A Photographer That Inspired Me
Lately one of the things I've implemented in my work has been using double exposures to get unique looks. It was something I noticed a long time ago as a feature built right into my Fujifilm X-T3 and I thought it was neat, but I didn't use it nearly as much then as I do now. As time went on and I discovered more in the Fujifilm community, I stumbled upon an Instagram account by the name of “bewaremyfuji”. The photographer behind the account is Tom Baugaertel, and he heavily uses double exposures in his work. Primarily having heavy contrast with deep shadows and having color (usually sunsets or neon lights) that pops. His unique view on how he saw the world around him inspired me to implement double or multi exposures more in my work. When I started trying it out, I found myself being forced to get creative on the spot, as you take one photo and the camera prepares its next shot. Now, this is layered in camera right then and there - no post processing or editing. You have to get your next shot in camera, which then merges the two (or more) together to get your single image.
This fascinated me. You have to carefully plan your next shot. Of course, you have the ability to go back and try again while it saves your previous image (at least on Fujifilm cameras, I cannot speak for all brands) and recapture your next shot. I became so interested in this type of photography that I began to use this for portraits. Below are some of my first captures with double exposures back in May - July of 2021.
Back then it was a lot of experimentation. Just thinking it was a cool feature on the camera, but the shot of me surrounded by my own eye started turning the gears. One of the cool things about that transition from the early photos to the shot of my eye, is that right afterwards I could immediately see my progress - the level up of my images. I have Tom to thank for that, for his creativity and his jaw dropping shots. Below are behind the scenes images taken during production for the feature film, Hi.
It was these images, though main the first and third images, that sparked more creativity in my multiple exposures. Wanting to take it a bit further, I tried to replicate some of the types of images that Tom creates. I waited until the sun was setting, to get that pop of color and get some contrast for silhouette shots. The following shots below we taken back in June of 2022, using the Fujifilm X-T3 paired with the 100-400mm lens.
Taking what I learned from watching Tom’s work, I used this bridge over a dam to take my double exposures. I would capture someone walking or biking across, then in my second shot, reframe the bridge above or below the first one, creating what looks like two different bridges (usually zooming out a bit to change the scale of that bridge) layered on top of one another. I love the colors, I love the simplicity to the shots despite the timing and set up for each one. Waiting to find the next event, person, or animal to come across my frame. It was a lot of fun. I started to incorporate what I learned into my work, for example, concert photography.
I didn’t stop there, recently I took some portrait photos at a photography meet up, and these were the results.
These three shots played off of one photo being in focus and the next shot being a little or totally out of focus, creating this dreaming look to it all in camera. I adjusted the colors a bit in post, but all the work was done on the spot there in the studio. It’s something that’s really grown to love. Like I said, you have to be creative in the moment to get your next shot, you may. have not idea how that’s going to turn out, but it’s been so much fun to play with and experiment with.
Tom, without realizing it, unlocked this new world for myself, a new way to keep things fresh. After seven years of photography, I’m still discovering new ways to create and make art with a camera. His style definitely influenced the way I take photos - though my shots aren’t always in multiple exposures, its a different approach on how to view the world and the subjects that live within it, and for that, I’m grateful. Go check out his work, I’ve had a few conversations with him and he’s such a kind, talented, creative dude.
Street Photography by Tom Baumgaertel
Tom’s Instagram: @bewaremyfuji