Through the looking glass

Mel Brackstone

Through the looking glass

Yesterday was, quite simply, a rotten day in many ways, however I did have a very short time with the lovely Arnavaz, who came to my studio to be photographed by a couple of friends. They were still at it by the time I arrived home from work, so I grabbed the first camera that I could find quickly, and started shooting.

Turns out it was the Canon 5D, and the lens on it was the Lensbaby composer at f/4. This was my first go with the lens, apart from a couple of shots in class, and I’m VERY impressed!!!

Seascapes
New Zealand
Infrared
Landscapes
People

Through the looking glass belongs to the following groups:

Beige is death!, Lensbaby and Riginals Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Through the looking glass by Mel Brackstone
Through the looking glass by Mel Brackstone
  • Susan Grissom

    Susan Grissom

    like the effect a lot… great stuff mel

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    Thanks, Susan!

  • John Conway

    John Conway

    like the repetition of stripes on the seat and socks Mel

    LB comp gives sweet results :)

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    I think even YOU would like the LB composer johno….tis just the easiest little lens to get working….both Nicole and amko had great fun with it today….

  • Sue Kane

    Sue Kane

    Cool!

  • Tom Gomez

    Tom Gomez

    Great effect Mel …

  • ziko

    ziko

    There is a few things about this Mel. not the photo. that’s great. it really brings you into the scene and from there anything can happen. Its a bit horror like.
    but more from your words at the side of the picture. You have a studio and the FIRST camera ( There is more) you can crap is the 5D. I mean the hasselblatt was just out of reach? Can I marry you. Oh crab I allready am married. Ah shite I mosey on with my 400D.

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    What can I say, it was raining heavily, two of my cameras were lying on the floor in the back seat of my car…..I just reached in and grabbed one….and I’m already married too :)

  • BYRON

    BYRON

    I love this!

    I am a very big fan of blurry, out of focus, and distorted images. This is waaay cool!

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    I’m glad, I would love to specialise in blurry, out of focus and distorted images….they’re so much more interesting, imho :)

  • mausue

    mausue

    So surreal. Great shot!!

  • BYRON

    BYRON

    I am thinking of building a Pinhole this weekend in my Dad’s workshop. Something nice, out of Teak or Cedar, with brass catches. I love the way pinhole looks.

    Now all I need is to get an instant film holder from polaroid or Fuji, because I don’t wanna develop negs.

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    Pinhole images are indeed very inviting, but i’ll be doing mine in digital….cos I don’t wanna develop negs eiether!

  • John Conway

    John Conway

    am waiting for Lensbaby to send me one to evaluate :))

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    Good luck matey heh

  • BYRON

    BYRON

    yeah, I am gonna convert a lens cap so I can do pinhole digital too, I just wanna build a camera. Maybe I should offer that as a business idea. Its quite easy.

  • Mizz1

    Mizz1

    this is really cool! nice lines and patterns.. love the pic overall! very magical feel…

  • -Lilith-

    -Lilith-

    A wonderful image Mel. Dreamlike… And it makes me think of a fairytale I used to love when I was a child (but I don’t recall the title of it…). Just beautiful!

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    Alice in Wonderland?

  • Jan Piller

    Jan Piller

    Oh very cool Mel! I agree with Lilith – very dreamlike quality.

  • Matthew Stewart

    Matthew Stewart

    Oh very nice Mel, very nice indeed.

  • Di Dowsett

    Di Dowsett

    very cool!!!!
    xx

  • rjcolby

    rjcolby

    Alice is growing taller… Isn’t Composer a sweet lens? So much easier than before. Interesting how the tiles morph into tire, (tyre), treads. This fits well with your blur phase. Love it.

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    Thanks Dick, it is indeed a sweet little thing. I have yet to try the other optics fully, but the double glass does give a very reliable result.

  • Silvia Ganora

    Silvia Ganora

    Coll shot! Like the blur effect and the color and comp. Like everything! :)

  • micklyn

    micklyn

    sooo cool! congrats on a great shot ( :

  • Paul Tupman

    Paul Tupman

    Fantastic effect Mel.. I really like this.
    The perspective and blur really plays with your notion of scale here. Love the processing and tones in this. Brilliant work.

  • Denis Molodkin

    Denis Molodkin

    Fantastic result, great performance!

  • mimi yoon

    mimi yoon

    so you ended your yesterday with not so rotten ending after all… dreamy and magical image, mel… wish i could do this… : )

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    Thanks mimi, yes, the day turned out a few little gems after all :)

  • Deborah Parkin

    Deborah Parkin

    just love this Mel – I have always admired your use of lensbaby (never as easy as people think) – gorgeous colours too.

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    The new lensbaby composer is an absolute dream to use, Deb, so much easier!!! Everyone in my classes have all agreed after trying both…..

  • Jennifer Potter

    Jennifer Potter

    Awesome work!

  • natalia martin de pablos

    natalia martin...

    gorgeous work

  • Paul Vanzella

    Paul Vanzellafounder

    well then… what a result!!!! Love the feel you get from this lens…!

  • JimFilmer

    JimFilmer

    wicked efects Mel – like a fairytale

  • Peggy Sue Harrington

    Peggy Sue Harr...

    this is amazing and inspiring. i love the lensbaby composer too! beautifully done.

  • Rosalie Dale IPA

    Rosalie Dale IPA

    This is somewhere between a dream and a nightmare for me!! Very evocative result Mel.

  • TextureoftheSin

    TextureoftheSin

    Love the effect!

  • mydogmax

    mydogmax

    Mel this is so gorgeous, maybe i should trek up to brisbane to join your class! Love the lensbaby its amazing, do they have them for nikons?

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    They’re made for all SLR cameras, and even medium format, as well as movie cameras.

  • Lorraine Creagh

    Lorraine Creagh

    I’ve been checking out this lens in the Apr/May How to Digital Photography & Design and on the internet.

    I certainly will be putting this on my list of must haves. Great effect!!!

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    It’s one of the best ways to get your phojo moving….or is for me, anyway :) Check out the lensbaby forum for more inspiration

  • Nicole Goggins

    Nicole Goggins

    oh yeah it’s up!!! love it – instant fav :-)

  • mydogmax

    mydogmax

    thanks Mel!

  • Sharon Hammond

    Sharon Hammond

    Coooool. Luv this Mel

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    You’d love the new lensbaby treasure!! It’s so much easier to use than LBO!!! You’ll nail LBO too though, specially with f/4 :)

  • jemimalovesbigted

    jemimalovesbigted

    So Good!

  • Jodie Johnson

    Jodie Johnson

    wow, this is stunning, beautiful tones, blur and composition.

  • Lance Leopold

    Lance Leopold

    This is the best lensbaby shot i have seen,Mel,love the floor tiles and socks!!

  • Anthony Mancuso

    Anthony Mancuso

    nicely done Mel, great work

  • greenfrog153

    greenfrog153

    Very interesting shot Mel.

  • John Pitman

    John Pitman

    Nice composition Mel.

  • Belinda Leopold

    Belinda Leopold

    Mighty fine work here Mel!!!!

  • woof

    woof

    woooooow!! this is great!! you see – a rotten day as you said but at the end you created something beautiful!!! good for you!!!

  • Geoff Coleman - Landscapes

    Geoff Coleman...

    Oh tres Alice!! – what a perfect effect for the opium tale – you are such an adventurer Mel!

  • Wendi Donaldson

    Wendi Donaldson

    SUPER shot, Mel….love the lines, patterns and B&W…and the title too!
    Hope your day got better after this, girl!!

  • Vicki Ferrari

    Vicki Ferrari

    Wow! Lovely work! That Lensbaby looks pretty amazing too! (of course, you need a talented operator to use it!!) So creative, Mel!

  • Tracey Mac

    Tracey Mac

    Mel I missed this somehow….......and I love it, such a fairy tale like quality….....you should do so many more of these, fantastic image!!

  • Louise Cooke

    Louise Cooke

    gees, love this..the blurring, the tones, the patterns…makes for such a compelling image Mel.. Would love to play with one of these lenses – your image is inspiring!

  • ~ Ademac

    ~ Ademac

    Marvelous Mel….....l so want to work with this model, wonderful idea.

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    She’s great, Ade, you’ll love her costumes and attitude :)

  • DavidAmosPhotography

    DavidAmosPhoto...

    Excellent shot Mel, great colour use here.

  • Colleen Milburn

    Colleen Milburn

    Bloody brilliant, Mel – easy fave :)))

  • Kelly d

    Kelly d

    Great work :)

  • Ritu Lahiri

    Ritu Lahiri

    great effect

  • Ingrid *

    Ingrid *

    great effect on the colours especially and the dreamy look! cool

  • Karen Cougan

    Karen Cougan

    mmmmm, great lens to play with Mel,
    love this
    xkc

  • bellmusker

    bellmusker

    This is fabulous, Mel….love every aspect of it. And I crave that amazing chair! Hope your day wasn’t too rotten in the end….

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    Thanks Bell, it turned out ok, cos I managed a couple of decent shots :)

  • Cathi Norman

    Cathi Norman

    Cool image!!

  • Jeff Stroud

    Jeff Stroud

    This is a fun, interesting capture… as for one camera from the next I have not had the opportunity to experience the differences… I got what I got, and I make the most of it…

  • jacqleen

    jacqleen

    so so so COOL…............wow!

  • simonesphotos

    simonesphotos

    Thems the goods Mel, superb focus and treatment!!

  • chijude

    chijude

    Fascinating result!!

  • Naomi Mawson

    Naomi Mawson

    Love this Mel!

  • x- pose

    x- pose

    Wonderful work, Mel!

  • Michael Douglass

    Michael Douglass

    agreed, wonderful.

  • Garry S

    Garry S

    Great Mel….often the first or the last shot are the ones that appeal most for some reason. Maybe it’s because of the spontaneous moment, something about the rather unplanned or unprepared.

  • Sean Farragher

    Sean Farragher

    fantastic

  • Anne O'Connor

    Anne O'Connor

    Like it a lot Mel. Well done.

  • Scott d'Almeida

    Scott d'Almeida

    stunning,

  • maremarie

    maremarie

    Wow,,,, I think I gotta get a lensbaby! :) Really great colours and lighting in this one, too! :)

  • Trish Woodford

    Trish Woodford

    Wow, I could be favouriting all day, this is wonderful, love the selective focus and great composition :))

  • midzing

    midzing

    love this Mel,,,, wonderful socks!! :))

  • Mel Brackstone replied

    LOL….I think she bought these in Melbourne! :)

  • ys-eye

    ys-eye

    Awesome!

  • Elizaday

    Elizaday

    Hey mate, great work, and look at all the comments! Well done x

  • Garry Hannah

    Garry Hannah

    Great effect ith the lensbaby.

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