Work Diary - Multiple Exposure

Evaluation

As my camera does not have the Multiple Exposure setting, and I didn't have access to any cameras that did, I had to take the two images I wanted to merge, separately and then edit them together on photoshop later. Therefore, I shot these images with the normal settings of F22, ISO 200 and a shutter speed of 1/125. To do this, I shot in location first, shooting photos of leaves, trees, buildings, the sky(clouds), windows, and then afterwards, I shot in the studio taking portraits of models. On location I also took photos of models, however I soon realised that it would be very difficult to edit with such a busy background, so luckily I shot in the studio afterwards. In the studio, I made sure I shot different angles of my models, such as them facing towards the camera, to the side, looking upwards as well as smiling and not smiling. This allowed me to create lots of different images. To edit, I layered the images on top, making sure the scenery picture was on top of the models picture. I then used 'Screen' or 'Lighten' to incorporate the two images together, and finally using curves to adjust the brightness and colour of the image.

This was my second attempt at teaching myself how to edit a Multiple Exposure image. I am quite proud of the result, as it is clearly identifiable that it is a picture of a girl, with clouds on top. I adjusted the colour using curves, and I like that the blue parts of sky looks like ink splurges, and the clouds look like dusty patches, creating different looks for the model underneath. I also like that the models face is clear, so we can see her as well as the clouds in the second photograph. The only criticism I have for this image is the positioning, as there is quite a big blue patch across the models face.

This is one of the last images I edited, and I decided to incorporate a photo from one of my personal project shoots, which is of the Brighton Eye. I used a picture of the same model, looking to the side. I then again, layered the images and made sure I could see both the models face in particular, and the Brighton eye as well. I like this image because it is very obvious what the photos are of, and I also like that the carriages of the Brighton eye fall along one side of the model, which is also following her hair. I tried to make the centre of the eye fit with the centre of the image of the model, however that would mean it would cover the models face too much, and we wouldn't be able to see much more of the carriages and structure of the Brighton Eye. 

Progression

I would like to demonstrate this technique within my own personal project, which would incorporate my two focuses of 'Identity' which are places/buildings and people. As I could use a photo from one of the shoots that I take in a place - like the Brighton Eye one above, and then put that with a portrait of a model or a self portrait. I would also like to use this technique with other images, like using photos based on texture or layering photos of people upon a person's face, or layering two faces on top of each other. 

Technique Page - Multiple Exposure

How to do Multiple Exposure:

• As I did not have the use of a camera which had the Multiple Exposure setting, I had to edit the images on photoshop afterwards. Therefore, I took photos of scenery on location, such as trees, bushes, buildings, and then I took photos of models in the studio with a white background (the white background makes the editing in photoshop easier). 
• On photoshop, I opened up my two images, one of a model and one of tree leaves for example. I then used 'white point' in either levels or curves on the photo of the model, taken in the studio, this made the background more white and brighter. 
• I then pulled the image of the tree over the top of the first image, creating another layer, and positioned it to where i wanted it. On this layer, I then selected the bar which usually says 'Normal' and changed it to either 'Screen' or 'Lighten' (but it is possible to use other tools for this, depending on what sort of image you are planning to create, e.g. dark or light).
• After this is done, use curves to darken or lighten the image to the right colouring, so that both images are more distinct and easier to see, which will create the Multiple Exposure effect. 

How to edit a Multiple Exposure Image: 

This screenshot is showing the first step - which is opening the photo of a model that you want to use.

Here, I have brightened the background of this image so that it is completely white.

 This screenshot is showing the image that I will also be using for the Multiple Exposure edit.

The images above are showing that I have layered the two images - with the location photo on top. 

In these two images I have shown how you can either choose 'Screen' or 'Lighten' depending on how you want the Multiple Exposure to look. 

 For this edit, I decided to use Lighten.

I then moved the top Location image to the position that I wanted, so that the Multiple Exposure edit looked the way i wanted. 

This was the finished result. 

Straight Images - Multiple Exposure

Contact Sheets - Multiple Exposure

Image Bank - Multiple Exposure

There are two ways to create a Multiple Exposure image, either by camera technique or editing skill. The idea is to merge two or more images together - such as a person's face and plants or buildings etc. which the examples above show. However, with the use of creativity, some photographers are able to bend the rules and create something different. For example, the third image uses a models arm/hands as the base image, and then within that they have either shot or edited a person's face within the shape of the arms/hands. They have also merges a picture of tree leaves at the bottom of the arms, to create the illusion of them blending into the picture. The last image also uses a photo of hands as the base images, but this is an example of a double exposure photograph, as only two photos have been used. The photographer has merged a picture of a man's face within the hands. I particularly like this image because the configuration of the hands set up the shape and size of a head.