Lensbaby is a company that manufactures a range of camera lenses that combine simple lenses with ball-socket mechanisms that allow the photographer to achieve a range of special photographic effects -- the most marked of which is a focused image surrounded by blurred boundaries, thus drawing the eye to a focal point but providing a sense of surroundings. The company was founded by Craig Strong out of his disappointment at the range of lenses on the market at the time. Lensbaby lenses can be used in most cameras that handle interchangeable lenses. There are four main types of Lensbaby lenses: Muse, Composer, Control Freak and Scout.
Movement
Lensbaby lenses do not shoot movement very well, so shooting stationary objects produces much better results and allows the full effect of Lensbaby lenses to be utilized. Shooting stationary objects allows the Lensbaby to focus on the particular point desired by the photographer, thus drawing the eye toward it while the dreamy effect of the Lensbaby can provide a sense of movement.
Light
Nighttime can be a good time to use Lensbaby lenses and can result in a variety of creative images. There are normally various lights and colors present at nighttime that can produce fascinating streaks and blurs in conjunction with Lensbaby lenses. Traffic and cityscapes can create a sense of urban excitement and action with human focal points surrounded by blurring lights. Neon lights, shop, bar and restaurant frontages -- with the Lensbaby all can provide a sense of life, color and action pertaining to urban nightscapes.
Patience
Taking photographs using Lensbaby lenses will provide a new shooting experience, so expect to take time and make mistakes before gaining satisfying results. The Lensbaby can be tricky to maneuver and hold in place, so take the time to get to know the vagaries and behavior of the equipment. Shoot with it often and try different things, and eventually you will come to understand the Lensbaby's creative potential.
Think
Take the time to think about the composition of your photo. With the Lensbaby, there will be a clear focal point and its characteristic blurry area, so you need to decide what you will be focusing on in regard to your subject matter and what part you wish to form the unfocused perimeter.
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