A few more ideas with the Velvet
Jul 8, 2017 10:21:33 #
I have played more with this lens since this section started. Good encouragement. My problem is indecision when I take my camera out. I think I will miss a shot if I go out just with this lens. Esp. hiking. Guess the backpack will be put to use once more.
chopped bottom of glass but idea is there
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Almost too dull for my likes
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This is better I think
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Jul 8, 2017 15:20:36 #
I love the last one. One thing I would say about this lens ... don't fear the blur. It's hard. We are so trained to get everything sharp. With this lens, things in focus will have blur at the wider apertures. Embrace it. Use your light to enhance the effect.
Jul 8, 2017 16:29:08 #
Nightski wrote:
I love the last one. One thing I would say about this lens ... don't fear the blur. It's hard. We are so trained to get everything sharp. With this lens, things in focus will have blur at the wider apertures. Embrace it. Use your light to enhance the effect.
First things first- I apologize in advance if I ever call you "Jetski. Always comes to my mind as we don't do night skiing in the deep south. May I say your comments made a welcome and much appreciated impact on my thoughts. You are so very correct in saying I should "embrace it" as that is the true function of the Velvet as well as other Lensbaby's. I know in my heart that I am drawn to one small sharp spot and the rest nice blur. I am thinking as the Sweet 35 or Sweet 50 produce. I have to often gone with the sharper image of the Velvet and though nothing wrong with that, it is a copout. So, I thank you so much for your good advice. I hope you will continue to do so in this section as I believe we all want to become more skilled with the "BLUR" or as Donna says, "The dreaded blur". So ladies, embrace the blur!!! ETB!!!!!!
Jul 8, 2017 16:30:56 #
I know what you mean, Sandy. I took my Sweet 50 to a state park this week and threw all caution to the wind. After all, we have nothing to lose but clicks and time with digital...and we just might bring home a masterpiece! 
I like all of these and especially the last. I love the delicate and moody effect.
I like all of these and especially the last. I love the delicate and moody effect.Jul 8, 2017 16:36:30 #
Dixiegirl wrote:
I know what you mean, Sandy. I took my Sweet 50 to a state park this week and threw all caution to the wind. After all, we have nothing to lose but clicks and time with digital...and we just might bring home a masterpiece! I like all of these and especially the last. I love the delicate and moody effect.
I like all of these and especially the last. I love the delicate and moody effect.Thank you Donna. Is there much difference in the sweet 35 and sweet 50. How did the park shoot go? Are you pleased? Did you shoot variety? Anxious for you to post. I think we are all going to learn a great deal in this section.
Jul 8, 2017 16:55:50 #
CSand wrote:
Thank you Donna. Is there much difference in the sweet 35 and sweet 50. How did the park shoot go? Are you pleased? Did you shoot variety? Anxious for you to post. I think we are all going to learn a great deal in this section.
Sandy, I still can't see much difference in the 35 and the 50 other than maybe more of the blur effect with the 50. The park shoot was fun, but my Lensbaby shots certainly won't win any prizes. I switched between closeups and scenes. At home I use live view for almost all my Lensbaby shots with my camera on a tripod so I can really zoom in on the subject, but the park is over the river delta in direct sun, and there is too much glare on my screen to use live view. Getting something in focus there is more of a guessing game. I'll salvage them out soon to post though.
Jul 8, 2017 18:35:23 #
Dixiegirl wrote:
Sandy, I still can't see much difference in the 35... (show quote)
I struggle in live view because the exposure doesn't show up properly. When it looks right, it's actually much too bright. I've done better since I started using my viewfinder. One tip I heard about adjusting your viewfinder is to look at the lcd info in the viewfinder screen and adjust until it looks sharp. As far as the 35 and 50 optics .. wish I'd skipped the 35 and bought the edge 80. But maybe I'll find a use for that 35 yet. Who knows. I love the velvet 56. In fact it's one of my most used lenses. I like it for landscape too at the smaller apertures. This is a shot with the aperture at F/8 .. I think .. or F/11. Can't remember now.
http://500px.com/photo/208716653/saint-clair-lake-by-sandra-nightski?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=5883322
As you can see, when it's stopped down it's a tack sharp little lens. No glow ... maybe a bit at the edges. Must have been f/8.
Jul 8, 2017 20:08:11 #
Sandy, you had me at hello..... I love the first two shots, the artsy subject, the glow, the subtle colors in the glass, the composition and the sharp focus on what's important.... can you tell I love them!!!
Keep playing and posting, we all can get inspired from seeing each others posts!!
Keep playing and posting, we all can get inspired from seeing each others posts!!
Jul 9, 2017 00:14:21 #
Nightski wrote:
I struggle in live view because the exposure doesn... (show quote)
Thank you for the viewfinder tip, and I agree with you about the Velvet 56. At f/16 it's amazingly sharp on closeups, but with an aperture that small, much of the Lensbaby effect is lost. It seems f/8 is a good middle ground.
Jul 9, 2017 06:43:48 #
CSand wrote:
I have played more with this lens since this section started. Good encouragement. My problem is indecision when I take my camera out. I think I will miss a shot if I go out just with this lens. Esp. hiking. Guess the backpack will be put to use once more.
Sandy, a very pleasing series. Thank you.
Greg
Jul 9, 2017 07:32:49 #
I ditto everyone here! I love these shots, and I'm embracing the blur like I'm embracing my curves!! Experimentation and practice is the key no matter what Lensbaby you're using. I'm starting to learn by watching all of these wonderful posts that sometimes you need to post what you feel is a "dud" because it's no necessarily so. I'm so glad we have this section so we can share with each other.
Jul 9, 2017 13:39:30 #
They're beautiful, Sandy, my favorite being the last one! I also really like the fern leaf.
Jul 9, 2017 22:11:25 #
Nightski wrote:
I struggle in live view because the exposure doesn... (show quote)
Again, very helpful info. And I enjoyed your wonderful "500pix" photos. You are very talented!
Jul 9, 2017 22:15:07 #
Dixiegirl wrote:
Sandy, I still can't see much difference in the 35... (show quote)
Looking forward to the ones you do salvage, Donna. I am proud of all of us that are trying new things. I don't do much shooting in mid day. My preference is 4 until just after dark. There are times though mid day is what you have to go with.
Jul 9, 2017 22:17:24 #
angela k wrote:
Sandy, you had me at hello..... I love the first ... (show quote)
Thank you Angela. I will indeed keep working. I have almost ordered the sweet 50 several times today. I need to keep studying the info before I do.
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