Digital Photography and Imaging: Week 5

18/5/2025 - 21/6/2025 (Week 5 - Week 9)

Alicia Lo Yann Wei (0357917)

Digital Photography and Imaging / Bachelor of Mass Communications in Digital Media Production (Hons)

PROJECT 2: POSTER DESIGN & DIGITAL IMAGING [40%]

1.0 INSTRUCTION

2.0 LECTURE

2.1 W5: Double Exposure & Image Blending Mode

Double exposure is one of those editing techniques that immediately caught our attention. It’s where two or more images are merged into one to create something surreal, emotional, or visually striking. 

1. Tilt-Shift Blur

• Filter > Blur Gallery > Tilt-Shift.

2. Fake Reflections

• We can layer a photo of a rainy window or a surface with bokeh on top of our main subject. It creates a reflection-like texture, which adds depth and mood.

3. Portraits + Textures

• Taking a simple portrait and blending it with something more detailed like leaves, fabric, or clouds gives a nice contrast. 

4. Convert to Black & White

• Removing the color makes the image feel more emotional and intense.

5. Silhouettes Only

• Most double exposure photos use silhouettes as a base to feel more artistic.

6. Pair Random Photos

• Just combined two random textures and it ended up looking meaningful.

7. Make Boring Objects Fascinating

• Take a photo of a boring building and blended it with a photo of stars, it enhances our imagination.

8. Use Shadows

• Take a photo of someone’s shadow on the ground and transformed it into a story.

Blend Modes

3.0 EXERCISES

3.1 W5: PROJECT 2A: DOUBLE EXPOSURE (10%)

For Project 2A: Part 1, we are required to create a double exposure image by following the tutorial, using the image provided in the Google Drive.

PART 1 (DOUBLE EXPOSURE FOLLOW TUTORIAL) -EXERCISE 1

Figure 3.1.1 Exercise 1

PROGRESSION 

PART 2  (MY OWN DOUBLE EXPOSURE) - EXERCISE 2

While scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration, I came across an image of an angel that moved me deeply. It sparked the desire to create something profoundly emotional and surreal. 

My goal is to craft an image that tells the story of a fallen angel, suspended between two worlds. The mood I aim to evoke is melancholic.

Figure 3.1.2 Reference Angel

Then, I gathered more references and materials (clouds, background, city and etc) to better align with the ideas I wanted to express.

Figure 3.1.3 More References

First, I cropped out the angel and placed a dream-like background behind her.

Figure 3.1.4 First Step

Next, I added a cityscape to represent the different world I wanted to convey.

Figure 3.1.5 Added Cityscape

Then, I included clouds for the angel to sit on, with a flower behind her symbolizing her purity. However, I felt the overall image looked a bit empty and didn’t quite capture the melancholic vibe of the fallen angel I initially envisioned, so I made further adjustments. 

Figure 3.1.6 Added more Elements

I flipped the cityscape upwards to create a more surreal and disorienting effect, enlarged the angel’s wings to emphasize her strength despite her fall, and used a clipping mask to subtly embed eyes within the clouds. They add a layer of mystery and depth, suggesting that even in isolation, the angel is never truly unseen.

Additionally, I applied blend modes to adjust the colors and tone, harmonizing the elements and enhancing the overall mood of quiet resilience and melancholic beauty.

Figure 3.1.7 Final Adjustments

FINAL OUTCOME OF PART 2  (MY OWN DOUBLE EXPOSURE) - EXERCISE 2

Figure 3.1.8 Final Outcome of Exercise 2

4.0 FEEDBACK

W5: There's no feedback for exercises.

5.0 REFLECTION

This week’s double exposure project really pushed me out of my comfort zone. At first, I was excited by the surreal and emotional quality that double exposure images can have. There’s something so visually powerful about blending two different images into one that tells a deeper story. But when it came time to actually create one myself, I realized just how much thought and intention goes into getting it right.

For the first part of the exercise, we followed a tutorial, which helped me understand the technical side. But it wasn’t until Part 2, where we had to create our own composition, that things got more personal. While browsing Pinterest for inspiration, I came across an angel image that really struck me emotionally. In the end, I spend some time and managed to reach the idea of my fallen angel.