Film Double Exposures: Mini How-To Guide for Creative Photography

Let’s chat about double exposures! If you’ve followed me on IG for any amount of time, you know I LOVE LOVE LOVE to play around with film, and my favorite is the blind double exposure method. Here’s the scoop—first, I shot a whole roll of photos, just snapping away at some super vibrant flowers. Then, I wound the film back up and shot over it again, layering new images on top of the old ones. The result? Pure magic! They are by far my favorite rolls of film to get back, and I am over the moon every single time! Here are some examples from ONE ROLL of film to show you the magic of film photography that can happen!

Now, let’s talk film—I’m all about Kodak Ektar 100. It’s my ride-or-die when it comes to capturing bold, vivid colors under that glorious sun. Seriously, the way it handles light and color is hands down the absolute best.

If you’re curious about diving into double exposures, mastering film photography, or just geeking out over colorful photos, hit me up on IG or shoot me a message here. If you are looking for help with this process, I have some fun in-person workshops for you, or here is the link for my 1:1 mentoring! 

NOW, here are some quick tips for shooting blind double exposures:

Choose Your Film and Camera: Grab your favorite 35mm film and a camera that allows you to rewind and reload film manually. You can use any camera, but I use plastic toy cameras like the showit since they enable you to stay in the moment. 

Load and Shoot the First Roll: Load your camera with the film and start shooting! Capture whatever catches your eye—scenes, people, landscapes, you name it. Have fun experimenting with different compositions, but try to keep the lighting consistent on the first go-through.

Rewind the Film: Once you’ve shot the entire roll, it’s time to rewind it. Most cameras have a rewind lever or button. Carefully rewind the film back into its canister, being cautious not to wind the film leader back into the canister. You can listen closely and feel when it stops grabbing. That is your queue to stop. If you are unsure, go into a dark room and feel for it.

Reload the Same Roll: Now comes the fun part! Reload the same roll of film right back in there!

Start Shooting Again: With the film reloaded, start shooting over the previous exposures. This is where the magic happens—each new exposure will overlap with the previous ones, creating unique double exposures.

Experiment and Enjoy: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Double exposures thrive on spontaneity and creativity. Try layering different subjects, playing with light and shadows, or mixing landscapes with portraits. The beauty lies in the unexpected results!

Develop and Enjoy Your Art: Once you’ve finished shooting the roll for the second time, it’s ready for development. When you receive your developed prints or scans, you’ll see the fascinating blends of images you’ve created through double exposures.