Dave Black Photography

“Aspen Turn”...(Main Image) #Nikon #Z8, ISO1600, 1/800 at f11, #NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens, WB 8000K...LIGHTPAINTING using the ProTac HL-X LED flashlight made by: Streamlight... @sandisk

LIGHTPAINTING & OVERLAYING MY FALL COLLECTION:
Here is a quick step-by-step REVIEW of how to use Nikon’s OVERLAY feature.

This #NikonZ8 picture of a tiny Aspen leaf is actually a Triple-Exposure OVERLAY produced in-camera. The multiple-exposure OVERLAY feature is found in the RETOUCH MENU of most Nikon DSLR cameras and in all of the Nikon Z mirrorless cameras.

In-Camera TRIPPLE-EXPOSURE:
IMAGE 1...Main Image...is a LIGHTPAINTING of a tiny Aspen leaf just beginning to turn Yellow. The previous night rain followed by thick morning mist/fog by the lake left everything soaked...Perfect for Macro details.

Using a ProTac HL-X single LED flashlight of 1,000 Lumens I illuminated only a single leaf, which left the background/other leaves underexposed to complete darkness. This “Dark or “EMPTY” space will allow Image 2.

IMAGE 3...These Teal&Pink leaves were captured last week and will “BLEED” through the Dark-Empty Space during the OVERLAY process. My Teal&Pink image is a slow 1/8 second Pan of my neighbor’s hedge at WB 3030K.

IMAGE 3...Blue Streaks...is also a slow shutter speed Pan of my other neighbors Blue Spruce tree...at 1 second, WB 2500K. I just panned the camera back and forth 6-7 times until I had a single image of sweeping Blue streaks. Now I combine this Image 3 with the double-exposure OVERLAY of Image 1. Aspen leaf and Image 2. Teal&Pink leaves.

FINAL IAMGE:
IMAGE 4...is the completed Triple-Exposure made In-Camera using the Z8 OVERLAY feature. I love this picture as it appears as though the wet/saturated pre-dawn air is dripping all over the Aspen leaf.

*My NEW book: “Lightpainting Magic” is expected to be released in time for Christmas 2026.