Multiple exposure, or multiple printing are procedures that, 
with a little practice,  allow the making of some very impressive 
pictures.

Most modern cameras,  including compact types, are equipped with
a multiple exposure device.  This is due to the electronic nature
of these  cameras  making it quite easy to cock the  shutter 
without winding on the film.

Looking at the use of a camera first - it will be found 
difficult to make much use of the device on a compact due to the 
relatively inaccurate viewfinder.  Positioning of the subject
matter is  crucial.

I use a ruled screen in an SLR when intending to do multiple
exposures,  and  it is best to PLAN to do them !.  The  ruled 
screen, whilst not obligatory,  is a great help in positioning
the different elements of a picture. It can only be of use if
the camera has interchangeable viewing screens of course.

The effect is also generally more predictable if the background
of each  element is BLACK.  This means that only the subject 
appears each time the shutter is pressed, the image then being
re-composed and exposed onto a previously unexposed area of the
film.

For example,  a person,  against a black background can be 
photographed talking to themselves !


Set  the camera up on a good,  solid tripod and arrange the 
first element.  Light it and compose carefully, using a master
sketch if that  helps - it often does.  Make the first exposure
with the  ME device set. The shutter will cock, but the film not
move.

Replace the subject as necessary, re-compose and light,  then
make the second exposure. Continue until all elements are added,
resetting  the ME device before the last exposure to wind on to 
a new frame.

Hope for the best !

This can also be done with a slide copier,  where different
slides are  photographed using ME.  You could also put 2 suitable 
slides into the SAME mount,  then copy in the copying device to
produce a single slide of the `sandwich`. That can fool a judge !


DARKROOM ..... There are many possibilities at the printing
stage. As with slides, 2 or more negatives can be put in the
enlarger together, and be printed as if they were one.

Pictures  can be shot against strong WHITE backgrounds -  the 
opposite of in the camera - prints being made in turn onto the 
same piece  of paper - the strong white areas will remain
unexposed  on the paper.

A sketch to work to,  full size and placed under the enlarger 
as necessary  can be a great help here - the red safety swing 
filter being used to prevent paper exposure whilst setting up.

Negatives can be printed whilst areas of the paper are masked
from light  by a gently moving piece of card/cotton wool/Blu-tak 
on  a wire.  The  movement gives a graduated edge from  exposed 
to  unexposed.  Other images can then be added and blended into
the unexposed areas.

Imagination is the only necessary skill ! - well, not quite !