Double and Triple the Fun in the Studio

[RustySterling]

I took these shots for an assignment for my year long visualization/mentoring workshop. He wanted us to do a self portrait with double exposure. The hardest part was getting both images in focus, which was even harder in the triple exposure.

I set the camera shutter in bulb mode after using a target to get focus. Then I pulled the lens cap off and quickly put it back on, changed position and did it again. Then I released the shutter and started over again. Seems like the image exposed first was generally in focus but the second image seemed to lack sharp focus. If anybody has an tips on how to get good focus on both images in the shot I'd appreciate the feedback.

What I think is the best shot.


I had to try a triple exposure.


Not too unhappy with this one but still prefer the first shot.

[FDCPR]

I see you are still playing, good for you. I like the triple image the best, but they all look good. The only suggestion I can offer is based upon shooting these with film, I have no idea if it will help or not with digital. Shooting these in the past we found that we had to really learn the hyperfocal distance for the lens in use. The problem we had in shooting close distances was that even at a small aperture opening we still couldn't get both in focus. Once we moved to a different lens and stayed within the correct range they worked out better. Like I said, may not help but the only item I can offer.

[RustySterling]

Originally Posted by FDCPR

Shooting these in the past we found that we had to really learn the hyperfocal distance for the lens in use. The problem we had in shooting close distances was that even at a small aperture opening we still couldn't get both in focus. Once we moved to a different lens and stayed within the correct range they worked out better. Like I said, may not help but the only item I can offer.

Yes, I understand what you are saying. I used a 28mm lens in close so that I could reach it to take the lens cover off and on. I deliberately avoided a longer lens. Perhaps I should try this with my 17-40 zoom.

[RustySterling]

I checked the hyperfocal distance for the lens I used, and at f/22 focused on the subject at just over 3-feet, the DOF should be from just under 2-feet to about 10-feet. Just doesn't make sense unless hyperfocal distance changes for a APS-C sensor. Still, I would have thought it would still be in range even with the cropped sensor since the depth seems to be so broad. Puzzling. I'm going to try again doing something a bit different. But what I think may be happening is when I pull off the lens cap to expose the second image I must be moving a little bit and the camera is capturing that subject motion. That's the only thing that makes any sense to me. And I thought of that earlier and tried to be conscious of it. But the results were no better. So, like I said, I'll revisit this tomorrow and see what I can come up with using the same lens and a different lens.