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On one of my previous posts I shared 5 Tips for Acquiring Old Cameras. One of the comments on this post was made by Jessica where she simply stated "Then again, if they don’t work, you could always use them for TtV!".

I had heard of TtV before but, as a technique, was something that I was never curious to experiment with. But my curiosity definitely spiked after seeing some of Jessica’s photos using this method and I’ll be trying it in the near future.

So, I asked Jessica if she could go a little further on the subject of TtV, not only for me, but for all my readers that are not so familiar with the technique.

And here is what Jessica had to say…

TtV / Tee Tee Vee / abbr.

Through The Viewfinder: The technique of using one camera to take a picture via another camera’s viewfinder.

Your first impression may be that the technique sounds somewhat absurd. I’m here to tell you that the results are simply stunning. Let me fill you in on this method that will have you scrambling to get your hands on a camera of your own to try out this fairly new technique.

The Cameras

In order to achieve the highly unique and nostalgic, square format look, you will first need to acquire a base camera. Typically, the bottom viewing camera is a TLR, a twin lens reflex, which has a waist-level, bubble-like viewfinder. The viewfinder happens to be one of the most charming aspects of this method, as it creates a slightly out of focus fish-eye effect that is reminiscent of a dream. It also leaves your image with a natural black frame that adds to the already vintage look.

Some of the most commonly used TLR’s are the Kodak Duaflex, Starflex, and Brownie. Some other manufacturers to consider are Argus and Anascoflex; although, this doesn’t scratch the surface of everything that is available. If you’re not lucky enough to find one of these types of cameras locally, you should have no problem finding one through the ever-so-popular Ebay to locate a retro treasure of your very own. An extremely informative article is  "5 Tips for Acquiring Old Cameras".

The Method

Finding a TLR that actually works isn’t necessary - since you don’t need to use film. However, there are certain warnings to regard when buying based on descriptions and photos alone. The old-fashioned look obtained with the method is in part due to how the camera shows age with dirt, dust, and scratches. As these conditions can enhance the dirty-lens style, you don’t want the imperfections to be so bad that they become an obstruction. I have yet to do this myself, but you can carefully take the camera apart to clean the lenses in the event that you find one with oodles of mold or very thick dust. Another possible impediment may be those lenses which contain grid lines or bullseye type marks on the viewfinder, which in turn becomes a part of your photo. Although you may like the outcome of that result.

Before you decide to join the ranks of TtV photographers, there are other facets of the craft that you need to prepare for. In addition to the base camera we talked about earlier, you will need a macro lens and a contraption, which seals out light. With the macro lens attached, you will want to measure the distance that you must maintain to get your digital camera to focus through the TLR’s viewfinder. Doing this will determine how tall your contraption needs to be. Without this, it is a lot harder to get a properly exposed shot. Once you’re ready to make a contraption, take a look around the house, chances are you have materials laying around that can be quickly fashioned into something suitable; I’ve even seen some made from cereal boxes before. To get an idea, please check out my contraption.

Getting started with this new technique is the easy part, but learning to manage and maneuver two cameras at once proves to be a bit of a challenge at times. However, I am of the opinion that the results are well worth the extra effort involved to capture such captivating images. You can find many ideas as well as inspiration within the "Through The Viewfinder" flickr group. I encourage you to peruse the forum for any further questions you may have about the technique. I sincerely hope that you found this information to be useful, although it is not intended to be a definitive guide by any means.

The Author

Originally from Florida, Jessica Maceda currently resides within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. She carries with her a deep appreciation for nature, and an unwavering passion for photography. Many of her experiences are shared through a blog called Wayfaring Wanderer. You can also find her photos (including TtV work) on her flickr photostream.

Again and again stories of harassment of photographers by authorities are made public.

We discussed this subject on PhotoNetCast episode #2 and it’s fairly obvious that the biggest cause might not even be abuse of authority per se, but simply misinformation or lack of knowledge of the law.

This one happened in the UK.

There is not much point in discussing the issue over and over again. Bottom line: Always know your rights out there and stand your ground.

I’m getting depressed with all the abuse photographers suffer on the streets.

If you wish to share your thoughts or stories, please feel free to drop a comment.

Hat tip: Photography is not a crime

Time is flying (or so it feels for me) and more and more good photography articles are being published around.

It’s always hard to come up with a small selection, but it has to be done. So, here are some of those articles that picked my attention in the past days:

• Who is Stealing your photos online? - JMG-Galleries - Jim introduces a new platform (or shall we call it search engine), TinEye, that uses image recognition algorithms and allows you to search for copies of your images online (even modified ones). I’ve been using TinEye for some time and can say that, although their search range is still small, it works. Jim also has some invites to give, in case you’re interested.
• HELP… I’m brand new at this. What do I do to grow my business? - Digital ProTalk - Want to start expanding your photo business? Then David’s blog is the place to go. And from this article you can see what to expect over there.
• DSLR Dust Problems: Prevention and Solutions - Joy of Digital Photography - Dust in the sensor is something that did not exist in the film days. But it’s the digital era and dust can really ruin your work if you’re not careful about it. Jeff tackles the problem and gives some tips on how to avoid it.
• So many cameras - So little time - Epic Edits - I’m sure you know what a SLR is. But what about a TLR, or Rangefinder, or… Brian gives a small introduction to each of the most know camera types.
• 8 Tips for better photo composition - A Matter of Memories - Good photography is much more than just the right equipment. It’s what you do with it. And good composition is a skill that can be improved. There are no rules, just tips, and Jill gives 8 of them right here.
• Lenses - Photography Basics - Camera bodies come and go, but lenses are forever (was this a good adaptation of the cliché?). Knowing what lenses you need and what to expect from them is vital in photography. Garry has a nice intro to lenses for the beginner. And remember "You get what you pay for".
• The War on Photography - Schneier on Security - Photographer’s rights violations is happening everyday. You can shoot this, you can’t shoot that… When is it going to stop? With increasing fears of terrorism (and often using it as an excuse) probably not so soon. As Bruce mentions, blame the movies. We also discussed this issue on PhotoNetCast #2. Maybe I should get one of those "I’m a Photographer, not a terrorist" t-shirts.