By Louisa Burden
Feature Editor

We’ve all see pictures that make us instantly think, “That has to be Photoshopped!” With all the photo editing software available, photographers don’t always take the time to create an interesting image without using a computer to manipulate the entire image. Caleb Charland is one exception to this rule. He uses multiple exposures in his photography to create images that are beautiful and seemingly unrealistic. By using more than one exposure, he can layer in different light patterns from candles (see photo) and even mirrors.

Fountain of light: Caleb Charland uses multiple exposure photography instead of Photoshop to create his amazing images.

Multiple exposures are difficult to take with a digital camera, as many cameras don’t have that option. Often, the only way to do it is by using photo editing software.  For analog cameras, such as Charland uses, it is much easier to take these multiple exposures to create the photo they want. First, you expose the film to the image that you want. Then, you cover it up, change the image or the scenery however you like, and expose the film again. This will create a “double image” in which both images converge together on the film. You can keep doing this as many times as you wish (although the image will most likely become more convoluted with each new exposure). It is often advisable to use a tripod when doing this, as it will keep the camera steady if you are photographing the same scene with additional objects. It will especially help if you plan to do more than two or three exposures.

Once the film is developed, you will have your multiple exposure photograph. Rather than spending hours on the computer editing your image, you can just develop the film and your awesome new multiple exposure photo is ready to go. Get ready to show all your friends and watch their amazement when they discover that the image hasn’t been edited!