
When I first discovered multiple exposure photography, I was living in the bustling, vibrant city of Hong Kong. Its neon-lit streets, endless skyscrapers, and hidden alleys were the perfect canvas for experimentation. But like most love stories, my journey with multiple exposure photography started with a mix of excitement, confusion, and mistakes.
My First Experiments: Chaos in the Beginning
Hong Kong’s frenetic energy and layered landscapes inspired me to explore how I could capture its complexity. Armed with a camera that had an in-camera multiple exposure function, I decided to dive in without much of a plan. My first attempts were a mess—images that were either too cluttered or so washed out that nothing was recognizable. I didn’t fully understand how to balance exposure levels, let alone how to create harmony between layers.
One of my earliest experiments was a photo that combined a city skyline with a close-up of a traditional Chinese lantern. I envisioned the modern and the traditional merging beautifully. Instead, I ended up with a confusing blend where the skyline’s lights overpowered the delicate lantern details. It was a humbling moment, but it also lit a spark—I realized how much creative potential this technique held if I could figure it out.

Learning Through Mistakes
Mistakes became my best teacher. I quickly learned that multiple exposure isn’t just about layering two images; it’s about creating a dialogue between them. Each layer needs to complement the other, whether through contrast, texture, or subject matter. For example, I started experimenting with silhouettes against textured backdrops—a tree’s branches layered with a person’s profile. This approach helped me focus on creating more deliberate compositions.
Another revelation came with understanding light. Overexposed or overly bright elements in one layer would wash out details in the other. By underexposing individual shots, I could retain details and let each layer contribute equally to the final image. This technical mastery didn’t come overnight, but every failed attempt was a step closer.
The Moment I Got Hooked
The turning point came during a walk through Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak. The view of the city below, framed by the lush greenery of the mountain, felt like the perfect metaphor for Hong Kong itself: a collision of nature and urbanity. I decided to capture a double exposure combining the dense forest with the city skyline. When I saw the final image, I was floored. The trees seemed to grow out of the skyscrapers, creating a surreal connection between two seemingly disparate worlds. For the first time, I felt I had tapped into the true creative potential of multiple exposure.
What kept me hooked was the endless possibilities. Unlike traditional photography, where you capture a single moment, multiple exposure felt like storytelling—layering memories, emotions, and concepts into a single frame. It allowed me to visualize ideas that couldn’t exist in reality and turn them into art.
Why Multiple Exposure Photography Still Inspires Me
Even now, years later, multiple exposure photography remains my favorite creative outlet. It’s not just about the final image; it’s about the process—the trial and error, the unpredictability, and the joy of seeing two seemingly unrelated elements come together in harmony. Living in Hong Kong during that phase of my life provided the perfect backdrop, with its contrasting elements of tradition and modernity, chaos and serenity.
Through multiple exposure photography, I’ve learned to see connections in the world around me—to find beauty in contrasts and to embrace imperfection. It’s a technique that constantly challenges me, and one that continues to evolve alongside my vision as an artist.
If you’ve never tried multiple exposure, I encourage you to dive in. Expect a few messy results, but also be ready for moments of pure magic. Because in those moments, you’ll see the world not as it is, but as it could be.
Comments