PROJECT 01
USE A LENSBABY MACRO
Macro isn't just about sharpness: soft and dreamy effects are cool too
It's true that the majority of macro photography involves the pursuit of maximum sharpness and detail, but subjects such as flowers can also work well with a softer, ethereal treatment. It's possible to get great impressionistic effects with just enough sharp features to enable the viewer to recognise the subject. The obvious way to create an image with limited sharpness is to use a wide aperture to restrict depth of field, and while this works very well, using a Lensbaby (www.lensbaby.com) can add an extra element. In essence a Lensbaby is like a tilt-shift lens, because it bends the path of light. But unlike a tilt-shift lens, which has a linear sharp zone, a Lensbaby has a sharp(ish) circle or sweet spot surrounded by blur, which can be moved around the image frame.
LENSBABY COMPOSER
The easiest Lensbaby to use is the Composer, which has a ball-and-socket design. Unlike the concertina-style Muse Lensbaby, the sweet spot (which simply refers to the sharpest spot, in the middle of the lens) stays exactly where you position it.
All current Lensbabies consist of two parts: the barrel and the optical insert. There are a selection of optics available to achieve different effects, but we used the Double Glass Optic here because it has the sharpest sweet spot. Normally. the Lensbaby Composer's closest focus distance is around 46cm, but with the Macro kit this can be reduced to as little as 2.5cm. The kit consists of two screw-in close-up lenses (+4 and +10) with a diameter of 37mm, which may be used separately or together.
Esta historia es de la edición March 16, 2023 de Photography week.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 16, 2023 de Photography week.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
FUJINON GF120MM F4 MACRO R LM OIS WR
This powerful medium-format lens is ideally suited to extreme close-ups
HOW TO...CLEAN UP A SCENE WITH AI
James Paterson shows you how the AI-powered Remove Tool can revolutionise your retouching
SHOOT AN '80S PORTRAIT
Jason Parnell-Brookes recreates the neon look of the 1980s using torches and hollow acrylic rods
THE BEST MONOCHROME IMAGE OF 2024 IS A REAL CRACKER
Black and White Photo Awards announces stunning selection of winning images
88 TIPS FOR GREAT BABY PHOTOS
From lighting to posing and pacifying, here's how you get the perfect shot
THE NEW HERO13 BLACK HAS MAGNETIC APPEAL
GoPro's latest flagship arrives with new mount options and new Lens Mods
HOW TO...USE THE BEAUTY OF SOLARIZATION
James Paterson shows you how to recreate the classic darkroom effect in Affinity Photo, and use a variety of tonal tricks to perfect the look
GOPRO HERO12 BLACK
An excellent action camera - and a powerful tool for editors
VANISHING ACT
Mike Harris demonstrates a cunning trick to help you remove the crowds when shooting popular and busy locations
HERE'S A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME FROM WPOTY 2024
Leading wildlife photography contest reveals highly commended images