CHAPTER 8 HOW NEW TECH CHANGES PHOTOGRAPHY^131
Ordinarily, the range of focus
covered by the depth of field is
parallel to the focal plane. When
the lens tilts—forward, back, or
to the sides—as much as 8 to 10
degrees, the range in focus tilts
also, as shown in the three photos
of a medal with different degrees
of tilt. The tilt can let the camera
focus on only one object from
among several that are an equal
distance from the camera.4
Or the tilt can be
used to extend the
range of focus by
covering both near
and distant objects,
as in the photograph
of a highway outside
of Monument Valley.5
Oh, Baby!
Tilt-and-shift lenses often cost more than $1,000. For about $100–$150,
a lens called the Lensbabyprovides some of the thrill of a tilt-and-shift
lens, if not the precision. The Lensbaby consists of adoublet
(a positive lens and a negative lens cemented together)
inside a flexible plastic tube. Aperture is controlled by
dropping disks with different-sized holes into the tube,
where a magnet holds them suspended so they
don’t scratch the lens. Focusing, shifting, and tilt-
ing are done manually—literally manually. The
photographer uses his fingers to move the lens
back and forth and from side to side. Three
fancy bolts let the photographer lock the
twists and turns in place. The result is a
dreamy, impressionistic photograph that
would be difficult to create with any other
lens or even in the digital darkroom using
a tool like Photoshop.