Meet the new Edge 80 from Lensbaby!

Just when you think Craig Strong has already invented the most creative optics possible, he does it again! This morning, Lensbaby announced a new optic, the Edge 80. I was lucky enough to beta test this optic last fall, and it's amazing! This little gem is 80mm, and creates a new and different effect. Instead of the current sweet spot of focus found in Lensbaby's previous selective focus optics, this optic creates a slice of focus through the image, similar to a traditional tilt-shift lens. When pointed straight ahead, everything in the same focal plane will be in focus, so you can use it as you would a straight lens. You can tilt the lens body to the side for a vertical slice of focus, up or down for a horizontal slice, or diagonally for a diagonal slice. The size of the slice is controlled with aperture selection, done with a twist of the barrel as with the newer Sweet 35 optic, with apertures from f/2.8 to f/22.There's even a built in extension tube on the front of the optic, pulling it out allows you to move in even closer. Adding the Macro Converters will get you closer still.

You can see Edge 80 videos here.

It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you understand what those various movements can do, I know you'll fall in love with the Edge as I have! Here are some of my test photos:

                                         
Happy Shooting!
Kathleen

Lensbaby Macro Converters

On Thursday, Lensbaby announced their new Macro Converters, so I can share some of the beta test images I did for them. The new Macro Converters will allow Lensbaby shooters using the adjustable Sweet 35 optic to get in even closer and shoot macro, which makes that optic even more appealing.  Because the converters act somewhat like extension tubes, you can use them with all of the other optics as well, and even combine them with the Macro Kit diopters to really move in close to your subjects.  Here are some new images I made with the Sweet 35 optic and Macro Converters:

I can definitely recommend adding this new accessory to your lensbaby collection!

I did a new interview for Lensbaby last week too, you can read it here.

Happy Shooting!
Kathleen

Big City Visit

     Those of you who know me well know that I am just not a city person. The town I live in doesn't even have a traffic light, and that's fine with me! City traffic makes me nervous, and I'm just used to lots of space around me. As a nature photographer, cities are not on my shootlist. So, when a group of photo friends suggested a trip to Boston last month, I thought it would be a great challenge for me. Moving out of your comfort zone is always a good thing for a photographer, and I do love a challenge!

We had a great trip, and were befriended by a sweet man in Chinatown who became our guide around the area and also brought us to a wonderful restaurant for lunch. This is Freddie, posing for me.

It was fun to wander around the city with no particular subjects in mind.

I am generally drawn to curves in my subjects, but the strong, bold lines of the city made for great subjects, and I loved the patterns, shapes, reflections and lines I saw in the buildings.

And of course I found some nature to shoot!

My favorite shots were taken in a train station, I do love to play with shutter speed and blur!

We stated until sunset, and headed home with tired feet, full memory cards, and fun memories of the day.

So, when you have the chance to shoot something outside your comfort zone, grab it! You really can find something to shoot anywhere you go.


Happy Shooting!
Kathleen

Less Can Be More

Sometimes less is more...

Photographers are often advised to move closer to their subjects in order to fill the image frame because too much negative space around a subject will lesson the photo’s impact. This rule works well when what you are trying to say is expressed primarily through your point of interest. But it doesn’t work if what you are trying to say is expressed by a relationship between your subject and the surrounding space. 

For example, if you are shooting an animal, you may want to back up and show habitat, or the environment of a particular flower, or it's relationship to other flowers. You may want to use a small subject with a large surrounding area to show scale and help to define that subject. When shooting a portrait, you might want to show the person’s environment too. So, the size of your subject in the frame should be determined by what you are trying to say, the story you want to tell, not by any rule! If in doubt, shoot your subject both ways, work it! 

 Here are some examples of photos I've made where I didn't choose to fill the frame. Try this the next time you are out shooting. Be sure that your subject is strong enough visually for this type of composition, and that the environment you are including adds to the scene.

Happy Shooting!

Kathleen

Photographing Autumn Color

    It's late September, and here on the coast of Maine I have already seen a few trees starting to show their autumn colors. Fall is my favorite season, I love shooting this time of year. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you are photographing fall foliage.

Check on-line foliage reports to find the best autumn colors in the area you'll be shooting. 

Shoot early in the morning and late in the day for warm light, avoiding contrasty mid-day lighting. If the day is overcast, you can shoot all day! Blue skies are beautiful, but cloudy days will saturate those gorgeous colors. Just don't include that white sky in your composition, fill the frame with color. 

I like early morning shooting best, morning mist can add wonderful mood and dew on the leaves is great for macro work.  Bring your polarizer along to eliminate any glare on the leaves and boost color. 

As with all of your photos, watch for distractions that do not add to the scene. Look carefully around the frame before you click that shutter. As my students frequently hear me say, "If it doesn't add, it needs to go."  Eliminate anything that doesn't add to the story you want to tell with your photo.


Shoot from wide to macro, work your subjects!

Look up for backlit leaves....

 Look down for reflected colors in streams, ponds, puddles and on any reflective surface. 

I shot this one on the hood of a car!

Don't be afraid to make your own scenes. Adding that one perfect autumn leaf to a composition can add a wonderful focal point.

If it's windy, embrace that wind and shoot with a long shutter for a more abstract look.

Moving water with a long shutter speed creates an interesting look as well.

If it's not windy, you can play with camera movement instead. Pan, zoom, swirl and twirl, move that camera with a long shutter, it's fun!

Happy shooting!

Kathleen