The photographic world its always changing and improving, it’s a world full of new techniques to learn. New photography skills can elevate your art to unbelieve creative heights. For example, with the help of double-exposure photography, you can merge two completely different subjects, the sky and a human silhouette.
Nonetheless this technique may be difficult to achieve if you don’t know the basics, if you don’t know where to begin, we would like to recommend our article Your first steps as a Photographer, it can guide you thought the initial stages of a great adventure. We hope you find this information helpful.
Double-Exposure is a photographic technique that mainly involves on combining two different images together — creating one single image. This is a really interesting and artistic technique because it allows the photographer to create incredible images, almost ghost like. It also lets you add drama and creativity, or set a certain mood. This technique is also capable of telling a story in a unique way that can’t possibly be achieved with a single photo.
The limits of this technique? None. The possibilities of double exposure photography are truly limitless.
Curious on how you can try this technique?
Nowadays it’s easy, since this effect can be achieved with a DSLR camera, simply by enabling Multiple Exposure in the shooting menu. After that you just need to manually capture both exposures. You can also try this technique on film cameras, you just have to expose the same film twice.
You can also achieve this effect by using a photo editing program like Adobe Photoshop with your own images or stock photos.
Before you start you should first think of a theme, compose your shots, capture your base and layer photo, and finally, edit and merge your images.
Apart from the camera you may also need: a flash, a tripod, a black or white cloth to act as a background and a shutter release cable (especially if you’re doing a self-portrait or simply because it’s makes taking photos easier).
Before you start you should first think of a theme, compose your shots, capture your base and layer photo, and finally, edit and merge your images.
Here’re some tips from Jimmy Chin, a National Geographic photographer, you can also check his whole article by clicking on here:
- Use the flash. A flash can help fill in light, since you may need to underexpose both images a bit to create a properly-exposed double exposure.
- Shoot against a seamless backdrop. A seamless backdrop, or even a plain black or white cloth, will make cleaner background when doing a double exposed portrait.
- Set up the camera on a tripod. If doing a double exposure with movement, a tripod provides balance and consistency.
- Underexpose your subject. It lessens the chance of overexposing the final product.
- Choose a background with a lot of color and texture. Opt for something eye-catching like bright flowers or a vibrant sunset.
It’s important to realize that the editing process may be challenging and some photos just don’t look good together, no matter what you do. It’s okay to try hard, but it’s also important to take a break and if the composition doesn’t work let it go and try something else.
If you have a vision, work on it! Don’t give up!
If you try this technique share your progress with us! We’ll love to see your results.
