double exposure question, 4x5'' b&w

[w._veena]

For a new project I plan to double expose 4x5 b/w sheet film. I

don�t have decided the type of film yet, but it should be on the

faster side, maybe 400.

 

Every photograph should consist of a portrait of a person (exposure

1) and a second (small) object, which should appear on a part of the

person�s skin like a tattoo (rather dark, 2dimensional look).

 

So, my idea is to (1st) make the portrait (2nd) mark the approx.

position of the �tattoo object� on the ground glass with some

transparent film and a permanent marker (3rd) arrange the �tattoo

object� in front of a white background and align it with the mark on

the ground glass and (4th) make the second exposure.

 

Well, this is the theory. I know there are lots of other ways to

achieve this, but I want to avoid to create the double exposure in

the darkroom with two negs., and I don�t want to use any digital

manipulation. The big question for me now is how to correctly expose

for this? The �tattoo-object� can appear pretty dark, not much or no

detail is required, just a silhouette. But the portrait overall

should be as balanced as a single exposure, with good gray tones

etc.

 

As I want to avoid too much trial-and-error testing, which would

probably be rather frustrating, maybe someone could give some rough

tips on how to expose or how I could approximate the right exposure

with some kind of calculation.

 

Thanks a lot for your input!

 

Wolfgang

[w._veena]

Sorry for the question-marks and some other funny characters. Dont know where they come from and hope that my question is nevertheless comprehensible.

[lee hamiel]

Wolfgang:

 

First off I would suggest using Polaroid type 55 film; This way you can see if you get what you want & it's a great film for the end product.

 

Secondly: I would suggest shooting two sep. neg's of each image & combining either in the darkroom or in PS. More control & perhaps better end result.

 

Good Luck

[huw_finney]

Instead of film and a marker use a Chinagraph pencil directly on the GG. One point is that double exposure in the camera (and two negs together) only lightens things, for a darker tattoo you need double exposure when enlarging.

 

Assuming the double exposure route to get a reasonable exposure bracket, in this case for a one stop bracket, which is all you need to vary the ratio of the face to tattoo, you need 6 exposures on 3 films.

 

1. Both 'normal'

 

2. Face one stop over, tattoo normal.

 

3. Tattoo one stop over, face normal.

 

The exposure lattitude will take care of the rest. Don't forget to take the tattoo on a black background.

[huw_finney]

...and if doing the double exposure in the enlarger take the tattoo on a very white background.

[w._veena]

Thanks so far! I'll go for some tests. Hope I get some nice result to be shown here.

 

regards