Double exposure is the effect that occurs as a result of overlaying one image on another. In this article, we will tell you how to make a double exposure in Photoshop.
History
Double exposure (another name is multi-exposure) appeared during the use of film cameras. The effect occurred when the photographer took two frames without rewinding the film. Exposure fell on the same piece of film, and the two photos were mixed. This could happen by accident, or it could - intentionally, if the photographer specifically selected two suitable frames for the composition.
Modern means
Digital cameras do not have a film, and each new frame is automatically saved in a separate file in the device’s memory. Because of this, in theory, a successful (or unsuccessful) marriage of double exposure is impossible even on the most advanced "mirrors." In theory, because in practice the camera may break. But breaking a device on purpose is a bad idea. It is in this case that the double exposure in Photoshop comes to the rescue.
What pictures to use?
The imagination of the artist knows no bounds - you can always come up with something new. But usually for a double exposure in Photoshop they use a portrait (as a basis) and a landscape (as a background), creating surreal and atmospheric pictures.
Well, let's get down to creation.
First of all, open both files for double exposure in Photoshop (CS6, CS5 or CC versions - it doesn’t matter).
Step 1. Selecting the main image
There are two ways to highlight the main image into which the background will fit.
- To whiten the background of the portrait with a brush. Suitable for portrait studio photos in which the background is already light.
- Select the shape in the photo and copy it to a new layer.
For the first method, follow this instruction:
- Open the portrait file.
- Create two copies of the layer.
- Go to the top copy.
- Increase the contrast of the image (use the Contrast or Curves tool).
- Select the Quick Selection tool and select only the background.
- Take a white brush and bleach the background.
- Invert the selection (Selection tab - Invert)
- Erase the part of the portrait image with the eraser to the bottom layer.
- Combine the two copies.
If the figure is simple, you can do without increasing contrast and highlight, and bleach manually. But this is a long and painstaking work.
Instructions for the second method:
- Open the portrait file.
- Select the Pen tool or Lasso tool.
- Gently circle the shape with the tool.
- Go to the "Edit" tab, select "Copy" first, then "Paste" (you can also use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V).
Step 2. Combine with background image
Click the tab with the background image open. If the file is not open, open it.
Double exposure in Photoshop - a creative task. The following instructions describe the basic step-by-step technique, but it is allowed and even recommended to move away from it, try other options, and see what happens.
First way
If you bleached the background:
- Drag the layer from the landscape file to the portrait layers ("Duplicate Layer" function).
- Move the layer under the portrait ( life hack: give names to the layers for convenience. To do this, double-click on the name of the layer).
- Select a blending mode. Lightening is recommended, but you can experiment with others.
Double exposure in Photoshop is ready!
Second way
If you used the image selection method with copying it:
- Click on the landscape tab.
- Copy the photo layer.
- Go to the tab with the portrait (or like another shot taken as a basis).
- Press "Paste" or the key combination Ctrl + V.
- Create a clipping mask - hold down the Alt key.
- Go to the layer with the landscape and change the blending mode to "Lighten", "Overlap" or another, which will seem to you the most appropriate and suitable.
Multiple exposure created!
Editing Tips
Use the Free Transform tool to adjust how much of the landscape photograph will be superimposed on the portrait.
Use the Eraser tool to erase those parts on the portrait layer where you do not want the landscape background to overlap.
Use "Toning", "Curves", "Contrast" and other commands for color grading to find the perfect color combination. Create a new adjustment layer and see how the perception of a photo with different settings changes.
Do not forget about the art of black and white photography - discolor the entire resulting image or part of it and compare it with the color version. Sometimes a black and white photo conveys more emotions.
Blend Modes
As mentioned above, usually to create the effect of double exposure, use the blending mode "Lightening" (in the English-language "Photoshop" this is Screen mode). It works on the same principle as in film cameras - it multiplies the bright pixels of one image by the bright pixels of another, leaving white pixels white, therefore use it for the effect of a traditional film multiple exposure. Add noise, adjust colors and get an almost real film shot.
Dissolve blending mode mixes the colors of the pictures. Use it if you want to get an interesting (and random!) Color effect without manual color correction. For the same purposes, you can use the blending modes "Color", "Tone", "Saturation" and "Separation".
Keep in mind that such modes as Multiplication and all others with a mention of “dimming” in the name result in dark images, while “Linear light” and the like are bright.
Also, the overlay of all modes can be adjusted using transparency.
Taking Pictures for Double Exposure
Multiple exposure photographs can be selected from existing ones, or you can create them in advance. In doing so, follow these recommendations:
- shoot portraits on a light, ideally white, background (take pictures in a studio or at home - hang a place for the picture, for example, with a white sheet);
- prepare good lighting;
- shoot not too homogeneous, but not too diverse landscapes. Well suited forest, tree branches, sky;
- do not take too bright pictures - double exposure will brighten them even more.
Other options
Portraits with double exposure in Photoshop - this is only a small layer of the masterpieces of this technique. Best recommendation - do not listen to anyone else's recommendation. Photographers working with film often do multiple exposures at random - try 5CS also in your Photoshop. Double exposure building + landscape, building + portrait, landscape + urban area, portrait + another portrait - you can always come up with something new. Open the pictures, lay them on top of each other and, if you like something, start processing with all the tools described above. No theory can replace practice. Catch your inspiration and create!