Double Exposure Photography: 50+ Examples and Tutorials
Double Exposure, or Multiple Exposure, is a photographic technique that combines 2 different images into a single image. The technique has been practiced for several years, and it became particularly famous recently because graphic editors like Photoshop can help to create an identical effect.
With the double exposure technique, you can create a certain effect like ghost images, mirror images, or simply merge a bright moon into the dark, lonely sky. The reason for using this technique varies, but they are surely created for the same purposes – beauty and uniqueness.
Sounds theoretical? Alright, check out these 50+ photographs and tutorials below to see what double exposure is capable of. Some of them are even more beautiful than their original form, and some of them are even incredible, which might trick you into thinking there are manipulation works! You heard that two are better than one, and now your eyes will witness the teaching.
"Aisles In The Sky" by Lomo-Cam
“Some lovely cloud action and a nice vanishing point perspective on the aisle numbers.”
"Barrier Of Clouds" by Céline R
Garden photography with double exposure technique applied, creating the beauty that can’t be achieved with common technique.
"Between Heaven And Earth" by Isvibilsky
The double exposure technique was applied to overlap the sky and the sea; what a heavenly scene.
"Brad Jeff Fight" by foryoutoknowtice
“We ended up there because we wanted to sit down and eat our chips, and I needed light to make this picture because if I used to flash it would’ve made it much more difficult with the shadows.”
"Construction" by VEM / VAS
Great combination that brings out more beauty; two are better than one!
"English x Name" by theCarol
Nice blending of photos and colors, gorgeous shot!
"Factory In The Sky" by hodachrome
Great angle with perfect combination, hodachrome knows how to do double exposure photography very well.
"Feelin Dizzy" by hodachrome
Another example of how double exposure can emphasize the feeling of the photo is a pretty calm and chilling one.
"Ferndale Cemetery" by shoegazer
Gate of cemetery or gate of hell? Really cool work with redscale technique applied.
"Gather My Strength" by beast love
“I have wanted to do some Francis Bacon-inspired photos. They’re strange, dark, captivating, slightly uncomfortable, and probably done to death. Uploading this makes me a little uncomfortable as I don’t have the most photogenic body or anything like that. The face is adequately smooshed and melted, though.”
"Gueishan" by Blowing Puffer Fish
Peaceful feeling can also be achieved by double exposure photography, breezing shot.
"Hideaway Hands" by •DΛN MOUNTFORD•
Done without Photoshop, Dan Mountford is probably the genius who extended double exposure photography to become a new branch of art.
"I Love You" by Experiment of the nature
Magnificent piece that really showcases the specific effect that double exposure photography can achieve, I love this one!
"In Her Course" by Thomas Barbèy
Thomas Barbèy is the genius who can combine two common photos into an absolutely unique art piece. I just know that the Statue of Liberty is built on the tree!
"Mirrored Downtown" by Lomo-Cam
“Took this shot from the pedestrian bridge and then flipped it. I love how the sky looks like it is reflected in the water.”
"Oh Sheet!" by Thomas Barbèy
Are they skiing on ice or sheet? I don’t know, but this piece is epic.
"Old Man Texted" by Lomo-Cam
“Texas State Cemetery. Some text from a speech by Roosevelt on a tomb and a statue of a saint.”
"Pandora" by TommyOshima
Absolutely stunning piece with spooky effect. Hauntingly beautiful.
"Pathway // Ladders" by •DΛN MOUNTFORD•
Very hard to believe this unique work was not created using Photoshop except the color adjustment, it’s just too cool.
"Piano Peace" by Thomas Barbèy
I call this epic. Really wondering how to achieve this without Photoshop editing, especially the part of the Zebras’ lines matching the piano’s black bars.
"Power Mix" by hodachrome
More power with double exposure! Well-formed piece.
"Power Station In The Sky" by hodachrome
Perfect combination with perfect colors, I will not be surprised if this piece gets any award.
"Rainy Night" by radofankaras
It’s rainy night in the Finlay drive. It’s an elegant night.
"Ratz" by extravaganciaincluida
Great attempt and idea on double exposure photography, very inspiring one.
"Ribbed Sky" by Lomo-Cam
“Because I can’t stop doing textured sky shots! The highway underpass and the lovely cloud ridden sky.”
"Roller Coaster" by benman31
“This is cool – the double exposure gives it a great vibrancy” – m+b
"Scenic Detour" by Thomas Barbèy
Renaissance of double exposure photography probably starts from this fantastic work.
"Sittin’ Tall" by Lomo-Cam
“No flash on the Lincoln exposure. Colorsplash orange on the second exposure. Another double exposure wonderment. It makes the pictures so much more important to me when I think about the accidental magic.”
"Standing In The Cloud Parking Lot" by Lomo-Cam
“I was standing outside Shanghai Dim Sum, waiting for them to open. The recent drizzle made the parking lot extra dark and Ivan’s feet were just right. The sky was clearing up and I saw the chance for a soft double.”
"Sunbathing" by Thomas Barbèy
A peaceful walk under the water? Where will the couple be heading? Again a beautiful, thoughtful double exposure photography done by Thomas Barbèy. (Image Source: Thomas Barbèy)
"Sun Stroke" by Thomas Barbèy
Tennis on the sky! Double exposure photography has no limitations!
"And The Living Is Easy" by Elena iPhoneography
Beyond wonderful, simply speechless on this one.
"The Gates Of Hell" by captainbonobo
What will the city look like if we are in doomsday? Double-exposure photography can help you imagine it.
"Tree Map" by Lomo-Cam
What a glamorous shot, probably an underrated piece!
"Turn Your Head To The Right" by •DΛN MOUNTFORD•
Several elements were mixed into the photo, yet it feels so natural. Truly professional piece, no doubt.
"Vector" by •DΛN MOUNTFORD•
Photos created in camera + Color edited in Photoshop + Vector overlayed in illustrator = Insanely cool work.
"Windows" by benman31
The great part of double exposure photography is it’s mostly about random, see how beautiful a work can achieve even with random composition. So, relax yourself and just have fun with randomness!
Double-Exposure Photo Tutorial
Multiple Exposure Tutorial
Very detailed tutorial which splits into 3 major parts – stacking nighttime images, stacking daytime images, and enhancing nighttime photos. A must-read for any photographer who’s willing to learn multiple exposure techniques.
Using Multiple Exposures In Photography
“The following is a brief tutorial on how you can take and edit multiple distinct digital photographs taken from a single vantage point for creative photo-manipulated effects. This includes separate scanned film images, or separate images from a digital camera.”
Double Exposure Fun
Learned double exposure technique? You can have more fun by follow this tutorial to create fascinating double-exposure photos with many film strips in it!
Creating Multiple Exposure Photographs In 3 Simple Steps
The tutorial purely discusses how to use a camera to capture multiple exposure photos, with useful skill tips along with the explanation.
Digital Multiple Exposure
This tutorial is intended for digital camera which lacks the capability to create multiple exposure images. The effect can actually be achieved easily with Photoshop and its Screen Blending mode, and the author will show you how.
Doubling For The Sake Of Magic
An extremely in-depth tutorial that greatly discusses suitable cameras and methods for producing effective double exposure photograph.
Shadows, shades, & darkness: Your Multiple Exposure Paradise
“In this entry, I want to talk more about how double exposures work and what you can look for. It is a meditation on darkness, shadow, & black holes.”
Reflection
Having viewed more than thousand of double exposure photographs, I think the key to make a good double exposure photograph is pretty simple – be wild, try everything you think is fun! I believe there’s really no something like mistake when it comes to double exposure photography, so have fun with it!
Now it’s your turn! Let us know in comment if you have any double exposure photograph or tip to share, we love your sharing and it’s always welcomed!