Sony a7riii | Obscura | f/32 | 1/80 | 3200
The Obscura optic is characterized by its low-fi and dreamlike aesthetic, which is achieved through the use of pinhole, zone plate, and sieve apertures. These apertures produce images with a soft focus, limited depth of field, and noticeable vignetting. The resulting photographs often have a nostalgic or otherworldly feel, with an emphasis on shapes, forms, and light rather than fine details or sharpness.
Read MoreIn February of 2021, I challenged myself to shoot my self-portraiture for 30-days using only Lensbaby lenses and optics. Self-portraiture can prove intimidating, and adding a creative manual focus lens into the mix can feel like a formidable feat. These lenses and optics soon proved to be the missing pieces to bringing my visions to life. Over a year later, I'm still shooting my work primarily with Lensbaby gear, and I haven't looked back.
Lensbaby Soft Focus II | ISO | 160 | 1/250 | Sony a7rIII
Recently, I had the opportunity to be a beta tester for a new optic, The Soft Focus II, by Lensbaby. The Soft Focus II optic fits into my Composer Pro II and judging by my results, it will stay there for a long time to come. This new optic has significant potential in aiding me in my future work.
Lensbaby Soft Focus II | ISO | 320 | 1/250 | Sony a7rIII
My first impression was that it gave a similar feel to my Velvet 56 when I shot between f/2.8 and f/2.5. There was a familiar smoothness and a glow reminiscent of the Velvet line, but I felt the glow was more substantial than the Velvets upon deeper inspection.
Lensbaby Soft Focus II | ISO | 320 | 1/250 | Sony a7rIII
I usually shoot fairly wide as a self-portrait artist, only stopping down to f/2.8 at most. When I began testing the Soft Focus II, I shot at f/2.5 - f/2.8. The softness, blur, and luminous glow immediately brought me into that dreamworld atmosphere I am drawn to so deeply. I then decided to try out f/4 and was pleasantly surprised with my results.
Lensbaby Soft Focus II | ISO | 160 | 1/800 | F/4 | Sony a7rIII
There was a level of detail and structure brought out in the image, yet it still had a smoothness and softness to it. I usually use three editing software programs for my black and white images. When shooting at f/4, I achieved the same qualities as I typically do in my second editing program. It could essentially allow me to skip a step in my editing process.
Lensbaby Soft Focus II | ISO | 160 | 1/800 | Sony a7rIII
I want my art to give the viewer the feeling of looking through an old vintage book of fairytales. I'm not looking for sharp, precise details, and I like the imagination to come into play. I want the viewer whisked away into another world and time. The process of creating is of vital importance to me. Similar results may be possible in post-processing, but I want to spend as much time in the creative moment as possible. I want to look through my viewfinder and already begin to feel I'm there in that far away land. I want to see the results on the back of my camera and feel the excitement of knowing I was able to achieve my vision. Lensbaby's products help make all of this possible for me.
Lensbaby Soft Focus II | ISO | 320 | 1/120 | Sony a7rIII
I am looking forward to the Spring and Summer months when the foliage begins to fill in the empty gaps, and I can test out the magnetic drop-in aperture disks as a new way to bring more wonder and enchantment into my imagery. The Soft Focus II optic will now be on my camera until further notice!
*I am proud to be both a Lensbaby Ambassador and Click Pro Ambassador. If you should have any questions at all please reach out to me!
A year ago, I challenged myself to use Lensbaby lenses for my self-portrait work. I thought I would do it for 30-days. Here I am, a year later, and madly in love with these creative lenses and optics.
I made this self-portrait using my Lensbaby Composer Pro II with the Sweet 50 optic. Let me know if you have any questions, and if you’d like to save on your next Lensbaby purchase just use this link and the discount code wsharon .
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Sony a7riii | Sweet 50 | f/2.5 | 1/125| 1600
Expressive Self-Portraiture opening soon!🌙
This is a call for all artists who have that inner burning desire to create new work- a new type of work.
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This is a call for anyone who would like to delve deeper into self-portraiture and learn how to process and express your emotions and life experiences through art.
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This is a call to dare to dream, find your voice, use your voice, and try new things, all in a safe and supportive space online.
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This is a call for hard work, emotional work, creative work, healing work.
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This is your call to action! Come join me in a private online space where we will spend 4+ weeks together. We will share, learn, create, support, heal, and make magic. There will be weekly written lessons, editing videos, behind the scenes, and weekly live creative sessions where we will hold one another accountable and work together.
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Registration for Expressive Self Portraiture is opening next week. Stay tuned for more details! Have a question? Feel free to DM me or drop it in the comments below. I’m SO excited!
Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | f 2.8 | 1/250 | 200
Interested in the Lensbaby Velvet 56? Us this link and the code wsharon to save 10%!
Something that often comes up in my class, Expressive Self Portraiture, is the fear of sharing such deep and personal work while not feeling supported by those closest to us. I always encourage artists to share their work and trust that it will reach the right people at the right time, but this is no easy feat even for some of the most esteemed artists.
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It can feel confusing and even hurtful when the people we are closest to do not show support for our art. Why does it seem to be common to feel more supported by strangers and people you have never met in person? There can be several reasons for this.
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Our art is not for everyone.
I’ll say it again.
Not everyone is going to understand or connect with our work.
Our work can cause uncomfortable feelings for some people.
It may encourage them to face something in themselves that they are not ready to face.
They may think following you is enough.
They may feel intimidated or feel like an outsider to the art world.
They may not know how or feel comfortable interpreting our art.
They have their reasons and whatever they may be, just know that it is about them and not you or your work.
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As artists, we sometimes fall too deep in the trap of external validation. When we don’t see the support we would hope for from friends and family we tend to stay small. We don’t speak up or question it, but instead we hide with our feelings of unworthiness, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome.
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Fellow artists, keep doing what you’re doing and supporting each other. I know what gets put into making personal work. I’m a firm believer in artists supporting artists. I support you and appreciate your support- every comment, like, share, review, and recommendation.
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Thank you!
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Let’s discuss this. Do you find this is something you have struggled with or encountered? I believe it’s much more common than we think.
Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | f/2.8 | 1/250 | 200
✨ Don’t forget as a Lensbaby Ambassador I can save you 10% on your purchase. You can click this link and use the discount code- wsharon . Tag me on Instagram with any images you make with your Lensbaby gear so I can show my support!
Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | f2.8 | 1/250 | 200
I loved the conversation we had in the comments of my last Instagram post that I shared here yesterday. I think it’s helpful to learn the process of others, whether it’s finding out they are similar to you or learning something completely new. Thank you for sharing!
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Yesterday morning we had fog again. I knew I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. This was one of those shoots where I wasn’t thrilled with my results at first. I needed to sit with the images for a bit. I ended up editing one in color and one in B+W.
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I’ve been very pleased with the results of my @lensbabyusa Velvet 56 lately. The combination of this lens and the fog really helped add to the atmosphere here in this self-portrait. It makes me feel like it’s from another time, another land, a scene from a movie, a page from a book.
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Don’t forget, as a #lensbabyambassador I can offer you a 10% discount. Use this link and type in the code wsharon at checkout. Tag me in any work you make with them. I’d love to see and support you!
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Are you the type of artist who pre-plans your creative work? Or do you work off of a feeling? I used to have the mindset that in order to create art I needed to have a plan set in place. I felt that all of the professionals worked that way.
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Through time and experience, I have come to learn that there is no one way of creating art. I now can go into creating with an open mind and no expectations of a specific outcome. I don’t always pre-think all of my shots and instead, I allow myself to be present in the moment to find and create what my heart sees and feels.
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It may just be a whisper or a nudge, a sense or a feeling. I try to be receptive and
open so I don’t miss it. I listen and watch for signs and guidance. I’ve had plenty of shoots that didn’t produce an image in the end, but it did provide me with lessons and an experience. It all depends on how you look at it.
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This self-portrait? I was driving home from dropping my daughter off at school yesterday morning and the early morning fog called to me.
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So tell me, do you favor planning or going with your intuition? Or maybe a mix of the two like I do? There is no wrong or right way! Can you see a difference in your work with one way over another?
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Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | f/2.8 | 1/250 | 200
As a Lensbaby Ambassador I can save you 10% on your Lensbaby purchase. Just use this link and the code wsharon at checkout! Tag me on Instagram @sharoncovertphotography with any Lensbaby work you create!
Seeker🕯
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Earlier this week, I shot these self-portrait in my backyard using my Lensbaby Velvet 56. Since @lensbabyusa lenses are manual focus lenses, I needed something to focus on in the place where I would be standing. I used a dress form complete with a wig and mask on it to stand in my place. I use this because it is similar in size and height to me. Once I grabbed my focus, I was able to place a stick on the ground where I would be standing and move the dress form out of the frame.
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Have a question? Comment or DM me! Here’s the link for Lensbaby’s site. Be sure to use the code wsharon for a 10% discount on your next Lensbaby purchase!
Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | 1/250 | f/2 | ISO 100