Double Exposure Photography

What Is Double Exposure?

At its core, double exposure is when you combine two different photos into a single image. You might blend a portrait with a landscape, or overlay textures onto a silhouette. The idea is to create a composition that feels dreamy, symbolic, or just straight-up visually interesting.

Originally, this was done with film cameras by exposing the same frame of film twice. Nowadays, you can do it in-camera (some digital cameras have a multiple exposure setting), or in post-processing using Photoshop or mobile apps.

Why Use It?

Because it opens the door to creative storytelling. You’re not just capturing what’s in front of the lens—you’re building an idea, a feeling, a concept. You can:

Combine a person and a place
Overlay memories, emotions, or symbols
Turn a simple shot into something layered and poetic

How to Shoot a Double Exposure (The Basics)

1. Start with a Strong Silhouette or SubjectIf you’re working with a person, side profiles work great. You want a shape that’s clear and has negative space to "fill" with the second image.

2. Choose a Second Image with Texture or MeaningThink trees, clouds, cityscapes, flowers, waves—something that complements or contrasts the first image. The second photo often “fills in” the shadows of the first.

3. Blend Them (In-Camera or in Post)

In-camera: Some DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have a multiple exposure mode. It’ll let you shoot both images back to back and blend them automatically.
In editing: You can do it in Photoshop by stacking two layers and using blending modes (usually “screen” or “lighten”) and layer masks to finesse the effect.

Tips for Better Double Exposures

Shoot high contrast subjects for the first image—it helps define the shape.
Use overexposed backgrounds in the second image to avoid muddy blends.
Think symbolically—what do the two images say together?
Experiment—this technique is half technical, half intuitive. There’s no single “right” way to do it.