How To Create Dreamy Double Exposures on Film

Shoot two rolls for the price of one!

All photos by author

I’m not skilled at digital photo manipulation. Editing is my least favorite part of shooting digital photos. I always thought skillfully edited double exposures looked nice, but they fell into the computer-based side of photography that didn’t interest me.

So when I found out you can create incredibly natural-looking double exposures on film, I excitedly tried it out. The method in this blog has given me consistent results, but part of the fun is experimenting with a proven method and finding what works best for your style.

What Kind of Film Should I Use for Double Exposures?

The short answer: Use whatever you’re already comfortable shooting.

The long answer: Some online guides recommend starting with black and white film. When we shoot in color, we become used to seeing color as a contrast tool. A red subject pops against a blue background, even if both are equally illuminated.

However, to make the most of the double-exposed look, we need to think of contrast in terms of light and dark. Shooting in black and white forces you to consider how light separates your subject from the background. Black and white certainly helps you think in terms of…