Edinburgh, multiple exposure

Category

Library Item

Item no

3522

Title

Edinburgh, multiple exposure

Description

An unusual image created by multiple exposures of images of Edinburgh. The picture shows buildings in the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle, National Gallery and Free Church College along with horse-drawn carts.

Artist / maker

Keith, Thomas

Date

1856

Type

Paper negative

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This is probably the earliest example of the photographic technique of 'multiple exposure', in which a negative is exposed more than once to create a composite image. It seems unlikely, if not impossible, that Keith could have created this photograph in error as the negative has been exposed at least four, and possibly as many as seven times. Furthermore the piece is too balanced, too well structured to simply be an accident, or some kind of test. The viewer is presented with an intriguing pastiche of Edinburgh, within which Victorian landmarks and intimate street detail jostle for prominence.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Culture > Galleries

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.