ALAN OSTERHOLTZ’S AMAZING
“FREE-LENS” TECHNIQUE
Article and Photography by Alan Osterholtz
To start out the discussion, I must say that I enjoy
trying new things out. Processes and techniques
that I haven’t done before are what I really like.
From the 3-D pictures to these new free-lens
shots, the results never end up being what I expect
in the end. It all starts with an idea or a bad one
in some cases. So before I begin to explain the
process of capturing with free-lens I will start with
a disclaimer:
If you take the lens off your camera you
expose the sensor to the elements. This
means all the nasty dust or what ever might
be in the air might get in your camera. I take
no responsability for any damage that might
happen.
So now that you are willing to take a risk and try
something new here goes. You will get some really
awesome photos and they will frustrate you till you
get it just right. Welcome to man ual photography. I
am sure there are lots of things that I am missing
in this write up but this is an attempt. More of a
conversation starter.
Hardware and settings
I use a Canon SL1 for my free lens shots. Not only
is this a great little camera it is light and it works
with my existing lens system of canon. The smaller
the camera the better control you will have over the
shift on the lens. From the experimenting I have
done, the best lens to use is a canon 50mm 1.8.
This is the trusty Canon nifty fifty. I usually have
the camera on manual at ISO 100 F2.5 (Not that it
matters since the lens is off the camera) 1/250th
to 1/500th of a second exposure. I shoot RAW and
JPG on my camera so that I have the most options
for editing.
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NM CliQ Magazine | December 2015
Procedure
Some pointers!
Don’t drop the camera
Don’t drop the lens
1. Pre-focus using auto on something that will
put the lens at infinity.
2. Once focused take the lens off the camera
3. Hold the lens in one hand the camera in the
other. Keep the the camera steady and move
the lens on the subject.
4. The focus will pop in and you can get an idea
of the final product. I use the view screen to
get a rough idea.
5. Secure the lens back on the camera.
Rinse, repeat and play!
I like the effect of
shooting into the sun
and the light leakage
that it gives the images.
They can become surreal
and blown out. It’s all
practice and patience.
You will get amazing
bokeh and you will get
sharp focus it’s just a
matter of playing.
Zeona Rae Martinez
Feel free to hit me up
on facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/
OsterholtzPhotography/
or find me on Instagram as Osterholtz.