Let’s be honest. I have a super cool job and it’s even cooler when I get to try new things, new things like a Tilt Shift Lens. I rented one for the weekend from Lens Pro to Go in Concord, MA.
If you’re interested in Tilt Shifts definitely read up on them and they’re crazy ability to take the plane of focus and put it where you want it. This wiki article will get you started: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_photography
I worked with Large Format View Cameras through my time at Hallmark. And yes we were still shooting film, 4×5 chromes, standing under a black sheet, looking at the inverted image with a loop on ground glass and finally pressing the plunger after hours of metering light and fussing with the focusing (which was paper thin even at f8!). Those were the days….. not so much anymore. I’m digital and I shoot fast. Shoot fast because I don’t have hours to create a single image (at a wedding I’ll get 5 minutes to shoot all the family formals when the schedules running late – That kind of FAST).
But the tilt shift lens technology takes that plane of focus control and puts it on my 35mm digital camera body. Now there’s a proper way to use these lenses. Architectural photographers use them to remove the distortion and control perspective when photographing buildings. There’s also a trend of using the lens to create a wonky, unnatural look, dreamlike even. It can turn big landscapes into these miniature diorama scenes.
The thing you have to remember is that these photos aren’t photoshopped.
So here’s my first go at it (and then some images at the end that were just photographing some fresh spring raindrops)
This first shot is of Andrea of Servidone Studios. Friend and photographer, she modeled a bit.
Busting out this killer ballet move while shooting at Mt Auburn Cemetery.
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This is actually using the functions of the shifting to get the face of the card into more focus.
(side note: this is a card I made for Ben, handpunched hearts glued to the card and I sewed and embroidered a fabric envelope.
It’s sickeningly adorable, right?)
These next ones, I was just playing with the raindrops…. laying on the ground in my yard. I’m pretty sure my neighbors thought I was a little nutso.
…or while intently photographing the windshield of my car.
Love me some Tilt shift; it’s quite fun!
Great post. Thanks for the shout out on my killer moves:)
Looks like you ladies had fun!:) I’m intrigued… I, like you, rocked the 4×6 and scheimpflug, now I kinda play with that idea digitally…. awesome images btw:)
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