| Some DSLR cameras now offer multiple | | | | to what appears to look good to me as I record |
| exposure modes. These include the Nikon D3, | | | | each exposure. |
| D300, D2H, D2x, D200, and D80, the Pentax | | | | You can also begin at the closest zoom setting |
| K10D, and *istD, Pentax Optio 550, and the | | | | with the flower filling the frame and then gradually |
| Fujifilm Fine Pix S5, S3, S2, and S1. This may not | | | | zoom out. It is important when using this |
| be a complete list so check your camera manual | | | | technique to begin with camera quite close to the |
| to see if your camera has this option. | | | | flower. In the case of the Tamron 28-300mm |
| While you can combine multiple captures using | | | | lens, the shortest distance that lens can focus to |
| layers in Photoshop and other imaging software, | | | | is approximately 19 inches. The zoom is then |
| there a several advantages to being able to | | | | adjusted in successive increments such that at |
| combine exposures in camera as you are able to | | | | the final exposure the flower nearly fills the frame |
| do with film. The Nikon D300 uses raw data from | | | | with just a little of the background showing. |
| the camera's sensor and can combine the | | | | The final image produced using multiple exposures |
| information/data from up to 10 exposures into | | | | is often difficult to visualize. One of the |
| one file. This eliminates the need to work with the | | | | advantages of digital is the capability to review |
| layer opacity and blending mode of multiple files | | | | the photograph immediately after capture and |
| and provides smoother image integration with less | | | | make any adjustments to camera and flower |
| effort. By using the auto gain function there is no | | | | positioning. |
| need to adjust individual exposures after setting | | | | Lighting is just as important in multiple exposure |
| the initial aperture and shutter speed. | | | | photography as it is in single exposure |
| While it is possible to use a fixed focal length | | | | photography. I am fortunate to have a skylight |
| macro lens when capturing multiple images, a | | | | that provides a diffused light source to the |
| zoom "macro" lens provides the advantage of not | | | | flowers. If it is necessary to use strobes I would |
| having to adjust the camera or flower position | | | | recommend using umbrellas or a soft box to |
| with each successive exposure. For these | | | | preserve the textural details of the flowers. |
| photographs I used a Tamron 28-300mm AF | | | | Because of the length of time needed to take |
| Aspherical XR Di LD (IF) 1:3.5-6.3 Macro lens. While | | | | multiple exposures in the manner described |
| not a true macro lens it does provides a 1:3 | | | | above, it is necessary to control positioning of the |
| reproduction ratio. | | | | flower, camera, lighting, and background. |
| One of the key ingredients of successful multiple | | | | Because when I start I don't know exactly how |
| exposure photography is choosing a subject that | | | | long I will be photographing an individual flower, I |
| lends itself to this process. Flowers provide a | | | | like to use fresh water prepared with some plant |
| variety of shapes, tones, and contrasts that blend | | | | food which most flower stores will give you for |
| well in the final image. These attributes contribute | | | | free when you purchase the flowers. If the photo |
| to the unique photographs produced when | | | | session stretches into several days as you come |
| employing multiple exposures. By employing the | | | | up with new ideas you will be thankful you |
| techniques discussed in this article you can achieve | | | | provided the flower with some nourishment! |
| a luminosity and transparency that surpasses | | | | I begin by leveling the surface upon which the |
| single exposure flower photography. | | | | flower will be placed. It is a good idea to start |
| Setting a custom white balance (WB) is preferable | | | | with a fairly long stem on the flower and to place |
| to allowing the camera's auto WB to determine | | | | the flower in a vase which provides a stable |
| the color temperature. By shooting in RAW | | | | support. By leaving a long stem you can |
| format you can also adjust the WB after | | | | photograph the flower from below which provides |
| exposure to complement each image. If you | | | | a unique perspective that I have seldom seen in |
| experiment with WB settings you may achieve | | | | flower photography as most people concentrate |
| hue variations that will enhance the photograph. | | | | on the petals, pistil, and stamen from either the |
| A dark background provides a nice contrast to | | | | top or side. With the flower supported and on a |
| lighter colored flowers and also blends well with | | | | level surface you can rotate the vase to achieve |
| successive exposures. I use black seamless paper | | | | any angle that you wish. As the flower is rotated |
| for most of the white, yellow, and pink flowers. It | | | | the illumination on the petals changes as well as |
| is a good idea to check the initial and final | | | | the position relative to the camera lens. Many |
| proposed zoom settings to see the proportion of | | | | different shapes and contrasts can be obtained |
| flower and background in the frame. A technique | | | | by employing this technique and often a very |
| that I like to use is to begin at the shortest focal | | | | abstract pattern can result that can be quite |
| length where a large amount of background is in | | | | appealing. By rotating the flower about a singe |
| the frame and then gradually adjust focal length | | | | point a spiral effect can be achieved. |
| with each exposure. Each successive zoom | | | | The use of a tripod is highly recommended to |
| setting changes the focal length until reaching the | | | | stabilize the camera. I would also recommend |
| maximum extension. If we use the 28-300mm | | | | using mirror lockup/exposure delay and a remote |
| zoom as an example the total change from | | | | shutter release or self timer. Position the tripod at |
| shortest to longest focal length is 272mm. Let's | | | | the height for the first photograph and level the |
| assume that we will record 10 exposures. Our | | | | camera. It is also a good idea to position the angle |
| first exposure will be at 28mm and our last at | | | | of the camera lens parallel to the plane of the |
| 300mm so that leaves 8 exposures in which to | | | | flower, and if maximum depth of field is desired |
| divide our range. Using a little approximation for | | | | to adjust the aperture to f/16 or f/22. Generally I |
| ease of focal length positioning, this calculates to | | | | photograph in aperture priority mode. |
| settings of 28, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, | | | | I hope that these suggestions and guidelines |
| and 300mm for the 10 exposures. Sometimes | | | | provide a good starting point for your exploration |
| rather than adhere to strict divisions I just look | | | | of multiple exposure photography. |
| through the lens and adjust the zoom according | | | | |