How To Create A Double Exposure In Photoshop In 3 Minutes

We have already covered how to create a double exposure in the past both in Photoshop and in other software and in-camera. This time around Aaron Nace from Phlearn takes a (very) quick look at how to create a double exposure image using Photoshop.

This quick tutorial is pretty specific – it will show you how you can very easily create a double exposure image on a white background (if you are looking for other types of double exposure images click the link in the paragraph above).

The first step is to bring the image you want to be on top of your main image into the main image by opening both and using the move tool. Now put the main image on top of the second one (if the main image is locked as background double click on its layer and release it and then drag it above the second layer/image).

Although the image Nace uses was not shot on a white background or extracted into one it was bright enough so that you can use levels to make it work for creating a double exposure.

You should begin by converting the layer with your subject into a smart object (this is always a good approach and will let you work non-destructively and make changes at any time).

Now open the Levels Adjustment box and move the highlights slider to the left. The lighter areas of the image will become lighter do this until they are pure white (or very close to pure white – again you can always come back and change this later on).

Now it is time to use the blending modes – with your main image layer selected change your blending mode to “Screen”. This will make the lighter area visible and the dark ones see through to the next layer. You can play with the placement of the second layer now by moving it around (use CTRL T if needed before moving it) until you reach your desired composition.

You can find many more Photoshop video tutorials on LensVid’s Photoshop section (and you can find a lot more Phlearn videos on our special Phlearn subsection).

Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.