Lensbaby Unplugged Member of the Week
Interview with DeeDee Mansfield
DeeDee Mansfield with Lensbaby Velvet 85
Q: What is your favorite shoot you've ever done?
A: Denver Botanic Garden
Q: What inspires you to reach for your camera?
Q: What are your favorite Lensbaby Lenses to use in your session?
A: Velvet 85 for its ability to compress the background and the Sweet 50 for its amazing ability to focus sharply and blur the edges.
DeeDee Mansfield with Lensbaby Velvet 85
Q: How did you hear about Lensbaby, and what encouraged you to purchase a LB lens?
A: I first heard of LB in a Clickin Mom's macro photography class taught by Tiffany Kelly. She was using the Velvet 56 - the lens that started my love of flower photography and also the lens that started my LB addiction.
Q:What was your journey to becoming a photographer like?
A: Like many people, I started my journey by taking snap shots with a compact camera. About 8 years ago, I bought an underwater housing for my compact camera and started shooting the underwater world while SCUBA diving. My underwater shots were ok, but I was still shooting "snap shots". So, 1-1/2 years ago I took the leap, coughed up the money for a Sony mirrorless camera and began taking photography classes. Tiffany's macro photography class got me started on my LB journey but Kathleen's Clemons supercharged my passion for flower photography and all things Lensbaby.
Q: What is your favorite subject to photograph and how would you describe your photography style?
A: My favorite subject is a flower with curves or lines. I love to focus on the small curves and send everything else to blur. I have so much more to learn - I don't feel like I've found my style yet. However, looking back at the images I've created so far, most of them are pink! I love soft colors.
DeeDee Mansfield with Lensbaby Sweet 50
Q: What do you love the most about photography?
A: I love the challenge - it can be very difficult to create a photograph from an idea/image in my mind. But it's very rewarding when it works!
Q: What helps you when you're struggling with a creative block?
A: Time. I need lots of time. If I'm not getting the results I had envisioned, I'll try different compositions, change background, try a different lens, etc. There are times I don't know what I want to create until I see it in my viewfinder!
DeeDee Mansfield with Lensbaby Velvet 85
Q: Would you consider yourself an adventurous photographer, or do you tend to stay in your comfort zone?
A: Yes, I would consider myself an adventurous photographer. Even though I love blur and tend to want to shoot with large apertures, I also see the beauty in images with lots of detail. My 'comfort zone' may be blur but I don't limit myself to that type of photography. I love the detail that my Velvet 85 delivers at f/16.
Q: What else would you like to see from Lensbaby in the future?
A: I would like an in-depth tutorial on the OMNI system, including examples of the different effects from each wand.
DeeDee Mansfield with Lensbaby Sweet 50
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