Abi Coop
Melissa Richard
Kristen Ryan
The Traveling Lensbaby Project | Velvet 56 with Molly Carstater
Hello Storyteller is excited to continue with our next installment of the Traveling Lensbaby Project! We have several Lensbabies circulating around the globe, and our Hello Creatives are excited to share their unique art with our community. Our next submission is from the incredible Molly Carstater with the Lensbaby Velvet 56!
“As a newer Hello Artist, I was very excited when I learned that there is a traveling Lensbaby project. I have been shooting with various Lensbabies since 2014. One of my favorites is the Velvet 56. I find it to be an extremely versatile lens, rendering everything from painterly, nearly abstract images to very sharp images with fantastic sunbursts.
When shot wide open, details in images blur to a glow like quality, reminiscent of a watercolor or oil painting. This can be controlled depending on the aperture and the distance to the subject. I find that shooting between f/1.6 and f/2.8 creates a glow across the entire image, and by stopping down to f/4 or higher, areas of specific sharpness begin to appear.”
“I am primarily a macro and nature photographer, and the Velvet 56 showcases incredible detail and very distinctive bokeh. Because the Velvet 56 is not a true 1:1 macro lens, I often shoot with a snap on macro filter to increase magnification. However, this lens does have a very close focusing ability, allowing you to be a mere five inches away from your subject.”
“I also enjoy using this lens as a wider nature lens and find the blur is easier to manage when shooting from a bit of a distance.”
“It is also a very fun landscape lens and showcases amazing color and details.”
“I used it a bit this past fall and was utterly smitten with the color and swirl this lens added when shooting a wider point of view than my normal macro use.”
“This lens will be a staple in my camera bag for many years to come.”
Stay tuned for more Lensbaby adventures with the Sol 45, Burnside 35, Velvet 56 and Omni System as we travel with these amazing lenses!
This lens looks incredible! It’s definitely on my wish list. Your photos are stunning. 🥰
Thank you, Steph! 💕
Oh wow, Molly! These are incredible. I’m especially drawn to the landscapes you’ve taken with the velvet. What aperture did you use for those?
Oh I’m not sure. The in focus ones probably f/4-5.6. The more painterly ones around f/2.8 and I think the last one probably wide open at 1.6.
I NEED this lens!! It looks so beautiful. You capture nature so wonderfully, Molly! I love the colors. I’m in need of a macro lens that won’t break the bank!
The V56 is not very expensive compared to a standard macro lens. 🙂
These are so beautiful! You’ve motivated me to get out the velvet 56 again 💛
thank you! 🙂
Molly! OMG….I want to be you when I grow up….just kidding (I promise not to stalk too much) but on a serious note (and a run-on sentence)….you are an amazingly talented artist and I’m honored to be your friend! <3
thank you so much for your support and friendship! 💕