Header Banner
WonderHowTo Logo
WonderHowTo
Photography
wonderhowto.mark.png
Gadget Hacks Next Reality Food Hacks Null Byte The Secret Yumiverse Invisiverse Macgyverisms Mind Hacks Mad Science Lock Picking Driverless

Give Your Photos a Surreal Effect by Stacking Negatives

"Give Your Photos a Surreal Effect by Stacking Negatives" cover image

Want to add cool effects to your photos without using expensive equipment? Photographer Laina Briedis created these gorgeous shots by stacking 35mm negatives of starry or cloudy skies on top of photos of people to give them a surreal, dreamlike effect.

There are a few ways to go about it. Laina explained to PetaPixel that you can do this with or without a darkroom. If you have access to one, you can expose two negatives at the same time by stacking them, or expose them separately onto the same piece of paper.

Don't have darkroom expertise? Just stack the strips and scan them with a flatbed negative scanner. Or, if you know your way around Photoshop, "you can even use two individually scanned negatives as separate layers. By erasing parts of one image, you allow the other image to show through more (creating a stacked-negative look)." If you no longer shoot on film, it's still possible to get the same results in Photoshop with two digital pics and a little skill.

You can read more about Laina's process here and see more of her beautiful work on her Flickr stream. If you try it for yourself, be sure to post your results in the Inspiration section!

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are packed with new features, and you can try them before almost everyone else. First, check Gadget Hacks' list of supported iPhone and iPad models, then follow the step-by-step guide to install the iOS/iPadOS 26 beta — no paid developer account required.

Related Articles

Comments

No Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!