Multiple exposure photography, or double exposure photography, refers to a technique where the photographer intentionally (and sometimes unintentionally) superimposes two or more images on top of each other: Multiple images are exposed on the same frame of film.
It has been used as a creative device by film photographers for almost as long as the art form has existed. In the digital age, many new DSLR cameras include a multiple exposure function to emulate this effect in real time. Whether its on film or a digital sensor, the approach remains largely the same, as do the results.
It's important to distinguish multiple exposure photography (made in-camera) from the 'multiple exposure' technique in Photoshop. Neither is better or worse, but for me the spontaneity of capturing overlapping moments in real-time fuels my fascination with evoking something experiential; the feeling of a scene. Doing the same thing on a computer, having a thousand options of where to rationally and precisely overlap two images, always ends up killing the joy for me.
Because photography prints can be replicated endlessly – particularly since professional fine art printing has moved beyond the darkroom into the digital realm – a limited edition print is a way to ensure the relative uniqueness of an image. This can range from a single edition, to an edition of several hundred. The former is naturally more valuable than the latter.
Regardless, there are a finite number of prints that can ever exist, and the artist (or art gallery on their behalf) makes this guarantee. Limited edition prints are typically signed and numbered by the artist, and may include a certificate in instances where authenticity is paramount. For collectors, limited availability increases the relative value of the print, and so its price might even increase progressively as the edition draws towards its end. Beyond the big auction houses, there is some satisfaction for the everyday collector in knowing that they have something special and rare in their home.
From the artist's perspective, setting a limit on the number of prints made signals an intention to create something of value; a work of art. Living as we do in a non-stop stream of photographic images, the act of elevating a single one of these to the status of a desirable artwork requires the artist to bring it into physical existence, and establish its relative worth.
I sell my images in editions of 30 – 15 large, and 15 small. Once these 30 prints have been sold, they will remain unavailable forever. This excludes 2 'Artist's Proofs' (APs) of each image, which I retain for my personal estate in case an edition does sell out, and (where applicable) one edition reserved for the first purchaser of the NFT version.
After any years of printing an exhibiting my work, I have fallen in love with the way my photographs appear on etching paper. This textured, non-reflective 'photo rag' elevates the image to a space where photography and painting blur, unlike the glossy prints most of us associate with photography. In my quest for the perfect paper, I've been happiest with, Hahnemühle German Etching – objectively one of the finest papers available, for art gallery quality.
That said, I am open to customising your print if you have a specific paper or material in mind. Please get in touch to discuss any requests.
I print my photography on two standard sizes: Large (approx. 90cm x 60cm), and Small (approx. 50cm x 33cm). This includes a slim white border for a signature, and handling. Custom sizes are available upon request – including extra large prints, and even wallpapers. Please get in touch to discuss these options.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are a relatively new phenomenon trickling into public discourse around the world, and the playbook is being written in real-time. There's a ton of information to be absorbed, but amongst many artists and collectors, they are the most exciting development since... well, maybe ever. The impact they are poised to make in many aspects of our life, including but not limited to all forms of art, cannot be overstated or underestimated (in my opinion).
In the context of my work, they might be thought of as digital equivalents of limited edition prints. As opposed to existing on paper, the image exists entirely in the virtual space, or metaverse. Which isn't strange if you consider that – whether its a digital photo or a digital scan of a film negative – the original source of the image is in a digital format. A print is merely a physical token of the source material, underwritten by a paper document or a signature; sometimes merely a verbal agreement. In my attempt to bridge the gap in understanding the value, I typically offer my photography work in very limited editions (between 1 and 5), and offer a physical print to the first purchaser of each NFT, as an incentive: you get the NFT to collect and get involved in this space (hopefully accruing some value too), and a gloriously vivid print of your artwork to hang on the wall. The ability to add unlockable content like this has endless potential for artists to add value for collectors in interesting ways.
With NFTs, a limited number of editions (from 1 to 1000s) are 'minted' – i.e uploaded and registered on a blockchain, with an underlying Smart Contract that guarantees its rarity (e.g. edition of 5) with more authority than any paper contract from even the most prestigious art gallery in the world could ever claim. The blockchain is immutable, and transparent – every edition, and its trading history, can be viewed by anyone at any time. Moreover, on most NFT marketplaces, the artist receives a commission on all secondary sales. The ability to easily buy, sell, and trade art is one of the major appeals of NFTs for collectors and artists alike.
So it's an iron-clad certificate of authenticity, and a collector's item... but it's also a digital print of the artwork. You can keep it in your phone, or on your desktop, or in a digital frame. It will never fade, crack, warp, or need a wipe-down. In the very near future (i.e right now amongst the BitCoin millionaire crowd) ultra high definition screens will replace picture frames in the home, and your digital art collection will rotate at intervals of your choosing. Galleries will go this way. Perhaps bars and clubs too. Maybe they'll begin to merge. People will trade art at the touch of a button in a global marketplace. Our homes in the metaverse will be decorated with NFT art. That's all happening right now by the way.
None of this will replace 'traditional' art forms. There is simply an entirely new dimension to play in now.
There's so much potential – pitfalls too, undoubtedly – and so much to be said on this topic. I look forward to writing more about NFTs on my blog. For now I have some useful links you can read to learn more... after which I'd encourage you to take a look at some of the NFTs I have available to collect ;)
Yes I do, at a baseline rate of ZAR 950.
Unfortunately, the South African postal service isn't very reliable for overseas deliveries – made worse with the ripple effects of lockdown. Because of this, I use international courier services like DHL or FedEx, depending where in the world you are. Rates and delivery times vary from region to region, so I would encourage you to email me if you're ordering from outside South Africa, and I'll work out the best option for you before finalising your order.
Because I print each edition on demand, I cannot replace an artwork if you change your mind after placing your order. I guarantee immaculate production quality, and check every print in the art gallery before I sign and ship it. However, if you feel the photography print is sub-standard in any way, or of it arrives damaged, please contact me and I'll make a plan to keep you a happy customer.
All my prints are sold unframed, but I am always open to consulting on framing with customers. For South African customers, I do offer framing as a service, leveraging some great contacts at reasonable prices. In these instances, I charge 20% of the framing production cost for consultation and administration – excluding the additional delivery cost.
Having previously owned a photographic art gallery, and framed hundreds of my photography prints over the years, I have some great framing ideas to really maximise the impact of the artwork, and make it suit its environment perfectly. In my view, framing is the final touch of the completed artwork. Considered framing can bathe a print in glory!
Please get in touch if you'd like to explore framing options with your order.
Both – it depends what you're looking for. I work from a large, bright photography studio in the Cape Town CBD, but if you'd prefer an outdoors/location shoot we'll need to discuss which environment suits the shoot best. I have a great list of forest, mountain, beach, and ocean locations in and around Cape Town, to keep travel time to minimum.
Definitely. I love shooting couples, families, and groups as much as I love shooting individual portraits. Rates are the same for both.
This varies depending on the duration of the shoot, the extent of the editing/retouching you'd like, and the number of final images you'd like to receive.
As a guideline (for 2021), you can expect to pay around ZAR3 000.00 for a 1-2 hour photography shoot, which includes the delivery of 10 final edited images. In my experience, shooting longer than this becomes a drag – I prefer to work quickly and keep the energy up! I typically shoot fairly natural portraits, but can easily arrange make-up and/or styling at an additional cost, which I'll quote on request.
I can also arrange for your favourite image(s) to be printed and/or framed for posterity. We could even mint it as an NFT on the blockchain.