Uploaded April 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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In this tutorial I show you how to create the "Droste Effect," of that effect that looks like your photo continues infinitely into a frame. This effect is also known as the "Mise En Abyme" effect and has been used in many applications (including on the Pink Floyd "Ummagumma" album cover). This effect is created when two mirrors face each other and appear to repeat infinitely. You can create this effect easily with GIMP (in fact, it's easier than in Photoshop) thanks to some built-in tools.

0:00 - Intro & Resources
1:18 - Open An Image Into GIMP
1:36 - Measure & Set Frame
2:40 - Enlarge Frame
3:37 - Copy and Paste Framed Image
4:00 - Fit Image Into Frame
5:24 - Remove Obstructions
7:05 - Recursively Transform Layer
9:02 - Final Thoughts

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Download the Photo Used in This Tutorial:
pexels.com/photo/person-holding-white-and-black-frame-4065191

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