Mood Board

1. DOUBLE/ MULTI-EXPOSURE: layer or merge two or three images into one portrait.
2. MONTAGE: Select an appropriate set of portraits and create a montage of layered images in Photoshop as an A3 document.

Double or multiple exposures are an illusion created by layering images (or portions of images) over the top of each other. This can be achieved in the camera settings, or on Adobe Photoshop by creating LAYERS and then using BLENDING OPTIONS and OPACITY CONTROL, but also by erasing through parts of layers to reveal parts of other images.

Artist Reference

Man Ray

Man Ray, originally named Emmanuel Radnitzky, was born on August 27, 1890, and passed away on November 18, 1976. He was an influential American artist who spent a large part of his life in Paris. While he played an important role in the Dada and Surrealist movements, his connections to these movements were more casual than formal. Man Ray created significant pieces across various art forms but primarily identified as a painter. He gained fame for his innovative photography and was well-known for his work in fashion and portrait photography. Additionally, he is recognized for his unique photograms, which he referred to as “rayographs” as a nod to his own name.

Multi-Exposure

Multi-exposure in photography is a technique where multiple exposures are combined into a single image, creating a composite that captures different moments, subjects, or perspectives in one frame. This technique can be achieved either in-camera or through post-processing.

In-Camera Multi-Exposure:

Many modern cameras have a multi-exposure mode, where you can take multiple shots and have them automatically merged into one frame. For instance, you might take two exposures, and the camera blends them into a single image.

This can be used to create a layered effect, where the elements of each exposure blend together, often in artistic and creative ways. It’s useful for capturing motion, combining portraits with landscapes, or adding surreal effects.

Post-Processing Multi-Exposure:

In post-processing, you can manually combine several exposures using software like Adobe Photoshop. You might take several photos, each with a different subject or lighting, and layer them into one image, adjusting opacity, blending modes, and masking.

This method allows for much greater control over the final result, such as selectively blending certain parts of each exposure.

Creative Uses:

Motion and time: Capturing a subject in multiple positions over time, such as a person walking, leaves blowing, or a bird flying.

Double Exposure: A specific form of multi-exposure where two different images (e.g., a portrait and a landscape) are merged in a way that they overlap and interact.

Surreal Effects: Combining unrelated elements or scenes to create dream-like or abstract compositions.

Key Tips:

Exposure Control: Each exposure in a multi-exposure sequence should be carefully managed to avoid overexposure or unwanted artefacts.

Composition: Consider how the subjects or elements will interact, as the layering effect can sometimes cause confusion or distraction if not thoughtfully arranged.

Multi-exposure offers creative flexibility, allowing photographers to produce imaginative and unconventional results.

Photo Montage

Montage in photography is a technique that involves combining multiple photos or elements to create a single, unified image. This can be done by digitally blending different photographs or physically assembling pieces of images, often by cutting and pasting. Montage allows photographers to create complex, layered compositions that can convey a range of ideas or emotions, often in an abstract or surreal way.

Historically, montage gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly within the Dadaist and Surrealist movements. Artists like Hannah Höch and Raoul Hausmann used photomontage as a form of political expression or to critique societal norms. The technique also played a significant role in Soviet cinema, where filmmakers like Sergei Eisenstein used montage to build powerful narratives and emotions.

In photography, montage can serve a variety of creative purposes. It allows for storytelling by combining images that represent different moments or ideas. It also gives room for symbolism, where contrasting images are brought together to create a deeper meaning or message. A photographer might use montage to form visual metaphors, such as blending a portrait with nature or cityscapes to explore themes like identity or societal pressure. Juxtaposing seemingly unrelated images can create striking contrasts or harmonious compositions, depending on the artist’s intent.

To achieve a successful montage, a photographer must pay careful attention to the technical aspects of blending images. This includes adjusting lighting, colour, and shadows so that the combined elements appear cohesive. The composition also plays a crucial role in ensuring the image is balanced and that the viewer’s attention is guided through the visual elements in a meaningful way.

Overall, montage is a versatile and creative technique in photography, enabling the photographer to build new realities or present complex ideas in a single frame.

Here are some of my creative images

Photomontage is often used as a means of expressing political dissent.

It was first used as a technique by the Dadaists in 1915 in their protests against the First World War. It was later adopted by the surrealists who exploited the possibilities photomontage offered by using free association to bring together widely disparate images, to reflect the workings of the unconscious mind.

In 1923 the Russian constructivist Aleksander Rodchenko began experimenting with photomontage as a way of creating striking socially engaged imagery concerned with the placement and movement of objects in space.

Coloured Gels

Coloured Gels is a transparent coloured material that is attached on to the red-head lights which can modify the temperature and the feel of the image which is useful if you want to find a type of lighting to suit the subject your taking a picture of or if you want to make your picture look unique or standout more.

It is used for multiple different purposes such as to colour light and for colour correction and it is used in not only just photography but in videography and theatre as well.