As some of you may know, I’m a bit of a blur freak, and have used lensbabies for a couple of years. Last year I bought a couple of hand made bendy lenses from a lovely gentleman in the US, who is even more bendy mad than I! These lenses were made with bits and pieces, very low tech, and very difficult to use.
I struggled with them for a few months, but then was distracted by something else shiny….can’t remember what now…anyway, to cut a long story short, I spoke to Matt Penfold about bendy lenses, since he said he might try and make one. I mentioned that I had a lensbaby travelling the country, currently with Adriana, but that I also had these Melholga lenses that he might be interested in.
I posted one down to him, he did his Mcgyver thing on it, and all of a sudden I have an amazing little tool that works like a treat…..here are some images I shot today with the fabulous Miss Bertie Page
These images are straight from the camera….unbelievably gorgeous, and although a little vignetted….I’m just blown away by them!
Thanks Matt!!!!!!
Sharon Hammond
Stop it – I can’t even make the real deal work & ur using home-made lenses…I’m gareeeen!
Mel Brackstone...:
you’re not trying treasure….you know you can do it :)
robpixaday
WOW!!!!!
Bendy lenses? Never knew about them. What amazing shots!!!!!
Mel Brackstone...:
Soz, there’s a link to the bendy lenses now :)
Silvia Ganora
Oh my! These are gorgeous shots! Great tones and color!
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Silvia!
Alf Caruana
these are amazing, I cant stop looking at them
Mel Brackstone...:
They’ve got me mesmerised too!
Rosie Appleton
Looks like you had a ball Mel :-) A fabulous series, they look painted and have a lovely “feel” about them!!
Mel Brackstone...:
We had a great day, Miss Bertie is fabulous!
jemimalovesbigted
very special indeed! the shots are magical… oh the things I could learn from sitting down and supping a coffee with you about lenses. when you coming to victoria again??
Mel Brackstone...:
I know NOTHING about lenses, Matt hs to keep giving me the technical details….cos I keep forgetting them….numbers you see….they don’t compute..
Melinda Kerr
Straight out of the camera?? Mel that’s incredible. You should teach that sort of thing (sorry just being the cheeky Mel :) :)
Mel Brackstone...:
teaching assumes you can explain what you’re doing….LOL!
Soxy Fleming
gorgeous…you got some red material?
Mel Brackstone...:
Miss Bertie brought some amazing red velvet with tassels!
Jeff Burns
Never tryed one but man that looks fantastic. I do love the effect
Mel Brackstone...:
all you need is some bendy rubber stuff, and a few other things….Matt has a journal about it
Melinda Kerr
Ha! Well regardless Mel, I love your work :)
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Mel :)
Melinda Kerr
PS (I am a professional writer so I can help out :)
Mel Brackstone...:
heh
Paul Vanzella
THESE ARE EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS!
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks! I’m still shocked and stunned at how good some of them are! Still a low percentage of good shots though….lol!
sandra ellen
Far out, these are gorgeous Mel, soft and feminine….a lovely set.:)
sandra
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Sandra!
Matt Penfold
Wow Mel you really have made the bendyloupe sing, I’m absolutely stoked by what you’ve done with it, these shots are gorgeous… and so is Bertie :-)
Mel Brackstone...:
hey Matt…..low percentage still, but when I nailed it…..it’s gorgeous! I can’t thank you enough! Would you like me to send a couple by email?
Pene Stevens
awesome shots !!!
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Pene!
Matt Penfold
Sure would Mel, I love them, they remind me of one of those viewers on Manly wharf when I was a kid, sixpence to see the pretty girls…
Mel Brackstone...:
Sixpence ey? That’s a bit rich? :D
midzing
gorgeous work Mel….
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Wendy!
sandra ellen
Mel…i was also going to say that they remind me of the ‘peek a boo’ viewers of childhood, Matt is right…! just lovely (not Maatt, the images :))
Mel Brackstone...:
I must have led such a sheltered life…..LOL!
(and matt is lovely :D)
Jason Asher
Unreal Mel, great work! I’ll have to delve into this strange business some day :D
Mel Brackstone...:
It’s not for the feint hearted, Jason :)
jemimalovesbigted
ahhh you are way too humble!! gorgeous stuff all the same Mel x
Mel Brackstone...:
I will make a date for the next time I’m in Melb :)
Louise Cooke
fantastico!! love love it!
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks so much Lou!
Mark Ross
Wonderful images Mel. Tintype like.
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Mark, will look up tintype!
Anne McGinn
These are gorgeous – the colours are amazing – what great art
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Anne!
funkyfacestudio
oh my those are beautiful Mel ! love the result. Matt always has something up his sleeve :)
Mel Brackstone...:
He’s a marvel :) Thanks Lisa!
rjcolby
Wow Mel. These are simply stunning. Old time look with the perfect model for the job. Very well done…
Mel Brackstone...:
Bertie is indeed the perfect model for this, thanks Dick!
Diane Schuster
They have a vintage look to them, cool! Dee
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Dee, I’m very pleased with the result!
Sean Farragher
fantastic images
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Sean :)
Dave Pearson
although a little vignetted
You say that like it’s a bad thing.
These photos are so good they make me want to cry. In a manly way, of course.
Mel Brackstone...:
Soz, some of the ones you didn’t see were badly affected by the edge of the lens showing….because I bent the bellows too far. The ones you’re seeing here are the good ones….
Hands you a hanky :)
Thanks Dave.
richiedean
You’re well on the way to making flickering, jumping old movies here Mel …. put these in windows movie maker …… they look incredibly like pinhole camera images to me. classic and very artistic ……….. :))
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Richie, I am sooooo analogue-challenged….I haven’t seen much pinhole work….and I have a lens to try it, but prefer to do my studio work hand-held….which definitely means no pinhole…
Sue Kane
Awesome Mel….the bar just keeps lifting higher and higher…love them! :0)
Mel Brackstone...:
Is that what I keep hitting my noggin on? Thanks wongy :)
Rachel Davison
wow – these images are absolutely gorgeous – a lolly shop!!!
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Rachel!
Lisa Jewell
Oh red shoes
for me? hehe
how very cool….and beautiful xxx
Mel Brackstone...:
Just for you. :) Thanks Lisa :)
Geoff Coleman...
Brilliant and hilarious series – you two work so well together and this latest gadget is a real value-add – love it’s blur vignette.
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks Geoff, always looking for new angles :)
Barbara Cliff
Gosh! its brilliiant and so mysteriously technical —full of admiration at your exploration of stuff quite beyond me
Mel Brackstone...:
suprisingly low tech, Barbara, but thanks!
Ann Van Breemen
Oh Magoo, you’ve done it again. Always surprising us with something different and brilliant. I think the vignette is perfect for the style of costume Miss Bertie wears. Excellent. Just like a Saloon Hall dancer.:)
Mel Brackstone...:
That’s exactly the feel I thought we attained too, thanks Ann!
Leanna Lomanski
Well you’ve certainly got it down to a fine art!
Mel Brackstone...:
Thanks, this was my first time using it, I sure hope I can get better! :)
Adriana Glackin
Totally, totally, totally beautiful! I want these in a book. Now. You know they just blow me away! ;D
Mel Brackstone...:
a book…..hmmm….I’ll see what I can do :)
Adriana Glackin
Really?! :D
claps hands together with glee
Karen Cougan
I’m with Shaz,
beautiful Mel
xkc
Thomas Hanson
Great stuff. Makes me a little nostalgic for the great PHOTO LAB INDEX of the early 60’s and all the home made lens and cameras I made. Now there was a formula for photo porcelain I’m still trying to find……….
Thomas Hanson
Great stuff. Makes me a little nostalgic for the great PHOTO LAB INDEX of the early 60’s and all the home made lens and cameras I made. Now there was a formula in the old book for photo porcelain I’m still trying to find. I found this old 30’s tombstone with the most lovely B&W porcelain photo looking like it was just taken……….
Rebecca Tun
stunning results!!