on the Lensbaby learning curve

[jabber]

This was my most successful Lensbaby effort from a Washington Nationals game a few weeks back. Any thoughts?

[kat]

I have a hard time critiquing this. I'm not one for this photo type. I can get queezy just looking at them for a second to long.

The most I know about this effect is to have a clear subject with I can see in #23.

Neat photo.

[jabber]

Ha--thanks, Kat. I like the Lensbaby because it produces a unique effect, but I know that not everyone likes that effect. Yes, the idea here was to isolate #23 (something like, The Loneliness of the Left Fielder). It can be hard just to achieve focus with the Lensbaby, so at least I managed that.

[tirediron]

Well done; not my taste, but an interesting image nonetheless.

[ruleofthirds]

That's crazy jabber! At first look i really like the shot but it looks like it's moving. I've seen some of your other shots on your site and you obviously know what you're doing, your photos are awesome!

I've not used a lens baby, can you control the amount of effect by the amount you squeeze the lens? Most of the lens baby shots i've seen are macro or close up type shots where the background is thrown WAY out of focus, like a lens at F1.0. Your shot confuses my eyes because at that distance usually everything is sharp, you could almost consider it a landscape. That said, what fun are rules if you can't break 'em? Show us more!

PS Great shot! http://jab.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Boxeur_des_Rues_/

[jabber]

Thanks, Rule--I appreciate the comments. The Lensbaby Composer, the latest iteration in the Lensbaby line, doesn't require "squeezing" exactly, but does require moving the flexible lens about (to find your sweet spot), and then focusing with the manual ring. The more you move the lens from the standard position, the greater the area of blur. You change apertures with an ingenious little magnet which allows you to pluck out one aperture ring and drop in another. I use 4.0 almost exclusively at the moment. It requires some practice to get a decent shot, but the Lensbaby does something no other lens does, and it's small, light, and easy to throw in the camera bag. Good fun. Here's another baseball shot: this time, Class A minor league.

[ruleofthirds]

Thanks for that. The Lensbaby composer is a bit different then i thought. I didn't know the aperture is set with plates. I really should take a run down to the Camera Store and take a look at one of these things.

This second shot i like much better. The pitcher, cut in half, is a bit distracting, but the defined area of sharpness really helps lead my eye to the batter which i'm sure this is what you were after. Nice shot jabber.

[scorpio_e]

I did not like the first one BUT the more I looked at it the more I liked it. I bet it would make a great print:)

I like the second one too. Nice selective focus and I agree that it cuts a little too close with the pitcher.

Well done.

[ruleofthirds]

LOL !

Sorry, i thought the pitcher was cut in half... i just couldn't see it. Now i can clearly see it's the pitcher and the short stop.

OOPS!

[jabber]

Yes, I wondered what you meant about the pitcher--thanks for clarifying. And thanks for your comment, Scorpio--I'm intrigued that your opinion changed.

[jlabel]

This is such an amazing lens. When I grow up I want one =]
Love the picture

[mindforge]

I think the lens baby is best used for events like weddings and artistic photos. I am not saying that sports photography is not an art. If you could get closer to the player I think it would help.

Try to get out to a parade and get close and take detail shots, the lensbaby really shines when you do closeup detail work, like flowers at a wedding.

[jabber]

If you could get closer to the player I think it would help.

Try to get out to a parade and get close and take detail shots, the lensbaby really shines when you do closeup detail work, like flowers at a wedding.

Thanks for the comments, jlabel and mindforge. I've done a crop that brings the viewer a bit closer to #23, and the result is slightly more focused (and slightly less dizzying). I'll work on some close-up stuff.

[jmayoff]

I really like both of them, but especially this first one for how it almost hurts my eyes (in a good way). I want to look around at everything, but I need to stop and rest my eyes on #23 every few seconds before I venture again into the jungle of blur above him. Great work.