The #travelingburnsideproject.

Last month I had the privilege of being part of Lensbaby's #travelingburnsideproject. Not familiar with the project? Then let me explain....

Lensbaby are an award winning creative effect lens company based in America. One of their lenses is the Burnside 35 which 'creates images with a bright central area of sharp focus and striking color rendition — surrounded by subtle, swirling bokeh and vignette.' An example of this is above.

In the early spring Lensbaby posted asking for photographers to apply for a worldwide project where the chosen photographers would borrow the Burnside 35 lens for 2 weeks to photograph as they wanted to and try it out. I applied thinking 'why not' and I got an email to say I was one of the chosen photographers....

Model above: Alice Kate

So I had the idea to set up my own project to use the #burnside35 during it's time with me in the UK. My idea was the #whitetopproject. To photograph as many women as I could in the same white top using the Burnside 35 lens.

I didn't know what to expect using a Lensbaby lens as I had never used one before. In fact, in all honesty, I knew very little about the lens or Lensbaby but I was keen to challenge myself with new opportunities to be creative and #seeinanewway.

Model above: Lucy Frayne.

So the day the lens arrived I was really excited, opening the box and finding the lens with a note book with handy hints from the previous lens user. (Thanks Gavin). I couldn't wait to get started with my #whitetopproject. I took some test shots of my son (see pic 1) and experienced for the first time the lens' ability to make the background swirl.

Model: Kitty Stone Kelly.

I was wary throughout my project that I didn't want my images to look too gimmicky. It did make me question the whole idea of my project with the lens. But, in actual fact, you can control the level of effects by using a slider on the side of the lens. I kept the effects to being quite subtle with the change in colour (vignetting) or slight swirl. Even with no swirl it gave a depth to the images which I found to be visually appealing.

Model: Laura Keddie.

It was great to see the personalities of each model shine through in the images. The white top worked well as it had beautiful detail and fancy flowing sleeves that were definitely a feature

Model: Lydia Heeps.

At the end of the two weeks I had to pack up the Burnside 35 and send it on its continuing journey - the next stop was Belgium. I was sorry to see it go as I definitely feel that it pushed my creativity and helped me to grow as a photographer by being part of the #travelingburnsideproject. Thank you Lensbaby for the experience.