Four Brothers Photograph???

[nyoung]

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]

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]

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]

i second jford's view.

mm

 

[jford]

not 72 degrees, probably 144 degrees.

 

[vpwphoto]

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

 

[Rick A]

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]

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]

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

Steve

 

[mark]

Just photo shop it

 

[Rick A]

Just photo shop it

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

 

[vpwphoto]

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]

I think it was five brothers right?

 

[SkipA]

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

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]

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]

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]

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]

Thanks, trexx!

Steve