There are plenty of people who enjoy taking photographs but those who enjoy experimental photography are in a different league to those who simply enjoy snapping away at Christmas.

But whilst the idea of playing with long exposure, infra-red or an array of special lenses may seem like something best left to the professionals, it can be surprisingly easy.

Here’s a guide to the kind of effects that can be achieved by daring to try something that little bit different.

Long exposure

In photographs with a normal length exposure, the camera shutter opens and closes very quickly capturing the image in an instant.

However, there are some circumstances which can make this difficult, such as night photography. By switching off the flash and blasting up the exposure, the image is bathed in light which is captured over a longer period rather than just a split second.

The most common use of long exposure is to create a more unusual picture by merging movement with sharp lines.

When you take pictures using long exposure, the components which have remained still will be in high definition with clear edges whilst in direct contrast, any moving subjects will be a blur. This can create simply stunning effects when used deliberately.

Some of the more typical long exposure shots include lights such as fireworks, car headlights and lasers. The final shot tracks the movement of the light source creating an eerie and ethereal image. To make things even spookier, if taken at night using long exposure, a person holding a light source will not show up in the shots unless they are specifically lit up too – think of the fun you could have with that…!

Long exposure isn’t just useful for night shots though, water makes a perfect muse. It is also possible to get some freaky and funny photos by using long exposure whilst taking a picture of a person moving, or even blinking!

Have some fun playing with different targets and see the different effects you can create simply by varying the length of time the shutter is left open.

The long exposure captures an almost magical effect in the swirling water

Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/daedicurus/3707134696/

 

Infra-red lens

If an infra-red lens sounds like the kind of thing more likely to be seen on a TV police show, you are in for a bit of a surprise.

Infra-red lenses are a popular addition that add a bizarre twist to the final picture and make use of the light which is all around but usually not visible to the human eye.

A digital camera can capture infra-red light whilst simultaneously filtering out wavelength light, creating an image lit in a way which looks rather surreal. You may need to change the shutter speed to get the maximum effect; somewhere around 1/8 and 1/15 is usually quite effective. To prevent the blurring that altering the shutter speed can sometimes create, you may want to also use a tripod.

The end result will look like you have digitally changed the image, with glowing eyes, strange looking plants and people that look as if they are possessed!

Special lens

However, there are many different types of effects which can be achieved with the help of a specialised lens, with the end result being vastly different in each case.

Fisheye: this lens takes its name from the ultra-wide view a fish would have from its underwater view. Able to create panoramic images, they distort space perception, with the final picture looking familiar yet somehow very unique.

3D imaging: also known as a stereoscopic lens, this captures a pair of pictures and combines them to create a perception of 3D from two regular 2D images. This is achieved by the use of aspects from both the right and left eye which allows the brain to create depth in the final photo.

Soft focus: not quite as popular as it used to be due to the increased popularity of photographic software which allows the image to be manipulated afterwards, this lens is popular particularly with portrait and fashion photographers. Technically it involves an imperfection in the lens, and this is turn allows the image to be subtly blurred creating the appearance of smoothing out skin tones.

 

A beautiful panorama fisheye style

Image source: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3035/5873974669_714669f7ae_m.jpg

 

Conclusion

For anyone who enjoys taking photographs, different lenses could well be worth considering. Although experimental photography may sound complex, there is a wide range of weird, wonderful and downright wacky effects which can be achieved simply by switching the lens. Who said the camera never lies?!

Image credits: Robert Mynard and Kain Kalju

Tom Reynolds – a passionate photographer and photobooth hire service manager – likes to wrap his mind around new photo technics and ideas while working with photographers in London, UK.