I remember toying with double exposures back in college when I had access to a darkroom. I used my trusty and beloved Pentax K1000 (aka the Tank) loaded up with T-max and created all kinds of mysterious frames; ghostly, hard to decipher, black and white visions of strange lights and shadows overlapping in ways that made no sense in a kind of random visual poetry.
I’ve recently discovered that shooting into windows can offer a simulated double exposure effect without the film or nearly as much effort. Sweet artistic discoveries! Mind you, you’re not 100% in control of what your two subject matters will be in your frame, like you are with true double exposures but if you’re careful to really study both your subject and the reflection you can create the look and feel you want.
I have had great luck through hotel windows like above and also while window shopping. For me the effect has worked best when I’ve paid the most attention to what I’m shooting through the window. What ends up being seen in the window’s reflection is a little more luck of the draw as to what is behind you (frames on a wall or a parking lot). Regardless, the results can be both disorienting and delightful.
I encourage you to try the technique to see what things look like doubled up through your lens. Share with us today something you’ve been reflecting on or in or through. Illuminate us.