In the world of photography, overlapping two images is referred to as a “double exposure,” however, in today’s Pop Culture world of readily available apps, you may know this as “overlays.” One excellent app you can do overlays in is PIXLR (by Autodesk). Amongst other great photo editing tools, PIXLR provides an easy toolset to get the desired effect.
What I love about PIXLR, is that it is so flexible for all types of accessibility. For example, if you’re reading this, you’re either on a computer or a mobile device. Not all of us are able to download mobile apps, so Pixlr has an amazing PIXLER Free Web App available for non-mobile users.
For me, personally, I have it on my mobile devices, iPhone, iPad and on my iMac as a desktop tool. It’s so versatile, I don’t feel like I need to learn to use one app on my phone, and a different app on my computer. In addition, it is available to both desktop platforms, Windows and Mac, as well as IOS and Android. Wow! Really, there is not an excuse in the world to keep you from giving it a go with today’s overlays technique.
Source: Overlay Gibson Pack Blog Post Personal Credits: bellasfire | kaitlin62 | smadan7
Getting started is easy-peasy, check out this FREE PIXLR Power course (coupon link 100% off). This course will get you quickly familiar with the PIXLR Editor, if tinkering isn’t your thing. In addition to the course link, join up on the Pixlr Power Facebook page for daily tips.
Double Exposure aka Overlay’s are super trendy for all sorts of design and just for fun. Check out these impactful design styles to gather inspiration.
double exposure trends | nature girls
This is just the tip of the ice-berg on PIXLR Overlays. Using the basics in Pixlr to achieve neat overlays and different opacities is just a small step to learning how to mask off area’s and produce an actual Double Exposure within Pixlr. Feeling limited with JUST the Overlays tool pane? Check out these tutorials for more advanced (and still easy) methods for double exposing:
Also check out another way to apply a mask:
Overlays are tremendously fun to fiddle around with. Something you can easily incorporate to your phone-ography or your real camera. PIXLR hosts weekly challenges, which is definitely a fun way to keep you practicing and stretching your personal editing boundaries.
What do you think about using COLOURlovers patterns as an overlay?
I love to peruse the PIXLR Instagram stream for inspiration too – more specifically, check out the #pixlrgibson stream to see the most recent challenge submissions from all over instagram, hey, maybe even submit one yourself!
Pushing the boundaries of overlays in Pixlr using collage + overlay effects by langerismail
Looking Back: Other posts you might like on COLOURlovers:
Get some additional inspiration from feathers here!
Colette Patterns Gives Us Five Favorite Prints
Pretty Paisley Patterns + Paisley Sampler SVGs
Tribal 2012 Swim Fashion Meets COLOURlovers Designs
Technicolor Fashion: Marie Antoinette
Font Used in the Autodesk Banner Graphic, MounTiane Typeface by ADIL BUDIANTO
