CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

Here's a picture I didn't include in the "Dripsplat" post in the "Close Up" section. I used the Composer Pro with the Double Glass Optic and Dripsplat creative aperture.

The second picture was taken with the Composer Pro and Double Glass Optic with the Sunburst creative aperture. I was experimenting to see what I would get with landscapes, and I found out - not always good! What I don't like about this picture is how the creative aperture picks up the light reflected off of the snow, and it's effect on the man walking his bicycle. In the third pic, I don't care for the way the light reflecting off of the snow looks like a fog. IMO, not good in such a landscape. If there were no snow, perhaps it would be a much better picture.

Dripsplat Aperture

(Download)

Sunburst Aperture

(Download)

Sunburst Aperture

(Download)

angela k Loc: Long Island

Creative set, Cathy... the rose stands out against the dripsplat and the two landscapes look very dreamlike!!

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

Thank you for the comment, Angela. I'm don't care for the two landscapes. I'm just sharing them so the rest of you can see what happened with the reflected light.

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

Morning Cathy, Not familiar with the sunburst optic or double glass so no insight there other than I like the composition and story of the two fellows with the bike. Bet they are chatting away. That was a difficult picture to take with all the shadows, different contrast. Can't figure out what caused the bit of blur or whatever on the guy or how to get rid of it. Wonder if a slight dehaze would do anything? Or could you darken that area a bit? Don't you just hate it when you like a shot but there is something going on that needs a tweak? Funny thing is when I do delete, it goes into lala land and I never think of it again. Don't know why it is so painful to me.

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

Same here, Sandy. It's painful even though I know I'll never miss the bad pictures. lol!

The double glass is one of several optics that Lensbaby has discontinued. The optics are inserted in such "lenses" as the Composer Pro, the Composer (an earlier version of the Composer Pro), the Scout, the Muse, the Spark. These "lenses" don't have any glass in them. They're simply "holders" for the optics. The different optics are: (the older ones) Double Glass, Single Glass, Soft Focus, Plastic and Pinhole/Zone Plate; (newer ones) Sweet 35, Sweet 50, Twist 60, Fisheye, Wide Angle 0.42, Edge 50 and Edge 80. I may have missed a "lens" or "optic" in this list. There are also old Lensbabies that have lenses such as the 3G. If you go on eBay and do a search for "Lensbaby", you'll get a long list of what is being sold, and among the newer lenses and optics, there will be a few old ones.

The "older" optics like the double glass don't have built-in aperture blades. Instead, they come with aperture disks that you have to insert into the optic. There are also Creative Apertures. They're discs with different shapes like a heart, a bird in flight, dripsplat, sunburst, etc. Instead of inserting an aperture disc such as F5.6, for example, you would insert the creative aperture disc of your choice.

In these two landscape pictures with the snow, I used the double glass optic inserted in the Composer Pro with the sunburst creative aperture.

How the reflected sunlight on the snow interacts with the effects of the double glass optic caused that white "fog/glow". I was experimenting to see what I would get with that Lensbaby combination. I was looking for sunburst effects. I found that there is no way to minimize the effect in the pictures through post processing without going to a huge amount of work, much of which I don't know how to do but know it can be done. I did try to dehaze, but it had no effect on the fogginess. If I were going to take another picture similar to these, I would probably use one of my conventional lenses. It might be interesting to see what would happen using the Velvet 56, but that would be another experiment.

I hope I haven't confused you in trying to explain about the optics, etc.

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

Not confusing. Very informative and good summary. I thank you very much and I'll bet others agree.

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

I'm glad I was clear - I tend to ramble!

jayway55 Loc: Philadelphia Area - USA

Another great lesson for us all, Cathy! Love the rose with the interesting background. Snow covered landscapes are difficult to shoot no matter what lens you use with all of that contrast. I do like the foggy effect, even though the snow is a little bright. I just got back from Florida where I took some landscape type shots with the Velvet 56. I haven't uploaded them yet, and I'm curious to see how they turned out. I'll be posting them good or bad! Thanks for the explanation of the different optics, very useful for those who don't have them.

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

I look forward to seeing your photos, Jane! I'm a firm believer in posting good and bad shots. As you know, I do that a lot! lol! By critiquing them, we learn! We'd do that in art classes, analyzing what's good and bad, and what would make the drawings/paintings better, which ends up all to the good. Our awareness expands, enabling us to do better.

Regarding the snow, this will be another opportunity to experiment with the different lenses/optics this Winter! lol! Perhaps there are optics that will do better with snow than others. It will be interesting to see the results.