Boudoir soft focus and hazy look

[gconnoyer]

Just curious how the soft focus, and hazy looks are achieved in alot of boudoir type shots.
Is it something done while shooting or more of a post processing thing?

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Vaseline spread across a UV filter that's screwed onto the lens.

 

[David8]

Vaseline spread across a UV filter that's screwed onto the lens.

Wow. I don't think I ever would have thought of that. Very interesting!

 

[gsgary]

Take a look at Barry Latagan thats what he used

 

[o hey tyler]

Vaseline spread across a UV filter that's screwed onto the lens.

Lols

 

[Tee]

Don't forget white pantyhose stretched between to clear filters (totally not joking).

 

[Solarflare]

Adding softness to the image in digital post processing = trivial.

Adding sharpness to the image in digital post processing = possible, but needs fine control by the artist and wont bring back any lost details, so it wont be actual sharpness, just the illusion of it.

 

[Buckster]

It used to be done while shooting, using Vaseline or stretched nylons, as mentioned. Now, post processing gives much more predictable and controlled results.

The same is true for most filter effects that have been used over the years, exceptions being those made using neutral density filters when used to slow shutters and polarized filters when used to cut glare and reflections.

 

[TCampbell]

We used to use something called a "spot diffusion" or "misty" filter to create the dreamlike quality. A thin layer of Vaseline around the edges of a clear filter (leave a spot in the center of the filter which is clear) was the poor-man's spot-diffusion filter. (the filter had gently rippled/textured glass in a doughnut shape around the sides but clear flat glass in the center "doughnut hole" area.)

Today, as Buckster says, it's pretty easy to do in software so there's not much reason for a dedicated filter.

 

[gconnoyer]

Wow thanks for the responses guys. I guess I'll have to experiment and see what I like.

 

[kundalini]

This month's issue of Rangefinder magazine has an article "Buiding a Business of Boudoir" with photographer Jen Hillenga that may interest you.

[url]http://digitalmag.rangefinderonline.com/rangefinder/201302#pg65[/URL]

 

[Big Mike]

You can also buy specific 'soft focus' lenses...but in the digital age, it's just so easy and flexible to do with with software, that it doesn't make much sense to use physical elements to create blur.

Although, most of the boudoir I see (not that much really) is just shallow DOF...so it's not software or filters etc. Just wide apertures.