Special Effects Photography


Left Image: Minolta Maxxum 9000, 100mm f-2.8 macro lens, Kodachrome 64, Bogen tripod and pan/tilt head. Parchment paper used in front of bottle and glass with a single light at about 45 degree angle. Spot meter, f-5.6, shutter speed not recorded. Manual exposure mode and manual focus.

Multiple exposures:

This is done by combining two or more images to produce another. There are several ways that you can create multiple exposures. Most cameras today offer multiple exposure capabilities. If you are using a manual focus camera without multiple exposure button, you can press in the rewind button while turning the lever to cock the shutter. You might have to hold the rewind knob while turning the lever. Another way is during time exposure in dim light. Set the shutter on B, press and lock the shutter using a cable release, and place your lens cap over the lens between exposures. A third method is by shooting a whole roll of film and then rewinding and reloading the film. You must take caution to reload the film exactly the same way to prevent images from overlapping. You must reduce each exposure to prevent overexposure. Use the following chart for number of stops needed for each exposure:
Number of exposures: 2 , 3, 4, 6, 8
Decrease F-stops by : 1 , 1-1/3, 2, 2-1/2, 3

You can also change ISO setting for each exposure. For example, when using ISO 100, you would set your ISO dial on 200 for taking 2 exposures, ISO 400 for taking 4 exposure, and so on.
For some unusual multiple exposures, use your motor drive to shoot moving subjects. You can also create mirrored images by first taking a normal shot of a subject and then turning the camera upside down to take the second exposure. You can also purchase filters for producing multiple exposures. These are attachments that are half black and half clear. You take the first exposure blocking half the frame and turning the filter to block the other half for the second exposure. Keep in mind that a tripod is needed for taking multiple exposures.

The Harris Shutter: This device uses three color filters in rapid succession in front of your lens to make an image. The Harris shutter makes three exposures of a scene through a different color filter. The Harris Shutter can lend tricolor to most any moving subject but it has no effect on stationary objects. The reason for that is, the three filters transmit, sequentially, the primary colors in white light, red, green, and blue. To make an exposure, set the camera on multiple exposure. Take the first exposure using a red filter. Take the second exposure by placing a blue filter, and the third exposure by using a green filter. You can also make the Harris shutter by making three square gelatin filters (No. 25 red, 61 green, and 38A blue), cut and taped over a black cardboard. Use an adapter ring (same size to fit your lens) fitted to a box which is light tight except for the opening at the top and front. The box is then attached to the camera's lens, and the filter strip is dropped in front of the lens with the camera set on B.  

Blurring effect:

Left Image: Minolta Maxxum 9000, 100mm f-2.8 macro lens, Kodachrome 25, Bogen tripod and pan/tilt head, Cokin diffusion and dream filters. Spot metering, f-5.6 , 1 sec exposure bracketed in 1/2 step increments +/-2 stops. Manual exposure mode and manual focus.

 

Sometimes a blurred photograph can obtain striking and unusual results. This simple technique is achieved by turning the focusing ring on your lens and using a wide aperture. The highlights begin to soften and if they are brightly colored, they begin to spread. When using this technique, make sure your subject is recognizable and your effect intentional. For moving subjects, you must use a slow shutter speed. Your shutter speed depends on the speed of your subject. A car may require 1/250 sec whereas a person walking becomes blurred with 1/15 sec. Ghostly images can be created of people walking and you can create a sense of speed in a picture with fast moving subjects.

Jiggling: You can create some unusual special effects with stationary subjects by moving your camera during a long exposure. Set your camera on your tripod and use a slow shutter speed. Press the shutter release and slowly move your camera in one direction. This technique is best done at night with subjects which include lights such as buildings, streets, or signs for creating interesting light trails especially with varied and colorful lights.

Zooming: This technique is also done during a long exposure and by using a zoom lens for creating a sense of movement. Use a slow shutter speed of 1/30 sec or slower and zoom through the full range of focal lengths. For best results use an image set against a background with highlights and shadow areas.

Filtered flash: The color of light from flash can be changed by placing filters over the flash. By Using multiple exposure and filtered flash you can create some unusual still life as well as other subjects. Set the camera on multiple exposure and place a colored filter over the flash and take the first exposure. Take the additional exposures by changing the filter with a different color. You must adjust exposure by increasing 2 stops for red filter, 11/2 stops for green and blue filters.

Vignetting: This is a special effect with only the center of the photograph in sharp focus. You can purchase Vignetting filters or you can smear a thin coating of Vaseline around the edges of a UV filter. By Vignetting you create a frame in your photograph which makes your subject the center of interest.

Sandwiching slides: There are many ways that you can use slides to create special effects. This is simply done by removing two different slides from their mounts and placing them in one slide mount. The density of the two slides should be the same. Choose an image with a strong subject, with the other adding supplementary elements. Sunsets, clouds, moon make great secondary images. Sandwiching slides can turn any ordinary photograph into an extraordinary one.

Special effect filters: There are dozens of filters available for special effects. Among them are Colored filters, colored Polarizers, split filters, diffusion, fog, star, rainbow, multi-image, and more. Experiment with different types of these filters but try to be creative. You can also combine these filters for more unusual effects.