Multiple Exposure Project: Process Documentation
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/ecf66e182759981.65371dd86a136.jpg)
1. Taking the portrait photo + setup
![Image may contain: wall, person and indoor](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/a6b2c2182759981.653310608e15b.png)
I took this portrait photo using only the keylight in the setup listed below. I wanted a more dramatic setup, thus utilizing one light.
![Image may contain: wall, indoor and floor](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/533c08182759981.653310608d74f.png)
2. Clipping/Masking out the subject
![Image may contain: person, human face and indoor](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/acf0a5182759981.653310608b598.png)
I used the mask function on Photoshop to isolate the subject from the background, but it was not a perfect mask. Besides the top of the head, the hair was quite difficult to manage.
![Image may contain: person, human face and indoor](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/21e6a0182759981.653310608cd55.png)
I used the gradient tool to create a diagonal black to gray gradient from the left to the right. The imperfections of the mask are clearer, so I attempted to clean up the edges.
![Image may contain: person, lipstick and eyes](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/d0eb4a182759981.653310608ef67.png)
To deal with the hair, I used a multiply blend mode of black and clipped it to the mask. Thus, I colored in the light bits in the hair to make it more realistic.
![Image may contain: screenshot](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/9da3fa182759981.65331060867ad.png)
The result of the blend mode: no longer looks awkward/grainy against background.
![Image may contain: lipstick, person and lip](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/8ea3cb182759981.653310608c1ab.png)
3. First multiple exposure photo
![Image may contain: person, wall and human face](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/d70f68182759981.653310608aa79.png)
Here I added the black and white adjustment layer so the subject matches the background. I also slightly changed the hues so her skin tone is brighter/contrasted.
![Image may contain: screenshot and abstract](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/eb1f4c182759981.6533106085c9c.png)
Settings for black and white adjustment layer: only yellows and greens altered, the rest of the colors were untouched.
![Image may contain: person, wall and cartoon](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/7ff256182759981.6533106087ece.png)
I added a brightness/contrast adjustment layer to create a distinction in the values more. I slightly increased the brightness, and increased the contrast by a larger margin.l
![Image may contain: screenshot and abstract](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/9e19de182759981.653310608531a.png)
**Additional edit: changing the direction of gradient
As an afterthought, I figured that a gradient going from left to right --> light to dark would fit the composition more.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/264d27182759981.653419a6b2135.png)
4. Multiple exposure photo addition
![Image may contain: tree, outdoor and sky](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/db4105182759981.6533106089c5f.jpeg)
Image credit: https://freerangestock.com/photos/5659/tree-branches.html
From the internet, I found this silhouette photo of tree branches that I thought would fit the aesthetic of the portrait. However, I thought it looked busy, so I simply incorporated it into the subject's clothing. I used an invert smart filter to make the branches white and the background black as it gave a cooler effect against the clothing. Then, I made it a multiply blending mode and clipped it to the subject mask so it only be isolated on the subject. Finally, I used a mask to isolate the branch design to only the turtleneck.
1. Clipped photo to subject mask w/ multiply blend mode
2. Inverted clipping layer
3. Masked out photo to turtleneck
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/c7b499182759981.653419a60e86c.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/7a5fe6182759981.653419a60f412.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/45894e182759981.653419a60de0e.png)
Settings of aforementioned changes:
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/b7885a182759981.653419a6b0ea6.png)
4. Second multiple exposure photo
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/cf178a182759981.653419a6b4250.png)
Image credit: https://pixabay.com/vectors/tree-branches-silhouette-trunk-5965316/
I also found this tree png from the internet to add onto my project. I wanted to create a look as if the branches were sprouting from the subject's head, so I went ahead and made this an overlay blend mode over the subject. I also applied a mask and erased parts around the eye and where it intersects the turtleneck.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/86d470182759981.653419a6b38a6.png)
Settings of the changes:
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/e45bb3182759981.653419a6b176a.png)
5. Third multiple exposure photo
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/52abb1182759981.653419a6b2ed9.png)
Image credit: https://www.onlygfx.com/15-tree-branch-silhouettes-png-transparent/
I used another branch silhouette png to add onto the project because I felt it was missing a few elements here and there. I used a darken blend mode, and I did not mask it out since the black blended in with the clothing anyways.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/72f374182759981.653419a6b4bfd.png)
Settings of changes:
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/8719e0182759981.653419a6b02e1.png)
6. Fourth multiple exposure photo
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/cab529182759981.6534363602305.png)
Image credit: https://pikbest.com/png-images/grunge-texture-background-vector_9003622.html
I used a grunge png file to add some texture and gradation to the composition to balance out the weight of the branches from the head. I added it to the lower right corner next to the subject. I masked out half of it by making it fade in opacity, and I used a dissolve blend mode.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/724a45182759981.653436360355d.png)
Settings of changes:
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/53194e182759981.65343635f381b.png)
7. Background decorative photo
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/d39873182759981.6534363602c0c.png)
Image credit: https://clipart-library.com/new_gallery/309-3091253_free-png-tree-branch-silhouette-png-images-transparent.png
This was my last photo which I used to decorate the background. I used an invert smart filter to make the black branches white, and I applied an exclusion blend mode for the background. I experimented with the effects and I settled with the bevel and emboss effect which made it look etched into the background.
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/d94a7f182759981.6534363550d3f.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/a799bb182759981.653436354f706.png)
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200_webp/5547e5182759981.6534363550357.png)
Left to right: invert filter, applied exclusion blend mode, bevel and emboss effect
Settings for changes in bevel and emboss effect:
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/cb7c9b182759981.6534363600c8a.png)
8. Gradient Blend Mode
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/d3ced3182759981.65371dd86d041.png)
Gradient blend as normal clipped to subject: later changed to difference layer. Showcases color of gradient used.
I added a final gradient blend mode as a difference layer because I liked how it highlighted the back as if the lighting was realistic. I think it made the whole piece cohesive and completed it.
Settings of change:
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/cf0091182759981.65371dd86ac61.png)
FINAL PHOTO:
![](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/b126a4182759981.65371dd86c029.jpg)