Multiple exposure lets you combine two or more exposures into one image without using any post processing software like Photoshop. This option is only available in P, S, A and M mode. Sometimes it’s fun to experiment with your camera settings. If you are planning for fun shooting, trying multiple exposure is one good option. Nikon offers feature called “Multiple Exposure” which combines two or more images inside camera using the RAW data from the sensor, producing images that are blended together smoothly. I assume you got little idea what Multiple Exposure means and what it does. Now let’s see how to setup your camera to take multiple exposure shot in single frame.
Camera settings for Multiple Exposure
1. Go to the Shooting menu by pressing Menu button on the back of your camera.
2. Choose Multiple Exposure from the Shooting menu.
3. Select Number of shots you want to combine into single frame. Nikon D90 allows you to select between 2 and 3 shots.
4. Choose Auto Gain and select either ON or OFF. When ON is selected, Nikon D90 will divide the total exposure of the image by number of shots specified above. For example if you specified number of shots 2 and Gain is ON, each shot will get ½ of total exposure. If Gain is OFF, total exposure is applied to individual shot.
5. Press OK to set the Gain.
6. After you are done with these settings, scroll up to the Done and hit OK. Upon completion, you will see Multiple Exposure icon (overlapping rectangle) on the LCD screen.
7. Now you are ready for shot. When you take first shot, Multiple Exposure icon on the LCD screen starts blinking until you finished shooting all the series (no of shots you specified). If you are in continuous shooting mode, all the series will be shot in single burst shot. When you have taken all the series, blinking icon disappears and camera will turn off Multiple Exposure feature automatically.
I have taken couple shots to demonstrate Multiple Exposure feature. I set number of shots 2 and shot couple pictures with Gain OFF and again I took another couple pictures with Gain ON. I took all the series of pictures with exact same exposure settings. I didn’t use tripod for these shots and that is why you can see little overlapping between two frames when combined to single shot. When you take two shots, camera will process itself and combine them into single shot giving you Multiple Exposure effects in single image. I have seen people creating ghosts effects using this technique which looks pretty cool.
Gain ON Focal length : 24mm Exposure : f/3.8 Shutter Speed : 1/60sec ISO : 800
Gain OFF Focal length : 22mm Exposure : f/3.8 Shutter Speed : 1/60sec ISO : 800
I used only one teddy bear to get this shot. What I did is, first I put teddy bear on the left side and took a shot. After then I put same teddy bear on the right side and adjust a frame so that both can fit into single frame after camera combines two images into one and took second shot. After camera combines both shots, this is what I got as a result. It’s not perfect shot as I didn’t use tripod and didn’t align the pictures properly but you can get amazing effects using this technique properly. Nice thing about this feature is you don’t have to use any software to get the effect, your camera will do it for you automatically.
About UM3$H
Is it possible to change any settings between multiple exposures? For example, changing the ISO to manually affect the exposure yourself? I think it is possible on the D300 but I can’t do it on my D7000. I just got it and I’m still experimenting so I thought I would ask.
Thanks,
Josh
Josh,
There are certain things you can’t change once you start multiple exposure session. You can’t change ISO value during multiple exposure session and auto bracketing is also disabled. It’s better to set ISO manually and leave it for whole series. Also keep in mind that if you have disabled gain (gain is off), your total ISO will be multiplied by the number of shots in final image and thus creating more noise. But if you want to change exposure settings during multiple exposure session, you can change Shutter Speed, Aperture and Exposure Value (EV). This technique is famous for taking HDR images inside camera without using any post processing software.
I hope that helps.
Sweet. Thanks for the info. I am more interested in ghosting images but being able to control the how much ghost effect is there. I think the D300 let you adjust ISO in ME setting but I could be wrong. I didn’t bother with trying the shutter speed, aperture or EV so thanks for that info, I’ll give it a try.
Glad to help you. Please let us know if that works for you and will love to see your pictures too.
Is it possible to take more than 3 shots in multiple exposure. if possible then how?
Mukul,
Nikon D90 allows only 3 shots to be combined into single frame which you can select in the menu shown in first picture above. If you are using different camera, you may have to look how many number of shots particular camera supports to combine.
Have fun shooting!