Freelensing tutorial
So, I’ve been wanting to try out this new photography trick called “freelensing.” It appears that a photographer named Luke Roberts came up with the technique. What it basically is, is actually taking the lens loose from you camera while take a picture. Think of it as kind of like a really cheap way of getting a tilt-shift effect, like you might get with a lensbaby.
A few things you might want to have handy to make this a more enjoyable experience:
- Tripod
- An older manual lens. I use an old 50mm.
- Something to clean your sensor (because it will get dirty).
One note of caution, your sensor will get dirty doing this. So, be prepared to clean it before your next big shoot.
In case you’re stuck at work, or in another spot that makes watching the video sorta difficult I’ll go over a few things to note about trying this out.
First, like in the list above, it seems to be easier to make this work with an older manual lense, something with a large apeture. You also don’t need to move the lens around very much, just slightly will usually give the desired effect. I’ve also found it easier to do with a tripod, though I’ve gotten better with practice and can do some of this now without always needing three hands.
So, on with the show! Watch the tutorial below. And leave me feedback with links to your own experiments with this technique.
If you've got the extra coin you might want to check out some deals on Amazon for Lensbaby tilt-shift lenses. They offer all the tricks and more for a freelensing effect. Without the dirty sensor!
Lensbaby The Composer for Canon EF mount Digital SLR Cameras
Lensbaby The Composer for Nikon F mount Digital SLR Cameras
Lensbaby The Composer for Nikon F mount Digital SLR Cameras
