Abstract photography with NO LENS: Refractographs and Reflectographs

[@aldomariaibello8220]

Such a cool concept! By the way, if you're afraid of dust getting on your sensor, you can use a macro reversal ring (which lets you mount a lens backwards with the filter ring) and mount a clear UV filter on that. The extra glass might create some interesting effects as well.

[@Adaptalux]

I'm not sure how it would behave with an extra bit of glass attached, there would probably be a cropping effect around the edges, but it's certainly worth testing if you're worried about sensor dust!

[@nancypeplau9747]

What fun! You always teach me so much Ben! Thanks!

[@Adaptalux]

Glad you enjoyed it Nancy!

[@andream..]

Hi Ben, i never knew lensless photography even existed. I also so excited as I’ll be able to try this soon as today I ordered my very own adaptalux studio!! 😁 Only a little nervous working without the lens tho, will have the blower close by. Thanks for the great video as always 😊 Andrea (Australia🇦🇺😎)

[@Adaptalux]

Yay! Welcome to the club! You will be fine shooting without the lens, just take it off for shooting and pop it back on for breaks and you shouldn't accumulate any dust that can't be easily blown away. Looking forward to hearing about your exploits with the studio!

[@steveirvine9488]

Also interesting is to place a slide photograph in front of the camera instead of a wine glass. In that case, a white light source shining through the pinhole works best.

[@Cintas812]

BEN! You sir are my new experimental photo guy, man this is epic. I have been playing around with CDs, lord knows we never use them and I work at a community college in Washington where I've got a crate of...80,000 blank CDRs so yeah, I experiment. When I get to play again I'll use them with the reflectography, I'm wondering if you've found a photo pure body cap to protect your DSLR when you do this? I've looked all over wondering if that was a thing, no luck yet. Thanks tons Ben, subscribed and watching your whole catalog.

[@Adaptalux]

Glad you enjoyed this one Michal, welcome to the channel! This was a really great shoot. Although we usually cover macro stuff, we do love some experimental shoots too! CDs have some really great properties when it comes to light, putting drops of water on them is fun to split the spectrum up! A few people have asked about protecting the sensor, I'm not aware of any products like that but do let me know if you find one so i can let others know too.

[@anotherperspective3076]

Really cool! Need to try that one day...;)

[@Adaptalux]

It's good fun, but make sure you have your cleaning kit handy!

[@gregorycelis4910]

Excelente, las fotos resultantes son maravillosas

[@MWTH73]

Excellent Brilliant

[@Adaptalux]

Thanks Michael

[@claudinchenchen]

Looks very interesting! Have only a bridge camera though ;-)

[@Adaptalux]

You might still get some interesting abstract photos... probably not quite as strange though!

[@claudinchenchen]

@@Adaptalux Yes, absolutely possible. But I'm more into video. Otherwise, it's great what you show on your channel.

[@nueschi]

Brilliant! 😀😎

[@Adaptalux]

Thanks :)

[@danrichman1]

Adaptalux, could you explain more clearly just how to use multiple light sources? I presume with double or triple exposures? Or is it one long exposure, changing lighting during it? I also assume shutter speed and ISO are a matter of experimentation here.

[@Adaptalux]

Very much experimentation. It depends highly on how far away and how large/powerful your lights are. These were mostly taken at ISO240 1/125, though several were longer exposures. They are all a single exposure, but with two lighting arms at once, slightly offset from one another to create that ghosting effect of the two colors. I wouldn't touch the light once it's set, but if you use live view on your camera, you will see every little change live.

[@soundseen]

Great tips thanks! Are the videos with this effect made in video mode or like a timelapse?

[@Adaptalux]

You can just hit record like normal, what you see is what you get.

[@jesss3914]

I have a Nikon b500 Coolpix can I still do this type of photography? I don't know if I can take off my lens 😅

[@Adaptalux]

I dont think the lens comes off of your camera, you could give it a go with a lens attached and see what happens!

[@stardomee]

not exactly lensless photography but freelensing can also be of interest as an expression of a more experimental photography - I'm only mentioning this because freelensing leaves the sensor exposed for a while as per above video - and no expensive gear is required, for example a basic Nikon d3xxx model and an old Helios lens is all that you need to keep you going

[@Adaptalux]

Very true, I haven't tried freelensing but it's another one for the list of techniques to try!

[@rinoa3108]

Would it help if clingfilm was taped over the camera lens hole to reduce the dust from getting in?

[@Adaptalux]

Probably, but it would also alter your images and probably further distort the light coming in. Try it!

[@cherylcallen3092]

Do I need to do anything different if I am using a DSLR vs a mirrorless? Such as a Mirror lock up.

[@Adaptalux]

You shouldn't need to lock up your mirror. It will flip up automatically when you take a shot, or start video. It's probably better with a DSLR as the mirror will keep some dust off the sensor.

[@robfielding100]

Have you tried a small red, green or blue laser?

[@agnotwot7997]

I was wondering the same thing.

[@Adaptalux]

Even with our own Laser products, we don't recommend shining them directly into the camera like this. Especially with the random nature of how the light focuses, it's not without risk to the sensor.

[@agnotwot7997]

@@Adaptalux Good to know.

[@jeanscotland7749]

I would be to scared to work my camera without a lens. Great video though

[@jeanscotland7749]

@@rusticagenerica dust on sensor & not confident in cleaning it

[@rusticagenerica]

@@jeanscotland7749 No pain? No gain. No dust? No Instagrammable, 1 Billion Likes picture.

[@Adaptalux]

@@jeanscotland7749 As Also mentioned in another comment, there are ways to keep your sensor covered using a reversing ring and a UV filter. Not something I thought of or tried, but it would be a good option if you're worried about dust.

[@ramipo1]

i didnt see you press the botton of the camera ?!???