In Camera Multiple Exposures

Prague's Old Town Square

Multiple Exposure Mode

Owners of the Canon EOS 5d Mark III, EOS 1d-X and the EOS 6d not only have full frames to play with, they also have the ability to enable an in-camera multiple exposure mode. For most, the ability to merge photos is as simple as opening Photoshop and layering the images. Yet, some photographers (like me) choose not to use Photoshop, leaving their post-processing capabilities drastically limited.

Buildings of Sapporo, Japan

How To Enable Multiple Exposure Mode 

To enable the multiple exposure mode on your Canon EOS 6D, follow these three simple steps:
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1) Press the "menu" button on the back of your DSLR and navigate to the fourth tab in the settings menu

2) Scroll down and highlight the multiple exposure setting and press "set."
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3) Highlight the number of exposures you wish to use and again press "set."

Internal Multiples for used for studio work

There is one major idiosyncrasy to be aware of when shooting internal multiples on the Canon system. While the mode is very engaging (even addictive), photographers must make each of their exposures count. While you can select the primary exposure to layer,
Canon EOS models do not allow you to select all of the images that you wish to merge. For example, you cannot set your DSLR to overlay image numbers 2, 3 and 6 of a 7 image multiple exposure.  With this said, the only way to perfect the Canon internal multiple system is to patiently practice.

Regardless of what you choose to shoot, the multiple exposure mode on select Canon EOS DSLR models can expand your photographic possibilities. Better yet, the mode offers a tiny taste of what Photoshoppers have been doing for years without forcing you to spend a second of additional time in post-processing. 

Artistic option for couple's portraiture