Lensbaby 2.0 and Learning New Gear

I purchased the Lensbaby 2.0 from Amazon after just looking for something new to add to my photo gear. I bought it on sale at amazon.com and am happy with being able to experiment with something new. While it comes with different drop-in apertures, I think the tendency for people to use wide apertures because they want a shallow depth of field. Of course, tilting the lens does not change the depth of field, but merely changes the focal plane. These two things will work against each other if one wants to maintain some focus in their image.

I really wish I had a couple grand to drop on a tilt-shift lens, but then again, right now, I'd rather have the new 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII Nikon. If you know anyone willing to trade one for a '73 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, which does need some work, let me know.

It has been exciting to see my progress, but I feel like there is even much more to learn in digital photography. I would love to have more gear only to have the ability to have more options. You cannot learn what a lens is able to do until you shoot with it. I am venturing out into new areas of photography and ordered a softbox and some radio triggers. I recently discovered Lighten Up and Shoot and really got inspired to start using off camera flash. I haven't done many portraits because I understand the techniques for lighting since I come from a video background, but didn't have the equipment nor do I have a grasp of strobes compared to WYSIWYG of video lighting. I cannot wait until I start taking some pictures with more control of light.

I have received positive comments on my photos. Although I have shot nearly 25,000 images so far, I believe around 400 have actually been seen by others. When I first started shooting, I could spend a couple hours, shoot 200 photos and not have a single one that really stood out. Now, there are still times when I just don't see anything too interesting and only fire off a few exposures just to see if I can find something that works. The forest photo below is after walking around for about an hour and not seeing anything, I wanted to look through a "new" lens and threw on the Lensbaby. I only took perhaps ten shots, but this stood out in my mind even before I looked through the viewfinder. I love that moment when things just click.

The following picture is one I took at Woodland Cemetery and first began to play around with the Lensbaby. I really like the effect. It's difficult to hold your camera still while pressing down on the shutter button. However, I think isolating my index finger has been instilled in me from firing off handguns as well as releasing your breath as you pull the trigger to open your shutter.



Lost in the Woods, Lensbaby 2.0 f/4, 1/125, ISO 100


Lensbaby f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 250