Four Brothers Photograph???

nyoung · May 2, 2011

The attached photo post card was a souvnier from 1933 Chicago World's fair.
I see how this trick was done - four mirrors and some strategically placed black curtains.
My question is does anyone know if this was a live shot or done in some sort of an automated booth?
Did it have a name and was it done in other places - fairs, carnivals etc?
Or was this a one off set up just for the '33 World's Fair?

Rick A · May 3, 2011

If you look closely, you can see the seams from the first surface mirrors where they are butted together. This is a very repeatable effect, just need four large first surface mirrors to accomplish it. The camera position appears to be directly behind and square to the subject. You would have to play with the lighting set-up to avoid reflections and flair. My vote is for a live shot, as a novelty photo booth to send personalized post cards home to prove attendance.

jford · May 3, 2011

You only need two mirrors don't you? The reflections at the far right and far left are the first reflections, the inside ones facing us are the second reflections. My first guess is that the mirrors would be set at 72 degrees to each other, but I might be wrong.

J.

maarten m · May 3, 2011

i second jford's view.

mm

jford · May 3, 2011

not 72 degrees, probably 144 degrees.

vpwphoto · May 3, 2011

This is pretty fun. Actually isn't it 5 brothers?

Rick A · May 3, 2011

I think you may be correct, I studied the photo a little closer, and it probably is two long mirrors. And yes, it should be five brothers. This would be fun to reenact for an art show, just have to figure out fast processing like a photo booth.

And do not bring up the "D" word, this begs to be authentically reenacted for the era.

nyoung · May 3, 2011

You all are right it should be five not four but the man who sent this card wrote on the back "Me and my four brothers, enjoying first legal beer - Thanks, FDR

Sirius Glass · May 3, 2011

Would someone draw a picture of how the mirrors are set up?

Steve

mark · May 3, 2011

Just photo shop it

Rick A · May 3, 2011

mark said:
Just photo shop it

Refer to post #7, where I stated not to bring up the D crap.

vpwphoto · May 3, 2011

Rick A said:
Refer to post #7, where I stated not to bring up the D crap.

I agree... I do both, and doing it analog is so much more fulfilling, and I don't care what Epson or Apple say, for a one on one print to view digital doesn't cut it. For publishing via dot dithers, and screens sure, but not for continuous tone prints.
*** don't start talking about grain now***

swangga · Jul 20, 2011

I think it was five brothers right?

SkipA · Jul 20, 2011

vpwphoto said:
This is pretty fun. Actually isn't it 5 brothers?

swangga said:
I think it was five brothers right?

Well, it's written from the perspective of one person. Each image appears to have four identical brothers.

Sirius Glass · Jul 21, 2011

Sirius Glass said:
Would someone draw a picture of how the mirrors are set up?

Steve

Please post a drawing of the setup, I still cannot figure out how it was done!

StephanA · Jul 21, 2011

Actually, I believe it was done simply with two mirrors set up at 90 degrees, and shot from behind the only real person (whose back is toward the viewer) into the seam of the two mirrors (a 45 degree angle to the mirrors). I recently bought a mirrored corner cupboard to display crystal in and the effect is the same.

trexx · Jul 21, 2011

Sirius Glass said:
Please post a drawing of the setup, I still cannot figure out how it was done!

Take two mirrors like:
/\

and open them up slowly while looking in to them at some point your will see four images of your self. And a camera behind will see the five.

Sirius Glass · Jul 21, 2011

Thanks, trexx!

Steve

Four Brothers Photograph???

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