I have the Autodesk Pixlr app (remember when we used to call apps software?) loaded on my computer. One of the most interesting editing features on this app is the Double Exposure tool found in the Refine menu. I was messing around one day and started experimenting with this tool, which allows you to lay one photo on top of another and change the transparency with a few settings that are part of the tool.
I’ve made quite a few of these blended photos now, many of which are kinda blah or off-kilter in some way, but some are pretty cool. When using Double Exposure, you have to have an eye for which photos will work together in terms of images and color. Playing around with the tool helps you develop this some, but honestly, it’s easier to try this with a sense of experimentation and a willingness to produce a lot of crappy blended photos.
As you work with the various editing effects in Audodesk Pixlr, it helps to save each iteration of your edited photo with a different name, that way you can always retrieve a previous version if you create an image you don’t like.
Without further ado, here is one of my favorite blended photos:
Wanna see what two photos I started with?
No surprise there, eh? I had no idea how well the following photo would merge with the trestle photo, but the effect was surprising and beautiful.
Do you have a favorite photo editing app or software that provides tools for interesting effects? If so, please share in the comments.
I’m trying to learn Pixelmator, an inexpensive replacement for Photoshop. It has lots of effects I haven’t used and much that isn’t intuitive. My favorite is Kaleidoscope to turn a landscape or log with a single eye and hint of mouth into a face.
That sounds cool, Sharon … the Kaleidoscope effect. Thanks for the suggestion!