Photographer’s Secret Weapon – Vaseline
Vaseline effect #1 - Eva Polak
Quick note from Roy – Photography tips and tricks are welcomed here and if you feel you have something to offer other photographers, feel welcome to visit this page for the guidelines. Now on with this amazing tip….,
Vaseline does wonders, not only for your skin, but can also help you to create impressionist masterpieces. You can transform just about any subject into something interesting and exciting. If you like the soft, poetic look in your photographs this simple technique is for you.
You will need:
a tripod, a skylight filter or piece of clear glass that will fit into your Cokin filter holder, (You can ask your framer to cut few pieces of glass to fit into your Cokin Filter holder), Vaseline, and a soft, absorbing cloth.
Technique:
1. Place your camera on a tripod and set it to a manual focus.
2. Compose your image.
Vaseline effect#2 - Eva Polak
3. Place a tiny amount of Vaseline on the glass or filter
4. As you look through viewfinder, smear the jelly in different directions,
using your finger or a cotton bud, until you achieve the desired effect.
(Horizontal strokes on the filter will reveal vertical lines in your scene and vice versa).
5. Adjust your exposure settings and focus if needed.
6. Release the shutter.
7. Check the preview for the result. Repeat if necessary.
Note: Vaseline can damage your camera or lens if it gets on them so remember to wipe your finger.
Play with this technique for a while to discover how it works with a different subject and light condition.
Have fun!
Auckland based fine art photographer who specializes in impressionist photography. Author of two books “At the beach” and “Impressionist Photography Techniques”
John Milleker
Eva, another old trick from back in the day was to use pantyhose stretched over the lens to simulate a soft focus filter. Black works the best. It’s more of an even effect though where Vaseline has peaks and valleys on the filter.
Another technique that may be of interest to readers is the Tony Sweet ‘Swoop’. Basically you give your camera some extra shutter time and swoop it while making the exposure. Swooping vertically in a forest for example will give an effect similar to your effect #2 image above. It’s best to swoop with lines but that’s certainly not a rule!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:32 amWayne Archer
Thanks for the tip, Eva. I can remember using this in my early days of photograpy, but had forgotten about it. I have used the hosiery over the lens, but it cuts out too much of the image for me. I’m really enjoying using your techniques…got your book yesterday.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:26 am