DPI WEEK 5 : PRACTICAL- DOUBLE EXPOSURE EXERCISE

19/5/2025-25/5/2025 / Week5

Tan Tzu Yu / 0374460

Group 2

Digital Photography & Imaging (GCD61204)

Weekly Post : Week 5

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Lectures:

In this tutorial, I learned how to create a striking double exposure effect in Photoshop by combining two images using blending modes, layer masks, and adjustment tools. This effect is widely used in digital art and photography to merge a portrait with another visual element—such as a landscape or texture—creating a surreal, dreamlike composition.ions.


Here are the techniques for Double Exposure in Photoshop:

1. Layer Setup

• Begin by importing the main portrait as your base image.

• Add the second image (e.g. a cityscape, forest, or abstract texture) on top of the portrait layer.

2. Blending with Screen Mode

• Change the blend mode of the overlay image to Screen.
  → This makes the dark parts of the overlay disappear and blends the light parts with the portrait.

3. Using Layer Masks

• Add a layer mask to the overlay.

• Use a soft black brush to gently remove areas of the overlay (especially from the face) so important facial features stay visible and detailed.

4. Refining with Adjustments

• Use Levels or Curves to fine-tune the contrast and brightness of both layers.

• This helps ensure both images merge smoothly and don't look washed out.

5. Adding Color and Mood

• Apply a Gradient Fill adjustment layer (e.g., purple to orange).

• Set the gradient layer to Overlay mode and lower the opacity (~50%) to create a unified color tone and enhance mood.

6. Finishing Touches

• Use the Transform Tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) to resize or reposition the overlay image.

• Optionally use custom brushes around the subject’s edge to create softer transitions or textured silhouettes.

However, as the double exposure effect relies heavily on layer blending, masking, and subtle color adjustments, It’s important to choose images with strong contrast and clear subjects to create a visually effective result.

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Tutorial/Practical:

In this week's tutorial, we began with a demo video on double exposure of the images available in the Google Docs. Then, we moved to do our own double exposure exercise with the help of the technique shown in the demo video.

PART 1 (DOUBLE EXPOSURE FOLLOW TUTORIAL)

Fig 1.0 : Demo exercise for double exercise

PART 2  (MY OWN DOUBLE EXPOSURE)

Fig 1.1 : My own double exposure 

Reflective Writing

In today’s class, I created a double exposure artwork in Photoshop by blending a side-profile portrait with a mountain landscape. I chose this combination to reflect calmness and strength, with the mountain rising where the head would be—almost like thoughts or dreams taking shape. I used Screen mode to blend the two images and applied a layer mask to carefully erase parts of the mountain, keeping the facial features clear and expressive. I also added a soft gradient overlayto give the piece a more unified, dreamlike mood.

Through this process, I learned how powerful simple Photoshop tools can be when used creatively. I became more confident using blending modes, layer masks, and adjustments like Levels and Curves to control contrast and mood. I also realized how important image selection is—strong contrast and clear shapes really help the final effect stand out. This exercise showed me how digital tools can go beyond technique and actually tell a story through visuals.