With Love from Paris: A Twist on Street Photography
In November, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a week in Paris, immersing myself in the city's charm and capturing its essence through my lens. I attended La Vie Enchantée, a workshop led by Catherine Just, where five days of friendship, inspiration, café au lait, and laughter combined to create an unforgettable experience. Adding to the magic was my lens of choice—the Lensbaby Twist 60—which turned Paris into my personal photography playground.
A New Perspective on Street Photography
Walking the autumn-colored streets of Paris was a dream come true. But experiencing them through the Lensbaby Twist 60 took that dream to another level. Unlike conventional lenses, every Lensbaby is fully manual, meaning you control both the aperture and focus by hand. This alone forces a more deliberate approach to photography.
What sets the Twist 60 apart is its stunning circular bokeh, which surrounds your subject when shot wide open. This optical effect draws the viewer’s eye into the frame, isolating the subject in a way that feels almost dreamlike. But achieving this look requires patience—manual focusing slows you down, demanding a more thoughtful engagement with composition, light, and movement.
Many photographers equate street photography with quick reflexes and split-second captures. My approach, however, was different. Rather than chasing moments, I wandered, absorbed, and let the city reveal itself to me. This mindful, almost meditative process allowed me to connect more deeply with the spirit of Paris. It was like a yoga session wrapped in the French way of life.
Seeing Light Like Music
The slower I move with my camera, the more in tune I become with the atmosphere of a place. Light, texture, and movement start to unfold in an intuitive way. With the Twist 60, every frame felt like a lyrical expression—light became music, and I found myself dancing through the streets with my camera.
From Paris to the Lensbaby Blog
This journey and my creative approach to capturing Paris later found their way to the Lensbaby blog, where I shared my experience with a wider audience of photographers who embrace artistic experimentation. Being featured there reinforced my passion for creative photography and my role in the Lensbaby community—both as an educator and an artist who loves pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.
If you’re a photographer seeking to see the world differently, I highly recommend experimenting with Lensbaby lenses. The Twist 60 in particular invites you to slow down, be intentional, and embrace the magic of manual photography. Whether in the streets of Paris or your own neighborhood, taking the time to truly see can transform the way you capture the world.