Curves are a compelling way to lead the eye through a photograph. They have the capacity to pull the vision and direct the storytelling in a unique way. They also tend to add both a sense of movement and calm.
Nature has the most glorious curves. What do you think?
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented Sharleen of Sharleen Stuart Photography Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity.
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Curves” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_curves. A new theme will be posted on May 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases).
While many of my images have a small slice of selected focus I have not captured a purposefully “out of focus” image in a while. Love how this theme shifted my vision and added to the storytelling of a recent visit to the historical Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore, MD.
The glass and steel walls, my son’s movements and exploration, the balance of light and life.
Why choose Out of Focus images?
Storytelling
When an image does not have a clear focus point it lends itsself to a depth of storytelling. It leaves the viewer to fill in the blank of what their eye and mind envision is occurring in and through the frame. The captivating quality takes one on a personal journey beyond the photograph into their imagination.
Mystery
Often an out of focus image relies more on what is unseen than what is seen. The blur sets up a framework and setting but the lack of clarity leads one to wonder. This curiosity engages the viewer to invest and dwell in the image.
Bokeh
One word: bokeh. The little pockets of light are often amplified when shooting into the light source with an out of focus image. These magical little dots give a sense of energy and vibrance that can further spark emotion in the viewer.
Release “Perfection“
As a photographer capturing out of focus images enables you to release the rules. When you are not concerned about achieving that “perfect focus” your mind is free to expand your creativity.
The next time you have a few moments with your camera I encourage you to free yourself to shift to manual focus and explore how capturing an out of focus image will enhance your storytelling and engage your viewer in compelling ways.
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented Arthurko of LupJi Photography Please click HERE for his interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity.
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Out of Focus” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_outoffocus. A new theme will be posted on March 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases).
I’ve always admired and been fascinated by painters – you know, the famous ones that are displayed in museums yet also the local ones with whom I’m connected. While my paintbrush skills are significantly lacking, I find myself drawn to achieving this effect in my photography. I create in this manner through a variety of in-camera creative techniques (I’m the first one to admit my post-processing skills are not stellar!) My go-to method is through using Lensbaby optics, lenses, and tools combined with other unique techniques to create the effect.
Double Exposure
Do you want to add a sense of movement or element of wonder? Try out an in-camera double exposure. Try a close up with a pulled back element of the same image. Try layering an out-of-focus image of bokeh lights or intentional camera movement with a portrait or bloom. Lensbaby’s options for both crisp and dreamy images create a perfect combination for stacking images to add a depth to the story. The possibilities are truly endless.
Texture
Lensbaby offers a variety of methods by which to add texture to your images. Some of their optics (in the Optic Swap System with the Composer Pro II or Spark bodies) include magnetic drop-in discs that fit in front of the lens and are secured with magnets. These discs are in various shapes such as a swirl, sunburst, star or flying birds to name a few. Through using these, the areas in the background that are lit become rich and painterly. Try it out with the Soft Focus II, Double Glass II, and Creative Bokeh Optics!
Lensbaby also has a great OMNI set that includes reflectors that are large enough to place entirely (or mostly) over the lens. Again this creates a background with lines or pops of light giving a painterly, marvel-filled vibe.
Intentional Camera Movement
When the colors and lines grab your attention (and it’s not TOO bright), slow your shutter speed down significantly (like 1/10th second or slower). You may also need to decrease your ISO and increase your apeerture number in order to balance the amount of light. As you click the shutter, move your camera throughout the scene: side to side, diagonally, vertically, swooping. The sky’s the limit!
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented Arthurko of LupJi Photography Please click HERE for his interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity.
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Painterly” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_painterly. A new theme will be posted on February 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases).
If you follow my photography it will be no surprise to you that using a shallow depth of field is the primary method by which I approach my art. Through having only a bit of the image in crisp focus, I find the mystery and movement, the background texture and light telling stories with depth and wonder.
Here’s an example with one subject and one lens and the various feels one can create.
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented and creative Katherine of Cobert Photography Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Shallow Depth of Field” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_shallowdepthoffield. A new theme will be posted on December 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases).
I believe that existing beauty and emotion can be elicited in any light. This particular evening I had the opportunity to spend in a gorgeous dahlia garden as the golden sun set.
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented and creative Jan of Wired to the Moon. Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Beautiful Light” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_beautifullight. A new theme will be posted on October 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases).
Our blog circle opted to open it up to our choice for July’s theme. Seems fitting for the middle of the year and the more free schedule of summertime. Speaking of, we just spent a few days in Holden Beach, NC. My kids hadn’t been to the ocean in 5 years so it was a special treat for them to experience the surf and treasures that washed ashore. (Ok, so it was fun for me too!) I was particularly struck with the colors and lines and textures and reflections. And the balance of unpredictable predictability. The waves will crash. But how hard, when, and where are the variables. The sun will rise and set but the colors experienced are beautifully unique.
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented and creative Sharleen of Sharleen Stuart Photography. Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Your Choice” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_yourchoice. A new theme will be posted on August 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases). Lensbaby is currently having an epic sale with 23% off and my code is stackable for a total of 33% discount – WOWOWOW!!!
I’ve always admired painters. Of particular interest to me are the Impressionists who took natural scenes and magically transformed them into a dream. They allow for imagination remaining full of depth and texture and light. While my painting skills, well, let’s just say, have something to be desired! I’ve discovered methods by which to enhance my photographs to incorporate some of the elements of painters. One of those is “shooting through”. This technique involves placing an object in front of the camera lens between the lens and the subject. My “go to” objects are the creative and innovative parts of the LensbabyOMNI system.
The next 2 images were created with the “Paddle” from the *NEW* OMNI Expansion Pack with Shapes. The background and bokeh transform into brush strokes.
The next image was with the Snaggle. The rays of circular light add a mysterious yet intriguing layer.
The Rainbow filter has become a “go to” when I desire to add a bit of subtle color.
With the Long Swiss Cheese in front of the Double Glass II, layers of light emerged.
Check out my YouTube video for more examples of the variety you can create while Shooting Through.
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented and creative Sharleen of Sharleen Stuart Photography. Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Shooting Through” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_shootingthrough. A new theme will be posted on June 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases). Here’s where you can check out further their NEW OMNI Expansion Pack with Shapes.
While I tend to shoot close up images all year round, springtime is one of my favorite seasons for focusing on the details. Capturing elements of newness, anticipation, emerging color all inspire me to kneel in the dirt and zoom in to the wonder unfolding.
All images captured in my mother’s garden. ❤
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented and creative Jan of Wired to the Moon. Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Macro” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_macro. A new theme will be posted on May 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases). Speaking of, Lensbaby just brought to the market an amazing new optic, the Double Glass II – check it out!
Thankfully my camera (a Canon 5D Mark III) has the capability for in-camera double exposures (because, honestly, I’m horrific at Photoshop, my other double exposure option).
This process involves taking a photograph and then taking another photograph over top of it. It adds elements of layering and depth but perhaps my favorite aspect is the mystery. The viewer is never quite sure exactly what he or she is seeing which pulls the viewer to dwell with and explore the image.
Naturally the subjects are as endless, as you can imagine, but I find myself particularly drawn to nature and light for this technique.
Main image taken with the new Lensbaby Double Glass II optic (the layered image with the Lensbaby Edge 35 reverse freelensed).
I combined these two images to create the one below.
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented and creative Jan of Wired to the Moon. Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Double Exposure” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_doubleexposure. A new theme will be posted on April 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website! (Not valid on new releases). Speaking of, Lensbaby just brought to the market an amazing new optic, the Double Glass II – check it out!
Would you like to learn more about creative photography techniques? I’m teaming up with Regina Boston of RMBPhotography for a unique in-person photography workshop in historic Harpers Ferry, WV. Spots are limited – grab yours today! CLICK HERE for all of the details!
Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) is a photography technique where you slow the shutter speed (so that the shutter is open longer than typically) and while it is open you move the camera. Typically I begin with horizontal or vertical movements but you truly can move in any way (circles, diagonally for example). I usually choose a scene that already has lines and/or textures that will enhance the feel of the scene. One other hint is to close down your aperture (like f/16) in order to balance the exposure. Give it a try and enjoy creating! Without further adieu…
Sunsets/sunrises are a perfect time for ICM with the subdued light and brilliant colors
And here is the iPhone version of this scene which I captured in the CVS parking lot with the Lensbaby Velvet 85.
For this one I moved the camera in a circular motion for a swirl effect.
As I was getting ready to hop back in the car I noticed the sunset reflecting off my car hood, so, of course, I created some abstract art. 🙂
This is the scene.
During the winter months, another subject I like to try is the plants in my home (or fresh flowers if I happen to have them).
This is the actual scene.
One of my other preferred subjects to capture ICM is water.
And here is the actual scene.
I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Next up is the talented and creative Kristina of Hello Olivia Photography. Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your “Intentional Camera Movement” images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_intentionalcameramovement. A new theme will be posted on March 6th.
I’m honored to be a Lensbaby Ambassador. Please ask any questions you might have and use my code wwillson for 10% off their website!
Would you like to learn more about ICM? I’m teaming up with Regina Boston of RMBPhotography for a unique in-person photography workshop in historic Harpers Ferry, WV. Spots are limited – grab yours today! CLICK HERE for all of the details!
It's Still Life Photography by Elizabeth Willson 