I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. – Pablo Picasso
FOCUS: Technique (Using a lens in a new way)
I’ve been wanting to try freelensing for a while. This technique basically involves taking photos with your lens not firmly mounted on the camera. The result is a picture with a very limited focal range – similar to that achieved with a Lensbaby. This technique can lead to images with a beautiful dreamlike quality to them. Seeing that I tried photographing with my filter removed from my camera yesterday, I thought today I’d try removing the whole lens.
The results? Well, they are ‘okay’ – a grade ‘C’ at best. The photos certainly are not the amazingly creative photos I’ve seen online, but they are also not your run-of-the-mill photos either. My biggest struggle was getting a full-frame photo without the curved line of the lens intersecting the image (see example above). I’ll have to do more research on what went wrong in that area. I have read that Nikons are pickier than Canons when it comes to freelensing, so maybe the problem was with the equipment – ha, ha. In reality, I just don’t know what I’m doing. But that’s okay. Just like Pablo Picasso, I am simply trying to do that which I cannot do, in order to learn how to do it…
This is a technique I will attempt again before the year is through.
Beth Poe :: FreeForm 