User Manual

1. What is ImageSwapp?

ImageSwapp is a digital interpretation of a classic analogue phenomenon called film swap: two photographers expose the same roll of film without seeing each other's images. The result is a double exposure — two worlds layered on top of each other.

The system is built for photographers who dare to relinquish control. You don't know what your partner uploads — and that's the whole point.

How it works

1. Create an account or log in
2. Create a Swapp — choose number of images and pairing method
3. Invite a partner by email or invite link
4. Both upload images independently
5. The system blends images in pairs and shows the gallery
6. Download individual images, ZIP or PDF

2. Account and login

Create account — application process

ImageSwapp is for photographers only. New accounts require approval before they are activated.

1. Go to the landing page and click "Create account"
2. Enter a display name, email and password (min. 8 characters)
3. Answer the 3 questions about your photographic background
4. Click "Create account" — your application is sent to the admin
5. You will receive an email when your account has been approved

Delete account

You cannot delete your account directly, but you can send a request to admin via your account settings. Go to your account (click your name in the top right corner) and find the "Delete account" section at the bottom of the page.

Forgot password

1. Click "Forgot password?" on the login page
2. Enter your email — you will receive a reset link (valid 1 hour)
3. Click the link and choose a new password

Edit account

Click your display name in the top right corner to open account settings. Here you can change your display name, email address and password.

Language

Switch language using the button in the top right corner. Your preference is saved in a cookie and remembered on your next visit.

3. Create a Swapp

Number of images

Pairing

Manual — Invite a specific partner by email or invite link.

Automatic — The system matches you with the next photographer in the queue.

4. Invite a partner

By email

1. Fill in "Partner's email" in the Swapp creation form
2. Add a personal message (optional)
3. Check "Send me a copy too"
4. Click "Create Swapp" — invitation sent automatically

Via invite link

1. Copy the invite link from the invite panel
2. Send it to your partner

Resend invitation

Under active Swapps on the dashboard you can see who received your invitation. If they haven't accepted yet, you can resend with one click — or add an email if you didn't fill it in when creating the Swapp.

As partner — join via link

1. Click the invite link
2. Log in or create an account
3. You are automatically added to the Swapp

5. Upload images

One by one

1. Click an empty slot (+)
2. Select an image (JPEG, PNG or WebP, max 10 MB)
3. Upload happens automatically — ✓ appears when saved

Batch upload

1. Click "Select all images at once"
2. Select all images in the file browser
3. The system uploads them sequentially

Automatic image processing

• Portrait images rotated 90° to landscape (random direction)
• All images cropped to 3:2 from centre (24×36mm frame)
• Scaled to 1800×1200 px, saved as JPEG 85%

Moderation

All uploaded images are reviewed by the admin before the gallery is generated. This ensures the content is appropriate.

• You will receive an email when your images have been approved
• If an image is rejected, you will be notified and can upload a new one in that slot
• The gallery is generated automatically once all images from both parties are approved

6. Gallery

The gallery appears when both photographers have uploaded all images. Double exposures are generated in your browser.

Global blend mode

Choose a blend mode using the buttons at the top of the gallery — all images are re-rendered with the selected mode.

Blend mode per image

Under each individual image in the gallery there are three buttons (Screen / Multiply / Overlay). Click one to re-blend only that image — the rest of the gallery is unaffected.

Lightbox — full screen

Click an image to open it full screen. The image fills as much of the screen as possible without obscuring navigation buttons.

• Navigate with ← → arrows
• Switch blend mode with the buttons at the bottom of the lightbox — also updates the gallery
• Close with ✕ or click outside the image

7. Download

Download single image

Click "Download image" below each image to save as JPEG. The filename includes the blend mode — e.g. dobbelteksponering_3_overlay.jpg.

Download all as ZIP

1. Click "Download all as ZIP"
2. All blended images are packed into one file
3. Each filename includes the blend mode — e.g. imageswapp_swapp_57_03_overlay.jpg

Download PDF

Click "Download PDF" — cover page with both names and date, plus one image per page in landscape format. The blend mode is noted in the header of each image page.

• Output: 1800×1200 px (3:2)
• Suitable for printing up to approx. A3

Storage and deletion

Completed Swapps are stored for 30 days and then automatically deleted — including all uploaded images and results.

8. Frequently asked questions

What happens if an image is rejected?

You will receive an email and can upload a new image in that slot. The gallery will not be generated until all slots are filled and approved.

Can my partner see my images while I upload?

No. The system blocks access until both sets are complete.

What if our images have different formats?

Handled automatically — portraits are rotated and all images cropped to 3:2.

Can I see previous Swapps?

Yes — under "Completed Swapps" on the dashboard.

Can I choose different blend modes for different images?

Yes. Under each image in the gallery there are three buttons. Click one to re-blend that image with a different mode — the other images are unaffected.

Can I change blend mode and download again?

Yes. Change the mode and download to save the current version.

What is the maximum file size?

10 MB per image. Supported formats: JPEG, PNG and WebP.

9. Tips for great film swaps

Technical

• Screen mode works best with images that have dark areas
• Avoid very bright, overexposed images
• Try mixing dark images with light ones

Creative

• Agree on a loose theme: "textures and faces", "sky and streets"
• Or agree on nothing and let chance take over
• Try swapping with someone far away