For many photographers, self-portraits seem too much hard work, and so shy away from them. Ultimately, I believe this can hinder your photo skills and creativity. Whether you find self-portrait photography hindering or liberating, its benefits are far-reaching. Adding that spice of using Lensbaby lenses opens the library doors to more knowledge, art, and a better photographic mindset.
Unlike most lenses you may have encountered, Lensbaby doesn't hand you easy. They wack into our palms a new direction, a new avenue, and art flow for your imagery. Each lens has its very own character and looks. Be it the twisty bokeh of the Twist 60, the starburst of their optic filters, or the soft movement of the Sol 45, each one takes basic and makes it extraordinary. The slightest movement can change a whole image and opens up more within each captured frame. You unleash the shutter into a galaxy of infinite captures.
I appreciate that the manual focus of Lensbaby can put you off using them for self-portrait images, and I would be a liar if I said I didn't also feel at some point. But who needs perfect? You don't make a choice for Lensbaby to have perfect. You wanted emotion, drama, delicate, power, and so much more. Focus can be deliberately unfocused for aesthetics or hyper-focused for the same reason. I have used light stands and trees to be 'me' while I set up focus in the past, but now, I have learned to get it 'kinda right' and MOVE. Breathe within the frame, step around the edges, and launch into the center. Lensbaby is never a center focus kind of brand. It's more off-Broadway theatre, fringe productions, and creative in the rawest forms. So let that feed into your imagery.
"Some of my best work as a self-portrait photographer has been at times when I have simply ‘forgotten’ the need for perfection and focused on the message."
Some of my best work as a self-portrait photographer has been at times when I have simply ‘forgotten’ the need for perfection and focused on the message. You cant shoot extraordinary if you merely toe the line and shoot ordinary. Think outside the box, and look beyond the focal plane.
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Be bold and shoot extraordinary! Make sure to tag your photos on IG with #Lensbaby, #ShootExtraordinary, and let us know what gear you’re using. 📸
Khandie Khisses
Khandie is a UK based award winning wedding and portrait photography. Always one to create the extraordinary out of the ordinary, Khandie loves providing her clients with imagery to really shout about and show off. With a rapidly growing social media following. Khandie is known for being direct, passionate and hilariously genuine. What you see is very much what you get.