How do I achieve this effect?

[gathertherosebuds]

I am trying to achieve a certain effect and I'm not sure which lens or filter I need to use to go about it.

When I first saw the effect I thought the the photographer used a fish-eye lens. But I'm certain I'm wrong, because the outskirts of the photograph are not warped, they are just blurred.

As far as I know, the normal fish-eye lens "warps" the border... but in these pictures the border is not warped but very very blurred, leaving only a small point of focus.

Any educated guesses or knowledgeable advice is much appreciated.

Thank you

[edbayani]

could be uv filter smudged with vaseline around the edges leaving the center clear..

[Nicole]

Could be something like a Lensbaby? An example would help, but here are some links to Lensbaby stuff in case it looks like what you're describing (not totally sure though)

Lensbaby - See in a New Way
Flickr: Lensbaby
Flickr: Lensbabies

[gathertherosebuds]

Nicole- Thank you, I will look in to that.

If you visit this photographer's page, the first picture you will see is the effect I am referring to. Whatever he uses makes the photo about 98% blurry.

edbayani- Was that supposed to be a joke?

[gathertherosebuds]

OOPS - forgot the link!

Jason Mize Photography

[dakwegmo]

Looking at the bride on that first page, I think this is more likely a post processing effect rather than something done in camera. The bride and a small area around her are equally sharp, while areas of the image that would be on the same plane as the rest of her are blurry. Even with a tilt shift lens, you wouldn't have elements on the same plane both in and out of focus.

More than likely he duplicates the image on a new layer, applies a guasian blur to the top layer, then masks out the bride from the blurry layer, revealing the sharp image.

Originally Posted by gathertherosebuds

edbayani- Was that supposed to be a joke?

Not a joke, it was a fairly common technique from the film days.

[gathertherosebuds]

dakwegmo -
I see what you're saying now that I have looked at it very closely. Thank you, that shouldn't be too hard...

However I think that Lensbaby Muse with Double Glass Optic (from Lensbabies Shopping Cart / Lensbaby Muse with Double Glass Optic) adds a similar effect but I am slightly confused by its description: "a manual focus SLR camera lens available in mounts for all popular SLR camera bodies."

I own only basic equipment, so maybe someone could help me out here. It's used as a manually focused extension to a lens on a DSLR? Until Nicole's post I had never heard of a Lensbaby.

Please help!

[RLucas]

Look here, and you will find the true answer.
Jason Mize Photography - My Camera Bag
The PC-E lens is a tilt shift, which will allow the selective focus.
The lensbaby is a cheap alternative if you want to try this stuff out.

[gathertherosebuds]

Wow Luke you're a genius. Thank you all!

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by gathertherosebuds

However I think that Lensbaby Muse with Double Glass Optic (from Lensbabies Shopping Cart / Lensbaby Muse with Double Glass Optic) adds a similar effect but I am slightly confused by its description: "a manual focus SLR camera lens available in mounts for all popular SLR camera bodies."

I own only basic equipment, so maybe someone could help me out here. It's used as a manually focused extension to a lens on a DSLR?

Consider it a regular lens. It mounts right on your camera. It just doesn't have auto focus because that would kind of defeat the purpose of the lens and selecting just where you want your selective focus . So, basically what that is saying is that you need to order the right one for your camera (e.g. if you have a Nikon, order the Nikon mount). They are fun to play with. I have one of the older ones where you have to hold it in position while you shoot. The composer looks like it would be much easier to work with