Artistic expression happens with whatever camera is in your hand. Lensbaby’s LM-10 Sweet Spot Lens for iPhone 4 through iPhone 6, as well as Android smartphones, provides the beautiful soft focus Lensbabys are known for while giving you the flexibility of a smaller camera! New equipment is always a treat and when it’s priced at $69.95 I can better justify a fun little smartphone lens to break out of a rut. And let’s face it, nothing is more fun than using something new to re-energize!
To get started with the Sweet Spot Lens there are two simple steps. First, adhere the lens to your phone with the traditional smartphone mount, a sticky magnetic ring. This method isn’t my favorite, due to the case on my phone, but Lensbaby thought ahead and accounted for this. They created an innovative iPhone mount for $9.95 which also works with any other iPhone lenses that you might like to try or currently own. The second step is to download the Lensbaby app. Lensbaby’s focus is one of a kind and since the camera in your phone isn’t used to this type of focusing, the app provides new capabilities. Switching focal points is as simple as double-tapping the screen, allowing you to move from center focus to other sweet spot modes. Spot metering and focusing can be done on two different areas within an image and the app allows you to choose the areas quickly while providing the option to lock in the exposure. White balance can also be controlled through the app.
After you’ve gotten some pictures under your belt, share and connect with other users using the #lbm10 hashtag. I find this to be particularly helpful when getting to know a new piece of gear because joining a community of like-minded photographers while practicing and creating your art provides grounds for further growth and may even spark more inspiration!
Speaking of inspiration, I chatted with Caroline Jensen (photos pictured above), instructor of Clickin Moms University course Step By Step with Lensbaby and she loves this lens, which is all I needed to hear! She said, “I love the LM-10 because it offers a completely unique view of the world and turns my phone into an amazing artistic tool.”
