In the past few weeks I haven’t used my Lensbaby lenses as much, because I attended nature programs in groups, where an automatic lens was more useful. If I wanted to take pictures while hiking, I had to do it fast and not hold up the group.

Last week I spent a brief time at a pretty place in San Clemente, California. Casa Romantica is a beautiful venue for weddings and parties, and it is open to the public when no events are going on.

I walked around the garden three times, using a different lens each time while approaching the same subjects. I used the Sol 45, the Twist 60 and the Velvet 56. After comparing the images I chose the ones to post that I liked the most. One subject worked very well with all three lenses, I’ll save that for last. A few subjects didn’t work for me at all. So here are the winners:

The only image of the view from the gardens I liked was taken with the Twist 60. It was a dark, overcast day, but this is the lens I would use again for this view on a sunny day.

I liked two pictures of this Shrubby Rock-rose. Since the leaves are super pretty, I prefer the the first one with the Sol 45, because your eyes concentrate more on the bloom and don’t move around the image much. The second one (Velvet 56) allowed to me to get closer, so it’s a more intimate photo for me.

The Twist 60 image won for the African Wild Cassia flowers:

The Rock Purslane was my best subject. I liked the pictures taken with all the lenses. I’ll leave the one for the end that I prefer the most.

Sol 45

Twist 60

Velvet 56 (about F5.6)

Velvet 56 (F2.8)

For me, this last image captured the feeling the best of seeing that lonely, pink flower blowing in the wind among the grasses.