This Clever Double Exposure Technique Is Saving The Universe

There is nothing we like more than the Universe. And there is nothing we love more than creative double exposure techniques. This is why we fell in love with German photographer Jan von Holleben‘s new series Saving The Universe.

The series depicts various universe-saving machines that Jan’s friends and family came up with to help us make a better world.

Here is some of the inspiration that drive the project:

Some weeks ago, I asked friends and family about their dearest wishes for their lives and a wonderful future. After heated debates, a tedious selection process, intensive research, and long pre-Christmas nights, my team and I managed to plan, construct, and test a series of 10 machines that fulfill those wishes to everyone’s greatest satisfaction.

We asked Jan how he made those beautiful photos and were surprised to learn that they were not shopped but use a clever “double exposure” technique + using things from that wires drawer we all have.

We have an initial shooting in my studio with the model (in that case myself), pretending to work on a machine. Then we print out that first image on photographic paper and collage all the objects on top.

When finished, we take a second image from straight above, which combines the original photo with the objects in one final photograph!

Here are a few more of Jan’s creations which will hopefully make a better universe indeed:

Ans some more world saving machines:

Model_003, the Good-Morning-Machine (inspired by Ursula Bärenz), gets you clean and ready for your Action-Day in just three minutes flat (everything included)!

Model_005, the Minimal-Re-Normal-Machine (inspired by Herbert Schröter), is for all of the things that take up too much space. Reduce the size of anything, put it on a small shelf or in a box, and resize it again when you need it.

This machine might seem a little strange to you, but, again, we have our reasons for its selection: Model_008, the Gender-Swap-Machine (inspired by Heidi von Holleben). Enter at right as a man and you turn into a woman (as seen). Enter at left as a woman and exit as a man! This can be repeated endless times. No worries. We tested it well!

My dear brother wished for a machine that turns candy into sexy women. Oh well! We opted for it because, with too much candy sitting around, this Model_010 Candy-to-Sexy-Woman-Machine (inspired by Marc von Holleben) seemed particularly useful. I know there are people around who will fancy this machine! So have it and be happy, or opt for the pure happiness delivered by Model_009.

This is my favorite machine: Model_007, the Universal-Anything-Machine (inspired by André Netzker), equipped with a random generator. This machine turns anything into something else. You have no control over what it’s going to be, but you can be sure: it will be something GOOD!

[Saving The Universe | Jan von Holleben]

P.S. It is not the first time Jan is puling an above the head stunt like this, we previously featured his dreams of children series.

P.P.S. You can help save the world too by sending a mail to Jan and asking for a free digital file like so: to become the proud owner of your very own free universe-saving-machine, simply choose your favorite and order at lieutenant@janvonholleben.com.