Over the weekend I was digging around in my archives for an image and came across one of my old TTV photos. Through the Viewfinder or TTV for short, is a technique of using two cameras to achieve a single image. While these images may look like I was using the Hipstamatic app on my iPhone, it’s much more than that.
The effect is achieved by rigging an old twin lens camera and shooting down into the viewfinder with another camera, in this case, my DSLR. From the moment I saw this technique, I HAD to try it. I first attempted the process by using my Yashica, but found the weight of the camera (the yashica is a heavy beast) made it akward and I also wasn’t up for taping and messing up my camera. I was on the hunt, I successfully located a Kodak duaflex at the thrift store and set to work. Using painters tape and a discard cereal box, I created the “contraption“. Despite looking like a bit of a crazy person while out and about with the set up, I have truly taken some of my most favorite, nitty-gritty images this way.
A few things I found along the way, the brighter the colors and the sunnier the spot, the better. I could get in there and clean up the viewfinder and lens a bit, but I like the character it gives my photos. From details of a flower or my boy’s sparkling blue eyes to the big bad Pacific Ocean, TtV does a little magic trick on them all.
Have you tried this technique? I would love to see what you have done. Share a link with us in the comments to your work. Want to know more on how to get started? There is a great group on Flickr to get you inspired, and I wrote up a tutorial on my personal blog a very long time ago about getting all set up. I hope this inspires you to try something new!
Happy snapping, Vanessa
I still love this technique, and the results you can get. Thanks for the reminder to pull out my sweet little argoflex….
I love it too! Now to just unearth my dualfex from the moving boxes so I can play again!
A great reminder to put the camera phone down and go old school once and awhile…great pix Vanessa.
Oh yes! I love TTV shots and these are just vintage!
Ooo, I had almost forgotten how fun TtV is. I only did a few shots since I am one of those lugging around a Yashica for it, but I should really take it out some more, since the results can absolutely be worth it.
these are great. i’ve always wanted to try this 🙂
Great style, really. Thanks for the inspiration.
These are GORGEOUS! I’ve always been a big fan of TtV, and these are just a perfect example. You have some killer ground glass on that Duaflex!