Hello Again! It's me Rachel from Moonflowers Photography
here to talk a bit about TTV. Have no idea what that is? Well, you know
all those amazing photos you've been seeing with the heavy black frame
around them? They are ttvs. That stand for "Through the Viewfinder".
This is when you take an old camera that has the viewfinder on top,
like a Kodak Duaflex for example, and point the lens of your digital
camera through that viewfinder and take a photo of whatever you pointed
your old camera at. Sound complicated? It doesn't have to be.First,
look around your local flea markets, thrift stores or antique malls.
You'll likely find the kind of camera you need. Perhaps you already
have on in your own camera collection? I use a Kodak Duaflex,like I
mentioned above. I like it because it has an open viewfinder on top,
meaning it has no lid, or cover to get in the way. Here is a photo of
my Duaflex:
Of
course there are a bunch of other cameras you could try. Like Argus,
Lubitel, Brownies... as long as there is a viewfinder on top, you can
try it! The first time I tried it, I simply pointed the Duaflex at a
bunch of flowers, held my digital above the Duaflex, and shot. Here is
the result. Not great, but we all have to start somewhere.
If
you're using a point and shoot, you'll need a macro setting, and if
you're using a DSLR, you'll need a macro lens. Now for the slightly
strange and daunting part.You'll need to block the light from getting
between your digital lens,and the viewfinder of the other camera.
Otherwise, you'll get a bunch of reflections in the photo.These light
blockers are commonly referred to as "contraptions".Usually made from
items you can find at home such as a cereal box, and some electrical
tape. How fancy you get is up to you. Or how not fancy. You can use a
tripod to keep either one of your cameras steady, or you can wing it
and just wield two cameras. There is a great tutorial on these
contraptions here. Personally
I use a foam tube to block the light- I cut a hole for the lens of the
Duaflex, and I point my dslr down through the tube. I'm not into taping
stuff to my cameras. But hey- this is supposed to be fun, so you do it
however you want! Play around, experiment! Here is a photo of a
contraption made by Russ Morris. (He is a wonderful photographer!):
Yes, I know, it looks like a smokestack. But like I said, it can be as
fancy as you like, or not.
Here
are a couple more TTVs by me- after a bunch of playing around with
tripods and light blockers- you'll be surprised to know that these were
taken with no light blockers at all. I used my free hand as a shield
and went for it.
I
like the white or light colored background in these. I placed my
subjects in front of a white wall, or on a white sheet of paper in a
well lit room. There was very little glare to worry about, since there
was no direct sunlight. I also like imperfection. I don't quite mind
when a TTV looks a bit fuzzy or out of focus. I think it's so fun to
try new things. I have an old Argus and a Duaflex II that I use as
well- here is my most recent one-
There are so many great TTV images on Flickr. You'll find all the inspiration you need there. (Alicia Bock is
absolutely amazing) If the process seems intimidating, just remember,
it's supposed to be fun! Don't be scared to grab some cardboard and
duct tape, and go for it! Sure, people will stare at you and wonder
what it is you are doing with your contraption, should you choose to
use it in public, but even more so, people are curious, and they will
ask what's up, and you get to tell them. It's a great conversation
starter!
