photography
Double exposure photography has long inspired creative imagery in music and film, where overlapping photographs can produce striking, atmospheric and sometimes surreal results. A great example is Van Morrison's 1970 album His Band and the Street Choir, featuring double exposure photography by David Gahr. More recently, the film poster for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) uses a similar layered-image effect to create a dramatic and mysterious composition. Both show how combining images can communicate mood, emotion and storytelling in a single picture.
Van Morrison's His Band and the Street Choir (1970), featuring double exposure photography.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) film poster featuring double-exposure-style imagery.
Conclusion
Double exposure photography invites you to step outside the boundaries of conventional photography. It's a playground for experimentation and a canvas for your imagination. Embrace the challenge, explore different techniques, and discover the magic that lies within layered realities.
Trying this technique out in the busy markets of Covent Garden was certainly a bit of a learning experience, but incredibly fun! The one thing that stood out more than anything, is that this technique is definitely not as easy as you think. Here's three lessons we learned while giving it a go:
Framing your double exposure shots: When your first photo is a framing element, such as a doorway or window, it works really well when you use this composition to overlay a portrait or subject photograph. This double exposure technique is somewhat of a different spin on the "frame within a frame" composition style. You can learn more about using Frame within a Frame in our full tutorial here.
Dark Subjects: On our Fujifilm X-T5 shoot, combining two dark subjects using Additive mode did not produce a very clear overlay. Try lighter textures, a stronger silhouette or another supported blend mode to see how the result changes.
Artistic concept is key: Finally, the most important thing that becomes apparent when experimenting with double exposure photography is the 'idea' of the photo is what makes it a great double exposure photograph. The first image that was taken in the tutorial video above stands out because of the intention behind it: To show the bustling energy of Covent Garden in London.
We hope that this has inspired you to give double-exposure photography a go!
Frequently Asked Questions About Double Exposure Photography
How do you make a double exposure on a digital camera?
If your camera has Multiple Exposure mode, capture two deliberately composed frames and experiment with its blending settings. Menu options vary by camera model.
Can you create a double exposure without a special camera?
Yes. Put two photographs on separate layers in Photoshop or another layer-based editor. Try Screen or Multiply blending, then use opacity and a layer mask to refine the effect.
Which photographs work best for double exposure?
A clear silhouette or strong shape paired with textures, branches, buildings or city lights is often a good starting point. Think about where dark and light areas overlap.
Is double exposure the same as long exposure?
No. A long exposure uses a longer shutter time to record light in one exposure. Double exposure combines two exposures or image files.
How do you avoid overexposure on film?
For two additive exposures, begin by reducing each exposure by about one stop and adjust for the scene, film and creative intention.
Check out these tutorials below
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