If you aren’t aware, I love tilt shift photography (or selective focus)–when done well. When not done well, it pretty much looks like a blurry picture.  Though tilt shift photography hasn’t received the same amount of attention and uptake by photographers and the general public as HDR (high dynamic resolution), I find that tilt shift produces a interesting and unique perspective. I look at the work with the fascination of a little kid.

In a nutshell, tilt shift photography is a technique where special lenses are used to overcome the restrictions normal lenses have when it comes to depth of field and perspective. To achieve the tilt shift effect, the lens rotates against the image plane (tilt) and also moves along the image plane (shift). Through application of the Scheimpflug principle, the photographer can take an image with a very shallow depth of field using tilt and a larger aperture. Here is an example of a tilt shift lens.

Recently, I’ve noticed the use of tilt shift in an Allstate Insurance commercial as well as a scene in the movie A Serious Man.

Just today, a fellow photographer shared this great tilt shift video by Sam O’Hare on Twitter.

So, what’s shooting technique or style piques your interest?

lenses, techniques, titl shift

While I work on a post about the oft-overlooked aspect of becoming a professional photographer — it’s a business — I thought I would put up a more lighthearted piece.

A couple of years ago, I was introduced to the term “bastard lenses” by a pro. He dropped that term after I rattled off a descriptions of  lenses in my lineup. He was right. I had a hodgepodge of lenses acquired when I was buying film camera from people on Craigslist. The are decent lenses, at best, but as I shot more and more it became apparent that I was/am working with some pretty average glass.

Last year, I bought a Nikon 105 f/2.8 micro lens.  Wow! Talk about having your eyes, quite literally, opened to a whole new level of quality. I love this lens. Subsequently, I am on a mission to fill out my lens family with similar glass.  Accordingly, here’s my wish list.

Nikon 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED AF-S DX

Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G

It wouldn’t be a proper wish list if I didn’t include the full-frame bodies I would love to have in my bag.

Nikon D3X

Nikon D700

I would have listed the D3 instead of the D700, but I would like to have two different-sized full frame bodies. I have the D300, which is pushing the envelop on totability, so the D700 would at least have the relative weight and feel.

I know there’s a big movement to incorporate video capabilities with the DSLR bodies. Honestly, I’m not that interested in shooting video with my DSLR, and am perfectly comfortable using my G10 to capture video. (Of course, I may eat those words at some point in the future, but this is about where I am today.)

So there it is. Know anyone feeling rather benevolent with about $16k?

bodies, gear, lenses