eBook Extract: How to Create Dreamy Double Exposure Portraits
Today on the Whim website we thought we would share an extract from our newly launched eBook with our readers! Titled 'The Ultimate Guide to Whimsical & Dreamy Photography', the publication aims to to fill a gap in the online market and offer an all-in-one resource to passionate photographers who wish to take their photography to a whole new level, find constant inspiration, and have their work showcased to the world in the prettiest of publications...All for just $14.95 - Bargain!
Today you can learn how to create dreamy double exposure portraits either using your digital camera, film, or even your phone! This is just ONE topic from the 104 page eBook, so please be sure to check out the eBook's page here for more information.
What is a double exposure portrait?Double exposure portraits often involve two major elements – the silhouette of your subject and a textured background that then fills in the silhouette with that image. You can see some incredible examples of double exposure portraits below. There are a number of ways in which these photographers could have achieved these results, and each of the methods will be discussed in further detail on the next page.
Some Things to Remember:Before you begin trying out the methods listed below, there are some important things you must remember:
- The first image you should capture is your subject, and it is important to capture their silhouette with the sun, or even the bright sky behind them.
- The second image should capture a bright or well-lit textured backdrop. This can include anything from flowers, stunning landscapes, a cloud-speckled sky, forest foliage, or just about anything else you think may produce a beautiful image!
How to achieve a double exposure portrait if you shoot with film:Photojojo.com recommends that you use 200 – 400 ISO and underexpose by one stop, especially since you will be exposing the film twice with your double exposure. There are two ways in which you can then proceed with capturing your double exposure portraits:
- You can first shoot a roll made up entirely of silhouettes, only to then rewind and reload to capture textured backdrops over these silhouettes.
- Or, you can be a lot more precise by lining up your frames. Do this by marking your film when you load it, and don’t forget to take note of what you’ve photographed on each frame as a reference.
…if you shoot with a digital camera:You can overlap both of your images (the silhouette image and textured backdrop image) in Photoshop, and play around with transparency until you achieve your desired look.
Some DSLR cameras also have an in-built double exposure function, so be sure to check out your camera’s manual if you think you may be in luck!
…and if you shoot using your phone’s camera:The good news is that there are plenty of apps available for both IOS and Android which allow you to create dreamy double exposure portraits straight from your phone’s camera roll.
Popular IOS apps include: Instant Blend (free) and Image Blender (paid).
Popular Android apps include: BlendPic (free) and Little Photo (free).
Want to improve your photography by adding whimsical and dreamy elements to it and be published in the prettiest of publications? You can purchase your own copy of Whim's eBook by clicking on the 'Buy it Now' button below :)
