Double exposure is an interesting photographic technique that combines two or more exposures into a single image. Here, we'll take this technique to text. Let's get started with this double exposure Photoshop tutorial!
What You Will Learn in This Photoshop Text Effect Tutorial
- How to create text in Photoshop
- How to use masking with text in Photoshop
- How to adjust visual content within a masked text effect
- How to create a double exposure text effect
This tutorial will show you how to use some images, blend modes, and adjustment layers to create an easy double exposure text effect inspired by the double exposure actions available on Envato Elements.
Tutorial Assets
The following assets were used during the production of this tutorial:
- Peace Sans Regular font
- Branches 3 by CherrykaStock
- New York Buildings by Greg Becker
1. How to Create the Text
Step 1
Create a new 1500 x 1000 px document and fill the Background with White.
Create the text in All Caps using the font Peace Sans Regular, and use a fairly big size to show the details better.
The Size here is set to 500 pt, and the Tracking is set to 100. But you can use any other values you like with your text.
Step 2
Place the Branches 3 image on top of the text layer, and resize it as needed.
2. How to Mask the Branches
Step 1
Command-click the text layer's thumbnail to create a selection.
Step 2
Pick the Rectangular Marquee Tool, and click the Intersect with selection icon in the Options bar. Then, click and drag to select the first letter you have, and release.
Step 3
This will deselect all the letters except for the first one.
Step 4
With the branches layer selected, click the Add layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
Step 5
Place a new copy of the branches image, and then repeat the same steps for each of the remaining letters you have. Each letter should have its own branches layer masked to it.
3. How to Position the Branches Inside the Letters
Step 1
Make the original text layer invisible by clicking the eye icon next to it.
Step 2
Click the chain icon between the layer and mask thumbnails to unlink them. This will allow you to move the image inside the mask instead of with it.
Press Command-T to enter Free Transform Mode. Move, rotate, and resize the branch inside its letter until you like how things look.
Hit Return to accept the changes.
Step 3
Repeat that for the rest of the letters you have, and don't forget to relink the thumbnails when you're done. Place all the branches' layers in a group and call it Text.
4. How to Create the Text's Gradient Map and Add the Overlay Texture
Step 1
Click the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel, and choose Gradient Map.
Step 2
Click the Clip to layer icon, and click the gradient fill box to create the gradient used.
To create the Gradient, you’ll need to click below the gradient bar to add Color Stops, and when you click each Color Stop, you can change its Color and Location values. Here are the Color Stop values used from left to right:
Color - Location
-
#282828- 0% -
#5c5353- 25% -
#877a7a- 50% -
#ada3a3- 75% -
#f1eded- 100%
Step 3
Place the New York Buildings image on top of all layers, resize it as needed, and change its layer's Blend Mode to Lighten.
Command-click the text layer's thumbnail to create a selection, and click the Add layer mask icon to mask the buildings image.
This will finish off the double exposure effect, but we'll add some more color adjustment layers to enhance the final outcome.
5. How to Adjusting the Coloring
Step 1
Add another Gradient Map adjustment layer on top of all layers, and create the gradient using the colors #48406e to the left, #76747e in the center, and #fbc690 to the right.
Then, lower the layer's Opacity to around 35%.
Step 2
Add a Levels adjustment layer on top of all layers, and adjust the settings of each channel as shown below:
Congratulations, You're Done!
Now you know how to create a double exposure in Photoshop!
In this double exposure Photoshop tutorial, we created some text and masked an image of branches to each of its letters separately. We also added an overlay texture to create the double exposure effect. Finally, we used some more adjustment layers to adjust the coloring of the final result.
Do you prefer video tutorials? You can also follow this double exposure Photoshop tutorial on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:
Looking for More Double Exposure Effects?
Love the double exposure look? You don't need to learn how to do a double exposure in Photoshop. Work with actions instead!
Check out this selection of double exposure Adobe Photoshop actions that you can download and try out today:
1. Double Exposure Photoshop Action (ATN)
Experiment with a beautiful double exposure effect in only five steps. This download also includes a video tutorial and help guide, to help you jump right in and get started.
2. Double Exposure Actions for Adobe Photoshop (ATN)
Looking for even more content? Check out this set of Photoshop actions—it includes 80 different variations to try out and experiment with. Mix and match them to create beautiful visual effects.
3. Photoshop Double Exposure Action (ATN)
Use this double exposure Photoshop action and its four variations to apply beautiful effects to your favorite photos. What two photos would you mix? Experiment with this Photoshop double exposure action!
4. AI Modern Double Exposure Actions (ATN)
If you're looking for even more options, check out this set of Photoshop actions. It included a lot of advanced details that you can tweak and take advantage of. It even comes with 30 high-resolution textures too.
5. Double Exposure Action (ATN, PSD)
Aren't these beautiful examples of this double exposure action for Adobe Photoshop? Check out the tutorial that comes with it too—you can tune in for free!
Want to Learn More About Text Effects?
If you want to learn even more about using Photoshop to create double exposure photography, try our free course on making a double exposure effect.
Get your hands dirty and create some more text effects of your own! Check out these free tutorials from Envato Tuts+:
How to Create a Realistic Chrome Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
How to Make a 3D Text Effect in Photoshop
How to Create a Quick Holographic Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
How to Create a Glass Text Effect in Photoshop Using Layer Styles
How to Create a Realistic Embroidery Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
How to Create a Colorful Explosion Photoshop Text Effect
Create a Baseball-Inspired Text Effect in Photoshop
How to Create a Styled Mixer Brush Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop
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