Author Maxim Tourou / Category Architecture / Published: Apr-05-2018

Velvet 28, 56 & 85 all feature a built-in 1:2 macro capability. The minimum focus distance for Velvet 28 is 2 inches from the front of the lens, 5 inches for Velvet 56 and 9.5 inches for Velvet 85.

• The brighter the aperture you choose, the less depth of field you’ll have and the more glow you'll get. It can also be a little tough to see what's in focus beneath the glow at brighter apertures. If you’re having trouble focusing, simply stop down to f/4 or 5.6, focus, then open your aperture back up and shoot.
• If you're having trouble holding focus while getting close, pull out your tripod and then you can position the camera/lens exactly where you want it without worrying.
• Keep in mind that as you’re moving closer to your subject, depending on your light source, you may cast a shadow over it. Sometimes that’s desirable (for even lighting)and sometimes it’s not. Be aware of how you are placing yourself as you’re shooting your subject.

The Velvet lenses are ideal for capturing soulful and timeless portraits. While you can use any of the focal lengths to create stunning studio and environmental portraits - Velvet 56 & 85 are well suited to this genre of photography..

• The Velvet effect renders skin tones so beautifully that they often don't need to be touched in post.
• Try portraits at a range of apertures to determine how much or how little glow you want.

You can capture gorgeous landscapes and cityscapes around you with any lens in the Velvet lineup. However, the wide focal length of the Velvet 28 is particularly well suited to this genre of photography.

• Channel your inner Monet and use more of the Velvet glow effect to create impressionistic landscapes and cityscapes.
• Or try stopping down to darker apertures for a more crisp and detailed rendition.

• If you want an image with a lot of glow but are having trouble focusing, stop down to f/4, focus, then open back to your desired brighter aperture & shoot.
• Velvet 28, 56 & 85 are sharp lenses - even wide open with tons of glow. Look closely at an image and you'll see tack-sharp detail underneath with a layer of glow on top.
• Don't want glow? No problem. Stop down to f/4 and the glow goes away. At apertures darker than f/4, you'll have tack-sharp detail with film-like color and softness at the edges. Edge softness decreases at darker apertures.
• No matter what aperture you're shooting at and how much glow you have - the sharp area of your image will always be in the center.
• Not sure how much glow you want? Simply experiment and see what looks most aesthetically pleasing to you. A lot of glow on one subject may work but it may overwhelm another shot.