How to take a multiple exposure photo using film?

Question

I am wanting to make a multiple exposure photo. Is this process right or what should I do?

Setup camera on tripod and take light meter reading of scene 1 at F22. Reading = 1/4sec

Stop down the exposure to -1.0 so shutter speed is 1/8 second

Take photograph of scene 1

Rewind film and then place lens cap on and put camera in darkroom and forward the film to same number as before.

Setup Camera on tripod and take light metre reading of scene 2 at F13, reading = 1/4 second.

Stop down to -1.0 so reading = 1/8 second.

Photograph scene 2

Im a little confused... I am sure there is an easier way to work this out and get the correct exposure for multiple exposure shots.

thanks

Answer 1

You are confused and definitely making it more complicated then it is.

In your example you have the shutter speed backwards - you want LESS exposure since you're making two exposures on one frame. Changing the f-stop is also wrong. I learned long ago that you only change one variable at a time.

I can't imagine running to the darkroom every time I wanted to do multiple exposures - very inconvenient when I'm 50 miles from home. I suppose you could carry a changing bag but it really isn't needed (unless you're shooting infrared film and it, of course, must be loaded and unloaded in total darkness).

First, it isn't always necessary to use a tripod. I've taken many many multiple exposures hand-held. I do use a tripod for some though, like a flag blowing in the breeze when I want the flagpole in the same spot or when shooting a waterwheel using red, green, yellow and blue filters or clouds using red, blue and green filters.

Now check the Manual for your camera. It might allow multiple exposures. If not, try the "3 finger" method. Keep in mind there is no guarantee of perfect registration with this method.

1) Hold the rewind button in with one finger.

2) Keep pressure on the rewind knob so it can't turn.

3) Advance the film. If you feel any resistance, stop.

As for exposure, simply set the f-stop where you want it. For making a double exposure use -1 EV, for a triple exposure use -1.5 EV and for a quadruple exposure use -2 EV. You have no need of changing shutter speeds with the camera in Aperture Preferred Mode since the camera selects the correct shutter speed. If your camera has Shutter Preferred Mode you set the shutter speed you want and let it choose an f-stop. (I shoot in Aperture Preferred about 90% of the time).

If you want to make 6 exposures on one frame just multiply your ISO by 6. So ISO 200 becomes 1200. Set aperture and shutter speed as indicated by the meter or, if you're in Aperture Preferred or Shutter Preferred let the camera set the other value. Don't forget to set the ISO back to 200 when you're finished.

What you are doing is "fooling" the camera. Cameras are really just dumb boxes with a meter to give what it "thinks" is correct exposure. It doesn't "know" you're making 2, 3, 4 or 6 exposures on one frame. When you are in Aperture Preferred and set f11 and the camera sets a shutter speed of, for example, 1/125 sec. and you set the EV to -1 the camera still "thinks" it is making a correct exposure at f11 & 1/125 sec. but YOU know you're underexposing by a full stop - as though the f-stop was f16. (Don't change anything) Your second exposure at f11 & 1/125 sec. compensates for the intentional underexposure.

I own two 35mm cameras that make multiple exposures possible: Minolta SRT-202 and Minolta XE-7. Since the XE-7 has Aperture Preferred Mode and a switch to disengage the film advance and an EV dial its my camera of choice for multiple exposures.

For more ideas for "special effects" photography, visit AIRC-Adorama Imaging Resource Center and click on SFX Photography.

If you send your regular email addy I'll send you some examples of my multiple exposures.

Answer 2

You are mostly correct. The simpler way it to just set the camera meter to -1.0 stop (underexpose) and just shoot at the meter reading. That's for DOUBLE exposure. Set the camer to -2.0 for quadruple exposure. I forget what it was for triple exposure - I think it was -(1 & 2/3) stops.

As for film winding, many camera (the pro kind) will have a setting for multiple exposure. That will crank the shutter without advancing the film. If you don't have this feature, you can also simulate it by (a) wind the rewind knob snug (b) press the film rewind release button on the bottom - hold (c) crank the shutter.

Step (a) will make sure that the film will not move forward even little bit from step (c).

Step (b) will allow you to crank the shutter but release the film gear so it stays put (for next exposure).

Just be careful that you don't wind the film too tightly on step (a). Otherwise as soon as you press the film rewind release the film will move back into the can by fraction of an inch.
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You may want to sacrifice a roll of cheap film and try this step with the back OPEN. You can get a better feel of what happens when you can see the film staying put (or not). Even afterwards, you can just cut off the exposed (to daylight) section and use the rest as normal. It will probably only cost you about 5 to 10 frames.


Good luck and experiment.

P.S. Learn photoshop - it is easier.

Answer 3

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RE:
How to take a multiple exposure photo using film?
I am wanting to make a multiple exposure photo. Is this process right or what should I do?

Setup camera on tripod and take light meter reading of scene 1 at F22. Reading = 1/4sec

Stop down the exposure to -1.0 so shutter speed is 1/8 second

Take photograph of scene 1

Rewind film and...

Answer 4

You'd generally take two shots on the same frame, either deliberately under-exposed or on separate halves of the frame, with each exposed separately (a technique I used to do a double-exposure of me posing for myself - getting the join right between the two halves was a b*tch).