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.”

aisles in the sky
"Barrier Of Clouds" by Céline R

Garden photography with double exposure technique applied, creating the beauty that can’t be achieved with common technique.

barrier of clouds
"Between Heaven And Earth" by Isvibilsky

The double exposure technique was applied to overlap the sky and the sea; what a heavenly scene.

between heaven and earth
"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.”

brad jeff fight
"Construction" by VEM / VAS

Great combination that brings out more beauty; two are better than one!

construction
"English x Name" by theCarol

Nice blending of photos and colors, gorgeous shot!

english x name
"Factory In The Sky" by hodachrome

Great angle with perfect combination, hodachrome knows how to do double exposure photography very well.

factory in the sky
"Feelin Dizzy" by hodachrome

Another example of how double exposure can emphasize the feeling of the photo is a pretty calm and chilling one.

feeling dizzy
"Ferndale Cemetery" by shoegazer

Gate of cemetery or gate of hell? Really cool work with redscale technique applied.

ferndale cemetery
"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.”

gather my strength
"Gueishan" by Blowing Puffer Fish

Peaceful feeling can also be achieved by double exposure photography, breezing shot.

gueishan
"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.

hideaway hands
"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!

i love you
"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!

in her course
"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.”

mirrored downtown
"Oh Sheet!" by Thomas Barbèy

Are they skiing on ice or sheet? I don’t know, but this piece is epic.

oh sheet
"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.”

old man texted
"Pandora" by TommyOshima

Absolutely stunning piece with spooky effect. Hauntingly beautiful.

pandora
"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.

pathway // ladders
"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.

piano-peace
"Power Mix" by hodachrome

More power with double exposure! Well-formed piece.

power mix
"Power Station In The Sky" by hodachrome

Perfect combination with perfect colors, I will not be surprised if this piece gets any award.

power station in-the sky
"Rainy Night" by radofankaras

It’s rainy night in the Finlay drive. It’s an elegant night.

rainy night
"Ratz" by extravaganciaincluida

Great attempt and idea on double exposure photography, very inspiring one.

ratz
"Ribbed Sky" by Lomo-Cam

“Because I can’t stop doing textured sky shots! The highway underpass and the lovely cloud ridden sky.”

ribbed sky
"Roller Coaster" by benman31

“This is cool – the double exposure gives it a great vibrancy” – m+b

roller coaster
"Scenic Detour" by Thomas Barbèy

Renaissance of double exposure photography probably starts from this fantastic work.

scenic detour
"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.”

sittin tall
"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.”

standing in the cloud parking lot
"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)

sunbathing
"Sun Stroke" by Thomas Barbèy

Tennis on the sky! Double exposure photography has no limitations!

sunstroke
"And The Living Is Easy" by Elena iPhoneography

Beyond wonderful, simply speechless on this one.

and the living is easy
"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.

the gates of hell
"Tree Map" by Lomo-Cam

What a glamorous shot, probably an underrated piece!

tree map
"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.

turn your head to the right
"Vector" by •DΛN MOUNTFORD•

Photos created in camera + Color edited in Photoshop + Vector overlayed in illustrator = Insanely cool work.

vector
"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!

windows

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.

multiple exposure tutorial
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.”

using multiple exposures in photography
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!

double exposure fun
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.

creating multiple exposure photographs
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.

digital multiple exposure
Doubling For The Sake Of Magic

An extremely in-depth tutorial that greatly discusses suitable cameras and methods for producing effective double exposure photograph.

doubling for the sake of magic
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.”

your multiple exposure paradise

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!

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