Howto: Freelensing Photograpy Tutorial – 6 steps to Free Tilt Shift Effects

Freelensing probably isn’t something many have heard of, but the effect it creates however is something many will know, love and wish they could create. Freelensing creates an effect extremely similar to that of the tilt shift lens. Brilliant I hear you cry, how do I do it? Well I’m about to tell you, however before attempting it, you need to be extremely careful as it can easily cause damage to your camera.

Freelensing simply is freeing the lens, from the camera. That means taking the lens from the camera and shooting. This is how the effect is created, now I can imagine at this point that many are extremely reluctant to do this with their pretty DSRL’s, but why not give it a shot? With the right care and attention you can get some amazing shots! Infact it’s something I intend to bring to my wedding photography in Cornwall.

How to and my tips and tricks:

1. Start by choosing your subject and setting up a composure that will allow for an out of focus area.
2. Exposure. Make sure you have this nailed as soon as the lens is off, you wont want to be making adjustments.
3. Focus. Use auto focus to grab your subject before you attempt anything further, and stay still – with your subject still as well!
4. Securely hold your camera (have it round your neck aswell!) and unclip your lens and turn it to the point where its ready to take off.
5. Look through your viewfinder and slowly pull ONE CORNER OR ONE SIDE of your lens away from the camera. Now we are not talking about a long distance, mere millimeters. The slightest movement will change the focal plane and give you the effect you desire. Key here is to do all this without looking at the camera, but through the lens to grab the shot.
6. Shoot! – Grab that awesome shot!

6 steps seems like nothing and it isn’t. It’s easy to do but hard to master. It’s really not for everyone, a lot of people will worry about dirt in their cameras and dropping a lens. You just have to be careful and sensible about it. I have done this quite extensively and never once had a problem! But please be careful, it is risky and I take no responsibility for anything that does go wrong, so it’s on your heads!

Here’s what I came up with on my first try in my back garden way back!