Double Images

While taking my Biology degree in university, I quickly came to realize that I needed some sort of artistic outlet for balance. I enrolled in whatever art courses I could fit into my hectic schedule, eventually working my way up to an Art Minor in Photography.

I loved finally learning the theory behind what it was that I was doing, and was eager to improve my technique.

Especially on trips.

One day. after seeing some double exposed images, I decided I wanted to give it a try. I snapped a roll of nature images, rewound the film, and then shot a bunch of self-portraits on top of them.

I loved the results – especially the unpredictable nature of the process – though my professor suggested I try to find a way to control how things were combined. I came up with the idea to project images on live subjects and then photograph the results.

The lighting was harsh and difficult to work with, so I tried to filter it a bit by adding a relatively transparent screen between the two.

After a little fiddling with lighting and such, my series of double images was born. These resulting images were printed 16″x20″ to make them “life-sized” portraits.

Loreal on Jen.

Greek Statue on Brian.

Clara Bow on Julide.

Van Gogh on Tate.

Sophia Lauren on Iam.

Mona Lisa on Tate.

Nefrititi on Ines.

A Zuni Warrior on Misha.

Sadly, when I finished my degree and no longer had access to a light-tight studio and dark room, that was the end of the double images. Though I tried to recreate them at home, I just couldn’t get them to work quite the same way. I imagine doing such a thing on the computer nowadays would be much, much easier…though maybe not quite as magical.