Taking Multiplicity Photographs

In this Tutorial Steve McDermott is going to show you how to take Multiplicity photographs.

Not really sure this is the right name for them, but I like it as it explains exactly what this technique does.

The setup is very simple. It uses the same principle as the computer screen project – transparent objects break light.

As simple as is is, it can give you amazing results. Definitely a fun weekend project.

Materials

• a sheet of glass, I used one from an old picture frame.
• two boxes similar in size, I’m using car model boxes. The reason I like these boxes is because I have three heights I can you use them at, depending on which side is on the bottom.
• tap water
• an eyedropper. You could just splash the water on the glass but the eyedropper gives you so much more control over the water beads.
• Now the most important thing is the RainX, without it you are not gonna get the water to bead up, it’s the trick that makes all this work.

Instructions

1. As for the subject you can really use anything you like, I’ve used flowers, lens cap, logos, and even candy.

2. Take piece of glass and apply the RainX. Once you have done that place you glass on the two boxes, try to get the boxes on the very edge of the glass, gives you more working room with the water beads.

3. Place you subject under the glass, you’re gonna have to flip it, so that the reflection in the water beads are the correct way. (of flip your camera, or god forbid flip in post :) You will have to move your subject around until you have it centered in you water beads.

4. As far as focusing goes, it is best to use manual focus so the focus grid does not get confused. Make sure you focus on the images inside the water beads. If you have live view I recommend using it, and zooming in to makes focusing a lot easier.

5. If you want a good sharp picture, consider placing your object on a white surface and using a strobe to light it.

6. Snap your shot

7. You can play with the aperture to gain different depth of field images.