Multiple exposure is one technique of many used in abstract photography. Multiple exposures are used in many other practices for many types of aesthetics so is not exclusive. When it comes to multiple exposures used in abstraction it can be used to combine images to create the whole or be used to mask and blend objects into one.
The image below is a bandstand photographed in a circle around it. The resultant image is a stack that is blended into one. This image means that you see the whole of the bandstand at once. Although it retains the image that we are familiar with its an image that can never be seen in reality. Other aspects that come into play is that spurious parts in the background blend and are lost.
The process of multiple exposures used in both these images is utilising a full 360o image capture. I have experimented with a smaller angle where access does not permit the 360o and although it can be equally successful I feel that these two are the best I have produces so far.
One review commented on the colour palette, Which sadly can’t be helped with a green bandstand or tree. However, I do understand that this style is often used in street scenes where there can be a lot of vibrant colours. So if you compare on aesthetics they would always be better.
I will progress this further at some point, although it is producing abstract images I am not sure that this is a form of abstraction that I have been looking for as the images are too ‘real’ and clearly is a work in progress with only two images to include.
To take this multiple exposure further I feel that I would have to start travelling to find locations where more colour can be introduced. With the current pandemic restrictions, this has not been possible but maybe in the near future, it will be.
There are several notable artists who work with multiple exposures such as Corinne Vionnet and Pep Ventosa (further details).
As experimentation, I have used the method with the appropriation of images to create new work. Lockdown Travels via Pinterest.
