Sandwiched Imagery

© Duane Michals

Traditionally, sandwiched imagery is taught as sandwiched negatives—the process of literally sandwiching (or overlapping) two negatives together in the darkroom enlarger to make one image. For this project we will be creating sandwiched imagery by overlapping two images in photoshop to create one final photograph. There are a couple of ways to create a sandwiched image, but the outcome creates the same overall effect. 

Assignment:

Create 5 sandwiched images. Sandwiched imagery is also sometimes referred to as multiple exposure. The process of double exposure is done in camera, meaning you take two images over the same frame or piece of film, so the process is done in camera. We can explore that option, but we also can take two separate images and overlap them in post production (in Adobe Photoshop) and have more control over the outcome of the image. Both processes are acceptable for this project. You may notice in the images shown that many of them include a portrait image, this is because it is often more interesting if one of the images is more recognizable to the viewer. It also alludes to the idea of the person's thought process or memory. 

Steps:

• Start by searching out imagery and creating an inspiration board
• Think of ideas—how can you make your images interesting?
• You are creating 5 images, this will be 10 separate shots to create the overlapped imagery but you should have many more options 
• Post-production is where these will really come together—unless you are trying the double/multiple exposure route—try to think about how two images might come together, give yourself several options of imagery to try out

Objective: To use separate images and the idea of collage to make an entirely new photograph