When I first picked up a prism and experimented with light and reflections, I had no idea it would become a game-changer in my photography journey. My early attempts were frustrating and far from impressive, but everything changed when I had the opportunity to beta-test Lensbaby’s OMNI Creative Filter System. This experience reignited my passion for reflection and refraction techniques, ultimately helping me refine my skills and embrace the magic of prism photography.

Today, I’m excited to share my best tips and tricks for using prisms in photography. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your creative images to the next level, there's always something new to discover in this mesmerizing technique.

What is Prism Photography?

Prism photography is an artistic technique that involves holding a prism in front of your camera lens to manipulate light. The result? Unique reflections, colorful distortions, and ethereal effects that add depth and intrigue to your images. By experimenting with different prisms, angles, and light sources, you can craft a variety of creative and dreamy visuals.

After weeks of experimenting with prism photography, I finally captured this image that left me completely hooked. Taken with the Lensbaby Multicolor Crystal in September, 2019.

Getting Started: Essential Tips for Prism Photography:

1. Choose the Right Prism

Not all prisms create the same effects. Some split light into vibrant rainbows, while others produce abstract patterns and reflections. Experimenting with different types will help you find the look that best suits your artistic vision. While I own a collection of prisms, my go-to choice is the Lensbaby OMNI Creative Filter System—a versatile, lightweight option designed for photographers who want an easy and controlled way to work with reflections and refractions.

2. Experiment with Angles & Positions

The way you hold and position the prism in relation to your lens will drastically change your results. Try moving the prism closer or farther away, tilting it at different angles, or even rotating it to see how the light bends and interacts with your subject. There’s no wrong way—just playful exploration!

3. Play with Light Sources

Prism photography is all about light manipulation. Natural sunlight often produces the most vibrant effects, while artificial indoor lighting can create subtler, moody tones. Experiment in different environments to discover how light influences the colors, patterns, and depth in your images.

4. Stabilize Your Shot

Balancing both your camera and a prism can be tricky, especially in dynamic shooting situations. A tripod can help keep your composition steady, ensuring sharp and well-framed images. Alternatively, the Lensbaby OMNI System provides an efficient way to mount optical filters hands-free, allowing you to focus entirely on creativity.

5. Post-Processing Enhancement

After capturing your shots, post-processing can help amplify the magic. Adjusting contrast, saturation, and exposure can enhance the light patterns and reflections created by the prism. Play around with these settings to bring out the best in your images.

Creative Ways to Use Prism Photography

Prism effects can elevate different photography styles. Here are some ideas to explore:

Portrait photography

Use a prism to introduce dreamy reflections and colorful distortions around your subject, adding an artistic flair to traditional portraits.Using a prism in portrait photography can create a unique and creative effect. By holding the prism in front of the lens, you can create a reflection of your subject that adds depth and interest to the image. Experiment with different angles and positions to create a variety of effects.

Adding light leaks and streaks, as seen in this portrait, can introduce an intriguing element and transform an ordinary headshot into a visually captivating masterpiece.

Landscape photography

Introduce prisms into landscapes to create a surreal atmosphere, reflecting parts of the scene in unexpected ways or enhancing light flares.

The landscape is painted with a spectrum of colors. (Taken with a Lensbaby Crystal.)

Consider how unremarkable this picture would appear without the captivating light sparkles produced by a prism.

Still life photography

Add intriguing shapes and patterns to still-life compositions by refracting and reflecting light through a prism.

By incorporating reflected light into this scene, I was able to infuse a magical quality into the image, enhancing its overall impact.

Troubleshooting: Avoiding Unwanted Reflections & Glare

While prisms create stunning effects, they can sometimes cause unwanted reflections or glare. To minimize these distractions:

Adjust the angle of your prism to reduce light bouncing directly into the lens.
Use a lens hood or a piece of cardboard to block stray light sources.
Experiment with different prism sizes and shapes to find the one that works best for your desired effect.

Are you interested in learning more about creative photography techniques? Join my free Facebook group Develop with Light and find out more!

Final Thoughts: Unlock Your Creativity with Prism Photography

Prism photography is an exciting and playful way to elevate your images and experiment with light in creative ways. Whether you’re working with portraits, landscapes, or still life, prisms offer endless opportunities for unique compositions and artistic expression. The more you practice, the more intuitive and rewarding this technique becomes.

Are you ready to dive deeper into creative photography? Join my free Facebook group, Develop with Light, where photographers come together to share inspiration, tips, and challenges!

Join the group

Looking to expand your creative toolkit? Use my exclusive code WRECKHORN for a 10% discount on any Lensbaby product!

Happy experimenting and keep exploring the magic of light!

If you enjoyed this post on creative photography techniques, I invite you to explore my friend’s blog post about a NICU photo session share, a heartfelt look at capturing precious early moments.