I was lucky to have the chance to shadow Laura Tillinghast on a recent Lensbaby photo shoot "Product Spotlight" a couple of weeks ago. Laura tested the Lensbaby Composer Pro with Sweet Optic 35. Laura is a professional photographer and part of the Pro Team at Zenfolio. And Zenfolio just happens to be where my blogging partner Kristina and I both separately host our own studio websites. It is through Zenfolio that I met Laura who teaches a variety of photography classes (Click see the list here).
I was fortunate to receive a Lensbaby Spark to test out for Moms Who Click. I have heard a lot about Lensbaby products from other photographers I follow including Alex Beadon. Now that I've played with one I have to say, I am totally hooked.
It is SO much fun and simple. In this case just install the lens as you normally would to your DSLR. Lensbaby Spark is a 50mm lens with a fixed aperture of f/5.6.
Once your lens is in place you will need to set your camera to full manual mode. While the Spark has a fixed focal length of 50mm, because of the flexible nature of the lens you can bend, extend or contract it until you find the sweet spot you're hoping to achieve.
Straight out of the camera results are amazing. But you can further enhance, define, refine and highlight once you get the image into your favorite editing software.
To the right are a few examples I put together to show the same set up (except I did move the object on the right to a different plane in the top and bottom images).
By just bending the lens to the left, center or right I was able to get a sharper focus wherever you see the red circle. Below are a few more examples using the Spark. I deliberately picked images that had text in them to highlight the focus.
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[The quote on the mug is based on the hilarious BBC Show, The IT Crowd.] |
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From the book, "The Four-Hour Chef" |
For more information on how to use the Lensbaby Spark see the video below.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
- Moms Who Click is pleased to giveaway ONE Lensbaby Spark to one of our readers
- Please leave a comment below telling us what you will be using your Lensbaby Spark to photograph PLUS an email address for us to contact in case you are the winner. No email means we cannot contact you and will pick another winner.
- For a second entry please LIKE our Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/MomsWhoClick if you haven't already
- For a third entry please LIKE the Lensbaby Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/seeinanewway if you haven't already
- We will notify the winner the week of February 18th. We will ask for your model DSLR camera (Nikon F or Canon EF Mounts only)
- We will hold the drawing one week from today, on Monday February 18th President's Day! Good luck!
And by the way, to learn more about Zenfolio and to download a free eBook click here "Creating a Photography Website That Works For You"
I would like to try out that LensBaby...been wanting one for awhile now..I would use it for close-ups and to get great dof...
ReplyDeleteThanks for always having something new and fresh and wonderful on your page...
cheryl.crotty@mac.com
Hi Cheryl, you are the lucky winner of our Lensbaby Spark! I will contact you directly via email. Congrats!
DeleteI would love to use the LensBaby for those detail shots that define photography. I'd also use it for close ups, I'm natural light photographer so I'd be using it outdoors!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this amazing giveaway :)
Amber@ATouchOfAmber.com
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'd love the Spark for portrature- it would be a great way to get some new creative shots!
ReplyDeletesewin2disney@hotmail.com
I'm a fan of Lensbaby on Facebook
ReplyDeleteSewIn2Disney@hotmail.com
I have been wanting to try a Lensbaby for a while now but haven'y had the extra funds to purchase one. I am doing portraits at a formal Sweet Sixteen party in March and would love to add this lens!
ReplyDeletecwharriman@msn.com
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ReplyDeleteI like the Lesnbaby Page on Facebook.
ReplyDeletecwharriman@msn.com
I also likes the Moms Who Click page on Facebook.
ReplyDeletecwharriman@msn.com
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ReplyDeleteI think I'll be using the lens baby for children and seniors. I love the bokeh and it is exquisite in children :) Thank you so much for this opportunity, you ROCK!
ReplyDeletelastingimpressionphotographie@gmail.com
A fan of yours on fb :)
ReplyDeletelastingimpressionphotographie@gmail.com
Already a fan of Lensbaby on fb :)
ReplyDeletelastingimpressionphotographie@gmail.com
oh when i saw your post this evening, i was so excited! I have been wanting to get a lensbaby for my camera for sometime. I just love the photos taken with this lens...so soft and so dreamy. I am already a fan of your site...but i am going to hop right over and become a fan of Lensbaby too! just in case i am the super lucky winner....here is my email...
ReplyDeleterichard.thompson@sbcglobal.net
i just was over at the lensbaby page and liked it! I just love the photos they have posted using the new Spark! I would love to use it to photograph my goldendoodles...and my children!
ReplyDeleteI have been longing for a Lensbaby forever. I've seen such amazingly dreamy landscape and flower shots done with it. That's what I would do too but I would probably find lots of other things to do as well. I think the images would go beautifully with textures. I am already a an of your site but will go over to Lensbaby right now. Thanks for this great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun lens! You know I'm already like (love) your FB page - just 'like' Lensbaby as well. My fingers are crossed!
ReplyDeleteI have seen so many creative shots with lensbabies and I so want to try one on my creative prtraits of my little girl. Thanks for the opportunity to enter to win! scguthery@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThis year marks my first attempt at a 365 day photo project. I've been taking at least one photo a day but I have not been posting every day. Some photos are just not worthy I guess. I've never tried a lens baby but has seen others use them and have lens baby envy.
ReplyDeleteeva.creel@yahoo.com
I would use this in my lifestyle photography as well as in sessions. It think it would be so fun to use with kids! I seriously love the look a lens baby gives and have tried to replicate it in post but haven't purchased one yet! Thank you for the opportunity to win such a fun prize! My email address is simplicitybymegan@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI miss my Lensbaby. I had one, but lost it in a house fire (along with my other favorite lens, the 85mm f/1.8). I loved using it for close-up/macro flower photography and nature photography.
ReplyDeleteMy email is oliviafulmer@att.net.
I am very excited to try the Lensbaby on my rescue dogs, and my outdoor shots! Thank you for the give-away!! telecomgoddess@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteI'll probably use the lensbaby to take a few "fun" shots of some of the upcoming newborn sessions that I have. Always wanted to play around with one of these...
ReplyDeletezegolf[at]gmail[dot]com
I've wanted to try a LensBaby for awhile! I'd try this lens out everywhere, but I imagine it would be great fun to use for flowers and other close up shots.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great giveaway!
k.donna.woods@gmail.com
How exciting. Thank you! I would love to use it in portraiture as well as still life! ♥ I already like both pages ;)
ReplyDeleteHow cool! I would shoot flowers and still life shots. Maybe food!
ReplyDeleteI would be shooting my favorite subjects-my kids, my sisters' kids, any kids. :) Great giveaway!
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