Three Creative Techniques to Add to Your Toolbox

I love exploring new techniques that I can add to my creative toolbox. Here are three creative techniques to add to your toolbox (and some of my favorites)!

Helios 44-2 Reversed Freelensed – ISO250 f/2 1/320sec

Lensbaby Double Glass Optic – Reverse Freelensed – ISO500 f/2 1/320sec

1. Reverse Freelensing
   I am addicted to this fun and creative technique!  I had always been interested in learning how to freelens to obtain creative blurred images.  Earlier this year I took an online photography class that taught many different photography techniques that I have wanted to learn. One of these techniques was freelensing.  After learning this technique, I played around with reverse freelensing with a Helios 44-2 vintage lens and became addicted!  For those who don’t know, freelensing is a technique where you detach the lens from the camera body and hold the lens in front of the body by hand. As photographers, we can create painterly imagery by using many different techniques. My personal favorite way to achieve this style is by reverse freelensing.  Reverse freelensing is when you flip the lens around and hold the focus ring of the lens facing towards the camera body.  With this technique, reverse freelensing, one can use a non-macro lens to create macro like images. 
   

   Reverse Freelensed – Lensbaby Edge35 and Composer Pro – ISO320 F/3.5 1/400sec

   This technique has given me the artistic freedom to create painterly like images in camera without post manipulation.  If you would like to learn more about this technique, please visit my Instagram. In my IGTV and Reels where I have demonstrated how to achieve this technique.

   

   ISO 100 F/16 1 1/3sec – ICM – Swirling the Camera to the Right and Left in a figure 8 movement

   Want to get creative? Check out these awesome Hello Storyteller Courses:

   Language of Lensbaby

   Diary of a Creative Storyteller

2. Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) Photography
   ICM is an abstract style of photography created when you move the camera during exposure to create an artist effect. This is such a fun technique to play with. You really cannot go wrong with what you create because there are no rules! I prefer to practice this technique either early in the morning, later in the day, or indoors. This is when the light is not so bright. I begin in manual mode. Then I set my ISO to 100, and I’ll set my lens to the narrowest aperture (such as f/16 or f/22). Finally will raise my shutter speed to handle the available light perhaps around 0.5 sec. Once my camera is ready, I’ll get my subject in focus. Then as I am opening the shutter, I will slightly move my camera.
   

   Lensbaby Edge35 – ISO100 F/22 1/1sec – ICM – Jerking to the right Lensbaby Velvet 85 – ISO100 F/16 1/10sec – ICM – Swiftly moving the camera to the right

   There are many ways to achieve ICM. Panning left to right or up and down; zooming in and out; jerking the camera swiftly to one side; swirling the camera back and forth; and many more. ICM is all about experimenting, letting go of restrictions, painting with light, and having fun with abstract art.

   

   Lensbaby Double Glass Optic – 2 images layered in camera

   

   Lensbaby Double Glass Optic – 2 images layered in camera

    

3. Multiple Exposure – In Camera Effect
   This creative technique is achieved by creating one image of two exposures in camera. It is a fun way to add layers and visual interest to your image. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark IV and follow the steps below to create multiple exposures in camera. Note: Make sure your camera’s WiFi is turned off otherwise this will not work. When shooting in this method I recommend using live view so you can see where you are layering your first image over your second image.
   

These techniques provide the opportunity to experiment and step out of your comfort zone. Going outside of normal boundaries of photography and art can result in beautiful, creative images.

For more inspiration, follow Regina on Instagram.