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Lensbaby Lenses

I discovered Lensbaby lenses in 2017 and fell in love with creative opportunities for seeing in a new way. 

Velvet 56, Velvet 85

Two of my favorite Lensbabies, the Velvet 56 and Velvet 85, offer a photographic range from tack sharp to soft, etheric glow depending on the aperture. Lighting also affects results in unusual, unexpected, and delightful ways. 

Sweet 50, Double Glass, Sol 45

The Sweet 50, Sol 45, and double glass lenses offer a sharp, sweet spot of focus that falls off into a painterly, creamy, or gentle bokeh depending on the aperture. This lens can tilt, as well, which moves the sweet spot of focus to the photographer’s focal point. These lenses can also pick up bokeh bubbles galore.

An Opening to the Subtle Worlds

I shoot manually with my Lensbabies, which has taught me to work more deliberately and intuitively in order to make a full circuit connection between myself, the lens, and my subject. This manual practice has improved my work with Canon lenses, which also capture beautiful images and bokeh.

But technically speaking, Lensbabies are entirely manual. They don’t talk at all to the electronics in the camera. But also the intention of the lens, to embrace an etheric, softer perspective, asks the photographer to join in and connect to the subtle, mystical, dreamy worlds. It’s like capturing the dream world or a meditative vision with your eyes wide open. This soft yet focused look captivates my imagination.