Multiple Exposures

Introduction

Multiple Exposure is a technique in which a frame of film is exposed more than once to different images. The resulting photograph shows the various pictures 'superimposed' over each other. The more images taken on the frame, the higher chance of the image becoming overexposed - therefore some form of compensation should be taken such as lowering the exposure value settings a stop or two.

How to Produce Multiple Exposures

There are 2 primary ways to achieve multiple exposure. The first is to take an image, and hold down the rewind release button whilst winding on, this ensures the film does not wind on to the next frame whilst winding on - some cameras accommodate for multiple exposures by featuring a button that 'holds' the film in place whilst operating the wind-on mechanism. The next image that is taken will therefore sit over the top of the previous exposure.

The second method is to shoot an entire roll of film, rewind the film, and reload into the camera to shoot on again. This method is much less predictable as it is difficult to monitor which images will appear layered over each other. This is the method which I use when shooting multiple exposures: