In the world of photography, creativity knows no bounds. As a wedding photographer in Idaho who values wonder, joy, and adventure, I'm always on the lookout for new ways to infuse my images with these elements. One technique that has consistently amazed both photographers and clients alike is double exposure. This method, which blends two images into one, creates a magical, dreamlike quality that can capture the essence of a wedding day uniquely and artistically.

The History of Double Exposure

Double exposure is not a new concept; it has a rich history that dates back to the days of film photography. One of the pioneers of this technique is Jerry Uelsmann, a master of surrealist photography. In the darkroom, Uelsmann would combine multiple negatives to create composite images that were both haunting and beautiful. His work has inspired countless photographers to push the boundaries of what is possible with a camera.

Reflecting on my journey, learning about Uelsmann in photography classes in high school sparked my experimentation. I was amazed at the emotion his images could create and I loved the playfulness of seeing a scene in different ways. Those early experiences ignited a passion for this technique, and it's something I've carried with me into my professional career.

How to Create Double-Exposure Images In-Camera

Creating double-exposure images in-camera is a rewarding process that adds intentionality to your photography. It’s a technique I always enjoy using because it allows me to create unique images on the day they were captured, adding a special layer of authenticity to my work. Each camera body and maker offers different options for this technique, so it's important to understand your equipment. I will explain the process for Canon cameras as that is the equipment I use.

Canon cameras have a feature called "Multiple Exposure" that makes it relatively straightforward to create double-exposure images. Here’s how to do it:

1. Access the Settings: Go to the menu and find the "Multiple Exposure" option. This is usually located in the shooting settings.

2. Choose Your Mode: Canon offers four different modes for multiple exposure:

   • Average: The camera averages the exposures to create the final image.

   • Additive: The camera adds the exposures together, which can result in a brighter image.

   • Light: Only the lighter parts of each exposure are combined.

   • Dark: Only the darker parts of each exposure are combined.

3. Select Number of Exposures: Choose the number of exposures you want to combine. For double exposure, select two.

4. Capture Your Images: Start with your base image, which should be a strong subject like a portrait. Then, capture your second image, which can be a texture or landscape that complements the first.

5. (Optional) Select an Image: Sometimes you capture an image earlier in the session that will blend perfectly with the moment. You can always use an earlier image as the first image in the exposure.

6. Review and Adjust: After capturing both images, review the result on your camera’s screen. If necessary, make adjustments and try again until you achieve the desired effect.

Examples of Canon Multiple Exposure Modes

Average

The Average setting provides an automatic exposure control whereby each image is automatically underexposed so that the final image is then correctly exposed. Unlike with the Additive setting, all of the images in the multiple exposure will be averaged and taken at the same exposure level setting.

Additive

The Additive exposure control works similarly to shooting multiple exposures with film cameras. Instead of taking each shot with the correct exposure, the total exposure is added up from each individual image. To achieve the correct result, you should underexpose each image so that the resulting image is correctly exposed once they are all combined together.

Light

The Light setting is suitable for photographing uniformly dark scenes with bright objects superimposed on top. A classic example of such a scene would be a moon superimposed on a dark night sky, or a dancer in white against a black background – this can only be done by overlaying the bright objects within the scene.

Dark

The Dark setting is used to eliminate the bright areas of images and so overlay only the dark areas of each image. This setting is useful for shooting a subject moving across the sky during daylight hours, for example, or eliminating reflections and bright patches in an image – like the reflections you may see when photographing a portrait of someone wearing glasses.

How to Create Double-Exposure Images in Photoshop

Creating double-exposure images in Photoshop allows for precise control and endless creative possibilities. It is a great way to get started and can help you recognize double-exposure opportunities when shooting. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Select Your Images: Choose two images that you think will complement each other. Typically, one image should have a clear subject (like a portrait), and the other can be more abstract (like a landscape or texture). Ensure the images have already been edited and toned to match each other as it is much more difficult to do this once the images are blended.

2. Open Images in Photoshop: Load both images into Photoshop and place them in separate layers. Ensure the image you want as the base is the bottom layer.

3. Blend the Images: With the top layer selected, change the blending mode to "Screen" or "Overlay" in the Layers panel. These modes work well for double exposure effects but feel free to experiment with others.

4. Adjust Opacity: Tweak the opacity of the top layer to achieve the desired effect. Lower opacity will make the blend more subtle, while higher opacity will make it more pronounced.

5. Refine the Composition: Use layer masks and the brush tool to paint in or out certain areas of the top image. This allows for more control over which parts of the images blend.

6. Finalize the Image: Adjust the overall brightness, contrast, and colors to ensure the final image is cohesive and visually appealing.

Double-exposure photography is a powerful tool for adding creativity and wonder to your wedding photography. Whether you’re creating them in-camera or blending images in Photoshop, this technique can produce stunning, unique results that will leave a lasting impression on your clients. As a photographer who values connection and adventure, I find that double exposure is a perfect way to capture the joy and magic of a wedding day. So, dive in, experiment, and let your creativity run wild!

By sharing this process, I hope to inspire both fellow photographers and potential clients. If you're looking for a photographer who loves to push creative boundaries and capture the essence of your special day uniquely, let's connect and create something truly magical together.