Create a double exposure effect in Photoshop

Double exposure effects blend two images to create striking artistic compositions where textures and subjects merge seamlessly. This technique transforms ordinary portraits by layering natural elements like leaves or cityscapes directly onto faces and silhouettes.

The process combines masking, blending modes, and layer adjustments to achieve professional-looking results that would traditionally require specialized camera techniques.

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Practical Tips for Double Exposure Effects

These key techniques will help you create compelling double exposure compositions:

Use Vivid Light blending mode on your portrait layer to create the strongest integration between subject and texture
Unlink masks from layers using the chain icon so you can move texture elements independently for better positioning
Apply layer masks by holding Alt and dragging from one layer to another to quickly transfer selections
Invert your texture layer using Command+I (Ctrl+I on Windows) to dramatically change color relationships and contrast
Add Hue/Saturation adjustment layers with colorize enabled to unify the overall color scheme and mood

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