In my talks I showed several of my own photos and videos made with Lensbabies as I talked about how the various uses I find for them in my work. Here are some of the images I showed. If you’d like to see some examples of how I use Lensbabies for video, check out the “The Blue Indian Presents” series I’ve done.

The plastic optic gives a soft & hazy effect in harsh light.

Another effect the plastic optic enhances is lens flares and chromatic aberrations.

The double glass optic is tact sharp.

My wife took this shot with the star aperture from the Lensbaby Creative Aperture Kit. It is of sunlight coming through the leaves in the woods.

Here you see me taking the image below. I include this shot so that you get an idea of the INSANE perspective the 12mm Fisheye provides.

Shot with the Lensbaby Fisheye optic at f/11

One other benefit of the fisheye optic is it’s incredible macro capabilities. This magicicada is a mere 1/2 inch from the lens but the 12mm fisheye provides a wide field of view revealing the background.

As you close up the aperture of a Lensbaby optic the “blurry” effect is minimized. This shot was made with a Lensbaby Composer and double glass optic at f/8 with off-camera flash.

Without an aperture disc, the Lensbaby double glass optic functions at f/1.8 which is great for capturing action in low-light.

When using selective focus, there’s no question as to where you want the viewer’s eyes to go.

Photojournalism work prohibits the use of post-production filters and effects. A Lensbaby is a great way to get a specific look “in-camera.” This shot was made in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake of a man with a sick child waiting to see a doctor. It captures the emotion of a parent whose only concern in the world is the well-being of his child.

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup there was no shortage of photojournalists with cameras. Having a Lensbaby on hand gave me a unique perspective that was unlike anyone else’s.

One of my favorite uses of my Lensbaby is for concert photography. The effect it has on all the lights is stunning!

Talking ‘Bout Lensbaby is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

The group was founded by Jim and Ann Berry as they sought to share Jim’s sister Kay’s passion for photography with other special needs adults. Kay lives with Down Syndrome and is a member of the Middle Georgia Camera Club who has won numerous awards for her images.

The ShutterBugs exhibit their images annually at the Cherry Blossom Festival and raise money for their club by selling the prints.

My own brother suffers with both mental and physical disabilities but is unable to function at a level where he could enjoy photography. While I wish he could appreciate photography like the Shutterbugs, it gives me great joy to help other special needs adults with their photography.

If you’d like more information about how you can support the ShutterBugs, you can drop them an email at shutterbugs_macon.bibb@yahoo.com or join their Facebook group.

Here are some of the portraits I made of Jim, Ann, and Kay Berry and some of the Shutterbugs in Macon.

Sharing with the ShutterBugs is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

Click the image above to launch large panorama in a new window

Long exposures of the Ocmulgee swamps at night.

Light painting over Macon.

Ocmulgee National Monument at Night is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

This photo very obviously executes the “rule of thirds“. That method of framing an image has been around forever, well since 1797 at least, and for good reason. In fact, the judge’s comment pointed out exactly why that rule can be so effective:

“There’s a lot of story being told in this photo and it is well captured with the placement of the boy in the left 1/3 while allowing us to view his surroundings in the other 2/3s.“

If you are used to just holding up the camera and pressing the button, I encourage you to take a couple seconds to think about where your subject is in the frame and how it relates to its surroundings.

Bashful is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

The Brick Maker, 1rst Place (Monotone Print)

Because 7 Ate 9, 2nd Place (Color Print)

Augusta’s Heroes, 3rd Place (General Digital)

Sunset over Lake WildWood, Honorable Mention (General Digital)

Floor of Ferns, Honorable Mention (Color Print)

Over Time, Honorable Mention (Creative Digital)

MGCC 2nd Cycle Winners is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

Green Theme is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

During the past year I’ve been making a lot more panoramas and experimenting with some different techniques. It was an honor to be asked to speak to the club and share the tips I’ve learned through trial & error over the years.

You can download the PDF reference guide: Reference Guide to Digital Panoramic Photography

Or flip through the presentation slides by clicking on the image below:

Guide to Digital Panoramic Photography is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

I just found out that it won 3rd place in the end-of-year “Print of the Year” competition. It’s exciting not only to have my work appreciated and recognized but to be able to share the beauty of West Africa with folks here in Middle Georgia.

The Veil is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

My camera club has a competition category called “Creative Digital” and is for photographic images that have been “creatively altered” using imaging software like Photoshop. While I chuckle at the fact that “creative” is only assigned to photos that have been manipulated in Photoshop (often those are the least creative), I decided to take a stab at being “creative.”

The image below was created from two photos I recently took. The planet is from a panorama I shot from the top of Bradley Mountain. Using a “pinching” technique I wrap the panorama in on itself so that it creates a sphere (kind of a 2D version of taking a piece of paper and folding it into a cone). Then I cut Trey out from a photo at Jarrell Plantation and placed him on the planet. Add some noise and make it glow for stars, draw a dot and stretch & curve it for a comet, drop a lens flare in for a super nova, and a dark blue gradient backdrop and Voila! We have our own Little Prince.

I’ll let you know if it is “creative” enough and wins anything.

The Little Prince is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

The first is of Flaming Gorge, Wyoming. I had changed the film in my camera and didn’t advance the roll enough before taking the next shot. The result was a discoloration at the beginning of the negative where the light had leaked in on the film.

The second photo is from Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. After visiting the park we were driving back East and passing through Death Valley. I placed all my film in double ziplock bags and kept them in an ice cooler to avoid any heat damage. Unfortunately, the ice melted and the zip lock bags both had holes in them. When we opened the cooler the film rolls were completely submerge. When the film was developed it revealed very interesting strokes across the photos.

Both of these images were exhibited in the 2004 Gala Corina art show of Tampa, Florida.

Mistakes is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

Photo Scavenger Hunt is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development

With our recent move to Macon I decided to join the Middle Georgia Camera Club (MGCC). It is a well-established organization that has been around for over 68 years and has almost 30 active members. I suggest you check out their website and browse the member galleries; there is some phenomenal stuff in there.

I’m looking forward to making new friends who share my passion for photography. It’ll also be a great opportunity to receive constructive criticism and improve my photography skills.

Joining the Local Camera Club is a post from: William Haun Photography, Video, and Web Development