Creative Photography: Freelensing &amp; Reverse Freelensing

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I particularly love artistic photography, as you surely already know if you know me or have read my contributions on my page. In this article I will introduce you to a particularly nice and fun technique and certainly one of the most fascinating and creative techniques: freelensing and reverse freelensing, an approach that can turn any ordinary scene into an extraordinary image.

Freelensing and reverse freelensing are photographic techniques in which you use the lens detached (freelensing) and if you like also turned (reverse freelensing) - very close to the camera. You hold the lens in your hand and while photographing you move and/or tilt it slightly and gently to discover the images it gives you. Don't rush and when you like what you see, shoot. You can manipulate the tilt angle and the distance between the lens and the camera sensor, creating unique blurring effects, light effects and bokeh. The resulting visual effect is similar to selective focus or tilt-shift, but with greater creative freedom. Since the lens is no longer mounted firmly on the camera, the result can be unpredictable. This is one of the aspects that makes freelensing so exciting and challenging for creative photographers: each shot can be completely different from the next and is not predictable at all. Freelensing allows for a variety of visual effects, including:

- Blurred Bokeh: because the focal plane is tilted, a very interesting bokeh effect is achieved. Points of light become blurred and out of focus, often with unique shapes and colours that catch the eye.

- Selective focus: the blur effect can be used to isolate a subject from the rest of the image, giving a feeling of depth and three-dimensionality even in rather flat scenes.

- Creative distortions: The variable distance between the lens and sensor creates distortion and distortion effects, which can result in more artistic and surreal images.

- Lighting effects: Freelensing allows you to play with light in a special way. Because of the space between the lens and the sensor, light can enter from the side of the lens, creating surprising reflections and glares that contribute to the feeling of intimacy or mystery in the images.

For freelensing you don't need much equipment: a camera and a possibly light lens. Also note that when photographing with the lens not attached to the camera, dust/dirt will easily get in. It may be better to use a DSLR camera rather than a mirrorless camera and avoid windy days or places with a lot of dust:

- Choose your lens: you can use any lens that fits your camera, but lenses with a fixed focal length, such as a 50 mm or 85 mm, are among the most common for freelensig. Wide angle lenses can be difficult to handle, while telephoto lenses can give an even more dramatic result. I prefer fixed focal length lenses (even Lensbabies for even more crativity!) because they are light, as you are holding the lens in your hand is definitely a factor not to be underestimated.

· Use the camera in manual mode: as freelensing involves a considerable loss of control over exposure and focus, it is advisable to use the camera in manual mode. Adjust the aperture, shutter speed and ISO to get the correct exposure, and then make adjustments according to the results you get.

· Control the angle of the lens: move the lens up and down, sideways and rotate it as you shoot. Each angle will change the blurring effect and the way light interacts with the image.

· Practice and experiment: freelensig is a technique that requires a lot of practice. The results are not predictable, but precisely this unpredictability can be part of the fun. Try different environments, such as outdoors with natural light or indoors with artificial lighting, to see how the effects change.

· For reverse freelensing turn the lens upside down and you will see that the framing changes, you will have a shallower depth of field and a different focus and distortion than with freelensing.

A few examples of creative use with this technique:

Use freelensing to give your portraits a surreal touch, with blurs that focus attention on - for example - the subject's eyes. With reverse freelensing you can shoot landscapes with strong distortion and close focus, creating images in which reality appears distorted. In Street Photography you can use this technique to add a feeling of mystery to your image, with a blurring effect that changes the perception of the scene.
The two techniques offer us a unique opportunity to explore photography in a creative way, outside the confines of traditional focusing techniques. They can be used to add an artistic touch to landscape, portrait or even street photography, transforming an everyday moment into something extraordinary.

Freelensing also encourages a more intimate connection with the shooting process. The very act of hand-holding the lens and playing with angle and light implies a greater level of artistic awareness and control, which helps develop a deeper sensitivity to the images you create.