| The discovery of this technique was the result of | | | | still then easily be added to the black and white |
| an accident. The chance projection of a slide | | | | projected images by the choice of screen, as well |
| without having the screen in place resulted in a | | | | as by the introduction of colour |
| portrait appearing partly on some fabric and partly | | | | filters.FILTERSMany filters are available for the |
| on the wallpaper. The curved fabric distorted the | | | | camera, and these can be used with the |
| image and when the picture was clearly focussed | | | | projector too. But any bits of coloured cellophane |
| the weave and texture of the materials forming a | | | | can also be used with the projector. There are |
| type of screen became part of the portrait. This | | | | hundreds of colours easily available, as one only |
| result was sufficiently intriguing to leave the | | | | needs such small pieces.Even if they are not |
| projection as it was and to study the possibilities | | | | optically of use with the camera, if used between |
| of this occurrence.If this effect could be | | | | the projector condenser lens, and the film, they |
| photographed, then one can photograph projected | | | | can influence the colour of the projected image, |
| images on other textures or even on other | | | | without any optical problems. With care it is also |
| objects. This proved to be the basic approach to | | | | possible to change the colours of specific parts of |
| gain full control of all images. Providing a | | | | the projected image.MAKE THE SUBJECT THE |
| completely new way of superimposing and | | | | SCREENIt is not difficult to move on to other |
| controlling every aspect of photographs. Obviously | | | | objects that can do more than just act as a |
| if one can see it, one can photograph it!The | | | | screen. These are items that become an |
| projector however offers so many more | | | | important part of the subject of the new |
| possibilities than the darkroom enlarger to create | | | | photograph just as essential as the projected |
| pictures. Take any image on any film; it is just as | | | | image.For example an original portrait was |
| easy to project negatives or transparencies in | | | | projected on to a clamshell, amongst other shells, |
| colour or black and white on to what ever is | | | | and the contours of the shell influenced the |
| desired. Consider the potential when projecting an | | | | projected image. With careful masking using a |
| image on to; fabrics (not always flat), textures, or | | | | diffused mask behind the lens, allowed light to |
| even on to other objects, then try bouncing the | | | | illuminate other parts of the scene too.There are |
| projected photograph off a reflective surface and | | | | a number of other objects that have been used |
| focus it on to a screen, or have a look at what | | | | in this way; a butterfly with a river scene, an |
| happens if a crystal is placed near to the | | | | orchid, a ball of wool and a Siamese cat, a coin, or |
| projector lens (behind the lens as well as in front). | | | | a decaying holly leaf.Even a highly reflective |
| Colour filters can be used, or parts of the image | | | | surface can be used such as coins. The camera |
| can be masked (again compare the results | | | | was directly in front of the top coin, so that the |
| obtained in front, as against behind, the projector | | | | projected image from the projector was to the |
| lens).With more than one projector it is possible to | | | | left of the camera. This meant that the camera |
| combine and superimpose with perfect control | | | | lens avoided the very bright reflection. Even the |
| more than one image. By projecting these | | | | edges of the pages of a book have been used.It |
| images, one on top of the other, and then | | | | can be fascinating to take your projector for a |
| masking away the overlapping parts of each | | | | walk! Use an extension lead and just project a |
| image, that are no longer required, a totally new | | | | selection of slides on to everything in sight. By |
| picture can be formed.These are the basic | | | | focusing on to a wide range of objects, you will |
| principles, which with infinite variety are used to | | | | be able to see what happens - expect to be |
| mould, form and relate at will, all that has ever | | | | surprised at some of the possibilities that will no |
| been photographed. It is in fact the projector that | | | | doubt come to light!MASKINGMasking is best |
| provides all the magic; such is the diversity that | | | | achieved by using black card that is stiff enough |
| can be achieved with it. The older type of | | | | to stay upright; yet is easily cut into whatever |
| projectors are often of more use than the | | | | shape is required. It works well in front or behind |
| modern automatic ones, as it is then likely to be | | | | the projector lens. If masking in front of the lens |
| easier to gain access to the space behind the lens. | | | | it will quickly become apparent that the nearer to |
| That facility is of great advantage with these | | | | the screen the mask is placed, the sharper the |
| techniques - so one should look out for cheap | | | | shadow cast. The ideal is to always use a soft |
| second hand ones!ADDING TEXTUREThe easiest | | | | edge shadow so the mask will not be very far |
| way to begin is to experiment with the projected | | | | forward of the lens.If it is possible to work behind |
| image, try projecting a favourite portrait on to a | | | | the lens, then the nearer to the film, the sharper |
| selection of textured surfaces, to be used as a | | | | the shadows edge will be. It is then simple to |
| screen. An enormous variety of textures are | | | | perfectly blend different images when working |
| possible to use, they do not always need to be | | | | with more than one projector.There have been |
| white, nor do they always need to be flat.There is | | | | times when instead of masking with black card a |
| likely to be an element of distortion, as it is not | | | | transparent opaque plastic has been preferred, |
| possible to have the camera lens in exact | | | | this avoids a black shadow forming, especially if |
| alignment with the projector, but do not worry | | | | the second projection is not adding much in that |
| about this yet, distortion can be useful as | | | | particular area. Tracing paper has been effective |
| described later.The use of a texture in portrait | | | | for this purpose normally placed behind the lens |
| work is particularly attractive, some of the | | | | near to the film.Before considering a second |
| beauty and character found in painted portraits is | | | | projector, with just one, there are now an |
| lacking in photographs. But the realism of the | | | | amazing amount of possibilities that can be |
| photograph becomes more abstract simply by | | | | achieved with the projected image. However with |
| adding a texture and this can bring out more | | | | two projectors the additional special effects are |
| expression or character than was evident before. | | | | quite sensational.DOUBLE EXPOSURE - |
| This does not mean that one is copying paintings | | | | PROJECTOR STYLE!The first option with the |
| as totally different images are created from | | | | projector is to mount two pieces of film, |
| those ever painted, but that this abstract quality | | | | sandwiched in the same mount, and project the |
| that so enriches portraits, can also apply to | | | | combined images on to a screen. By focusing on |
| photographs.DISTORTIONSThe only way of | | | | one of the images, the one in true focus will |
| avoiding distortion is to project square on to the | | | | dominate and soften the other. Much depends on |
| choice of screen and to rephotograph the image | | | | the slide carrier used, but if there is room to |
| with a plate camera. Then one can correct the | | | | insert more than two mounts in to the carrier, |
| angle of view with the lens movements as used | | | | then the more space between the two films the |
| for architecture or perspective | | | | greater the effect of one image dominating the |
| correction.However, more often than not, | | | | other. Should both images need to be in focus |
| distortion can be a very interesting effect if used | | | | then the closer they are to each other the |
| carefully. It can even be a very dramatic tool. | | | | better.When sandwiching films in this manner it is |
| Any image can easily be elongated and stretched, | | | | possible to insert one or the other upside down, |
| or squashed and made wider. It just depends on | | | | on its side, or the other way round. But there is |
| the angle of the projector, or the camera, to the | | | | little more opportunity with this technique of |
| screen.REFLECTIONSSo far it has been shown | | | | controlling the end result, so it is only a little bit |
| how an image can be influenced by; the addition | | | | better than double exposure as at least one can |
| of a texture, the effect of distortion, the use of | | | | see what the result looks like first.TWO |
| colour filtration, and the use of negatives or black | | | | PROJECTORSThis method involves using two |
| and white films.Another fascinating way of | | | | projectors, but one has then an exciting way of |
| manipulating a projected image is to consider | | | | blending any two previously created pictures, with |
| reflections. The principle involved is basically to | | | | far more control!The technique is simple; just |
| rephotograph a projected image as seen in a | | | | project both images separately on to the same |
| mirror, or bounced off a mirror. But instead of | | | | choice of screen. However, these images can |
| using a mirror, there are many other options. Try | | | | now be positioned whichever way one might wish, |
| a piece of acetate film as this material allows one | | | | one image could be much larger than the other, |
| to bend or twist it, and so distort the image seen, | | | | or by masking parts of each image, a different |
| by forming a flexible mirror.There are two quite | | | | blend of the two pictures can be created. This is |
| different effects achievable even with the flexible | | | | how any parts, of any picture, can be blended |
| mirror in a fixed position and the same image | | | | together and all the time one can see exactly |
| projected. The first method is to project the | | | | what is to be photographed.Ideally, two identical |
| image on to a screen and to photograph the | | | | projectors should be used, if possible with zoom |
| reflection seen. The other is to project the image | | | | lenses. Should this prove impractical then |
| into the flexible mirror, so that it bounces off it, | | | | variations in performance of the second projector |
| on to the screen; it is this new image that is then | | | | can be allowed for, by masking the brighter of |
| to be photographed.There are many reflecting | | | | the two, just in front of the lens to achieve the |
| surfaces that can be used. They do not always | | | | same brilliance from both projectors.To enhance |
| need to be smooth, a highly polished old silver | | | | the quality of the results one can achieve with |
| cigarette case, with a machine finished pattern as | | | | this technique, there is an advantage in obtaining a |
| an over all design, has been used to advantage.All | | | | screen designed for rear projection.IMAGE |
| photographs including those techniques already | | | | BLENDINGOnce the full potential of using two |
| described can be made into patterns rather like a | | | | projectors is realised, there will be a need for |
| kaleidoscope by the use of mirrors. By positioning | | | | quite different types of images, these are what |
| mirrors at right angles to each other, with the | | | | are referred to as background shots, in the |
| image projected on to a choice of screen in such | | | | advertising world. A completely new stock of |
| a way, that the reflections are repeated in the | | | | photographs will have to be taken, with blending |
| mirrors will then form a pattern that can be | | | | potential in mind, no matter how many pictures |
| photographed. The possibilities of scale and size | | | | are available from the past.Now each image can |
| are no problem when projecting images, the | | | | be simply modified: The brightness of one image, |
| biggest building in the world can easily be | | | | as against the other, can be controlled. By |
| projected between a couple of small mirrors or | | | | masking and shading just parts, of each image, |
| on to a small object!CRYSTAL | | | | can be blended. Colours of certain areas can be |
| PATTERNSSpectacular patterns can be created | | | | altered with filters. The position of each image, |
| by the use of crystals or prisms. Apart from the | | | | relative to each other, can be adjusted. Or even |
| special effect types available for use on the | | | | the size, of one image as against the other, can |
| camera, remember these can be used with the | | | | easily be altered. One of the images could be |
| projector too, it is also interesting to use old | | | | distorted, reflected, or be changed in to a pattern |
| crystals designed to form a chandelier.Experiment | | | | by the use of a crystal. The possibilities are quite |
| with different crystals placed in front of the | | | | staggering!Best of all, the combined images are |
| projector lens, not always square on, and see | | | | there to be seen all the time, until the desired |
| how the image scatters according to the cut. The | | | | result is formed. There is no need to rely on |
| best results are often found to be with a fairly | | | | guesswork, as so many other special effects |
| small image within the transparency frame.Quite a | | | | seem to demand, with these methods so no film |
| different pattern will be formed, by moving the | | | | really should ever be wasted.With two projectors |
| crystal behind the lens. Obviously as these | | | | it becomes possible to mix film effects together |
| crystals are not optically perfect, the projected | | | | in a way not possible before. It is so easy to |
| image will lose some definition, but it can still be | | | | blend negative images with transparencies, in |
| useful as a background image.COLOUR, BLACK & | | | | colour or black and white. Instead of |
| WHITE OR NEGATIVE IMAGESPhotography has | | | | transparencies in both projectors, one of them |
| the advantage of instantly reproducing an image in | | | | could be projecting a black and white negative or |
| a number of ways. Just by the selection of film | | | | a colour negative just as easily.PLATE 3'Spirit of |
| the image can be in black and white, colour or in | | | | Spring' is a well-known award winning study that |
| either of these choices it could also be in negative | | | | won much acclaim for the author. This |
| form. All these can be projected!Negatives can be | | | | transparency of a portrait was projected over; a |
| unusually beautiful in themselves and they should | | | | second projected colour negative image of a red |
| not just be regarded as the means of obtaining a | | | | tulip. A variation of this concept is plate 59 (Poetic |
| print. The choice of projected images should not | | | | portfolio) where another profile of Susan was |
| be restricted to transparencies but include film in | | | | blended with a colour negative of the centre of a |
| all its forms. Black and white images positives or | | | | tulip. |
| negatives can be projected and used. Colour can | | | | |