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What is a double exposure?
Double exposure – is a photography or cinematography technique in which two (and sometimes more) images are superimposed on each other within the same frame. In the classic version, on a film camera, this means that the frame is exposed twice without rewinding the film. In digital photography, this effect can be created both in the camera itself (if there is a corresponding function) and with the help of graphic editors such as Photoshop.
History. From chance to art
In the film era, double exposure often occurred by accident if the photographer forgot to rewind the film. However, very quickly it became a deliberate technique. In the 20th century, some artists and experimental photographers such as Man Ray began to use double exposure as a tool of surrealist art.
With the advent of digital photography, this technique has become more accessible and has lost the element of randomness –, now photographers can consciously create such images by combining frames in post-processing or using built-in camera functions.
How does double exposure work?
Traditionally, the technique works by overlaying two images with different exposure levels. They play an important role contrasts and forms: Light areas of one frame are often replaced by dark areas of another. This allows you to create unique combinations, for example:
- Human silhouette filled with the texture of forest or city lights
- Two portraits intertwining and creating a ghostly effect
- A combination of objects that convey a deeper meaning or emotion
How to make a double exposure?
On film camera:
- Take the first picture, usually with a dark silhouette or contrasting background.
- Do not rewind the film, take the second frame.
- As a result, both images will overlap each other.
On digital camera:
- Some cameras (such as Canon, Nikon, Sony) have a dual exposure mode. In it, you can select the first frame and apply the second directly in the camera.
- If there is no feature, you can take two separate shots and combine them in Photoshop using layers and overlay modes (Blending Modes).
In Photoshop:
- Open both images as layers.
- Select the top layer and set the overlay mode (Screen or Multiply <TAG1> depending on the desired effect).
- Adjust the transparency, add a mask to fine-tune the parts.
Where is double exposure used?
📷 In the photo <TAG1> for creating artistic portraits, surreal pictures, advertising campaigns. ⁇ ️ In cinema <TAG1> for example, series True Detective (2014) actively used this technique in his screen saver. ⁇ ️ In design and advertising <TAG1> posters, album covers, magazines often use double exposure for a spectacular visual message.
If you haven't tried (la) to do a double exposure – try! It's not just a technique, but the real magic of superimposing worlds. ✨
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