A question on softener filters??

MesherPhotos · Mar 20, 2012

I'm due to photograph a couple of weddings for my family this year and would like to know what's the best grade softener filter to get?

I've been looking at the Hoya ones which come in grade A or B if you have any other recommendations please post them. They will have to fit a 52mm thread and if anyone can post some photos for examples please do as I'm not sure what kind of effect you'd get with the different grades.

Thanks in advance,
James

slackercruster · Mar 20, 2012

Don't know. I tried filters (not your ones) and they stunk. Tried vasoline and saran wrap...stunk I settled on an old Sigma diffusion lens. Although it offers too much difussion sometimes. Maybe you can do it with PP? I don't know. I'm just a newbie to dig, sorry I can't help more.

Tiberius47 · Mar 20, 2012

MesherPhotos said:
I'm due to photograph a couple of weddings for my family this year and would like to know what's the best grade softener filter to get?

I've been looking at the Hoya ones which come in grade A or B if you have any other recommendations please post them. They will have to fit a 52mm thread and if anyone can post some photos for examples please do as I'm not sure what kind of effect you'd get with the different grades.

Thanks in advance,
James

Forget the filter. Do it in photoshop.

Duplicate the layer, put a bit of blur on it, then change the blend mode to lighten or something. Gives you infinitely more control over the effect.

KmH · Mar 20, 2012

But is a lot of post production work. However, one could record a Photoshop action, or two, or three, in advance and use Photoshop's automation features to batch process photos.

Frankly, I've always thought it a cheezy effect.

chuasam · Mar 20, 2012

The 1980s called and they want that softened look back...oh wait..it was out of style by the 80s already.

Tee · Mar 20, 2012

White pantyhose.

Big Mike · Mar 20, 2012

The problem with a softening filter (most filters actually) is that they only give you two options....on or off. If you apply the softening in post production, your options are virtually unlimited. You can choose the type of blur, the amount, where in the image it is applied and how strongly in some areas vs others. Plus, you can easily see the results are you are making the edit, so you can choose just the effect you want.

slackercruster · Mar 20, 2012

cheezy or not...if your a pro...gotta give the customer what they want.

MesherPhotos · Mar 21, 2012

Thanks all but I do believe in the older style and reducing the amount of post production as much as possible. I use Lightroom but it's mostly just to export quickly to JPEG. I agree it can easily be done in Lightroom with the clarity bar but what's the point in that? If I'm gonna do that I may aswell under/over expose each shot, dull the colours and edit every photo - that's not REAL photography haha. I see what you guys mean though, no point buying something that you can do in seconds for nothing.

MesherPhotos · Mar 21, 2012

KmH said:
But is a lot of post production work. However, one could record a Photoshop action, or two, or three, in advance and use Photoshop's automation features to batch process photos.

Frankly, I've always thought it a cheezy effect.

I guess it is very 80s but I always thought it looked a little better than having a sharp as hell image and able to see all the wrinkles in the dress.

Big Mike · Mar 23, 2012

MesherPhotos said:
Thanks all but I do believe in the older style and reducing the amount of post production as much as possible. I use Lightroom but it's mostly just to export quickly to JPEG. I agree it can easily be done in Lightroom with the clarity bar but what's the point in that? If I'm gonna do that I may aswell under/over expose each shot, dull the colours and edit every photo - that's not REAL photography haha. I see what you guys mean though, no point buying something that you can do in seconds for nothing.

Just because something in the 'older' style, doesn't mean that it's better.

This is photography, not engineering a bridge, so you can do whatever you want to do...but I'm going to take advantage of technology, as long as it lets me express my creative vision they way I want to.

dylanstraub · Mar 23, 2012

chuasam said:
The 1980s called and they want that softened look back...oh wait..it was out of style by the 80s already.

Lmao funny.

Derrel · Mar 23, 2012

Look into the Tiffen Black Net Diffuser.

chuasam · Mar 25, 2012

slackercruster said:
cheezy or not...if your a pro...gotta give the customer what they want.

He's photographing a couple of weddings for his family. He's not a pro.
He should give them a smack and say...ewwww

ecphoto · Mar 26, 2012

MesherPhotos said:
I'm due to photograph a couple of weddings for my family this year and would like to know what's the best grade softener filter to get?

I've been looking at the Hoya ones which come in grade A or B if you have any other recommendations please post them. They will have to fit a 52mm thread and if anyone can post some photos for examples please do as I'm not sure what kind of effect you'd get with the different grades.

Thanks in advance,
James

I would not recommend filters because you lose quality and light.

I add that kind of stuff in light room.
You can make it a preset and have it done as a batch process. In such a mission critical environment such as weddings, you can't afford to lose an image. You want to keep sharp focus as much as possible. You can add bokeh or blur, but you can't remove it. Plus fiddling with filters takes time and that's a luxory you wont have.

Light room has tons of effects for PP that are invaluable to a wedding photographer.