Is Digital the Death of the Double Exposure?

Mark Webster · Issue 14, Aug/Sep 2003 · pp. 35–41

Products mentioned: Nikon F801, Subal housing, 60mm micro lens, 16mm fish eye lens, Sea & Sea YS50, Fujichrome Velvia, Nikonos III, Nikonos IVa, Nikonos V, Pentax LX, Canon F1, Nikon F series

35 If we discuss manipulated images today many photographers would now refer to digital images which have been improved or changed dramatically in Photoshop or some other wizard software. The power and scope of digital software is still in its infancy but picture manipulation is now within the grasp of anybody who is reasonably competent with a computer. Stunning pictures can be produced combining two or more images with a plethora of special effects, but I find that I frequently ask myself if it is not too easy now and maybe it is possible to make the proverbial silk purse from one or more pigs ears! It was not all that long ago that the underwater photography world was stunned by the first double exposure, which of course is a real time in camera effect on film, which soon became very popular and ‘de rigeur’ for international photosub competitions. Those of us of a ‘certain age’ will r…