Intentional Soft Focus... My Daughter Sophia

[michael9000000]

I intentionally did this photo with a soft focus to give an angelic/dreamy kind of look... Your thoughts?

 

[Josh66]

It looks more 'out of focus' than 'soft focus' to me (there is a difference). The preview image looks good, but when I click it and see the larger version, it just looks out of focus...

I think it could still work as long as you don't print it too big.

 

[Josh66]

Other than using a soft focus lens or filters (or smearing something on the lens/clear filter), another trick that sort of looks the same is a multiple exposure - one sharp, the second slightly defocused.

You could probably do that pretty easily in PS with a single (sharp) image by duplicating it and then blurring the duplicate (a little), and then overlaying that on the sharp one. That's how I would do it anyway - I'm sure there are other, and probably better ways to do it.

 

[michael9000000]

Other than using a soft focus lens or filters (or smearing something on the lens/clear filter), another trick that sort of looks the same is a multiple exposure - one sharp, the second slightly defocused.

You could probably do that pretty easily in PS with a single (sharp) image by duplicating it and then blurring the duplicate (a little), and then overlaying that on the sharp one. That's how I would do it anyway - I'm sure there are other, and probably better ways to do it.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Josh66]

Other than using a soft focus lens or filters (or smearing something on the lens/clear filter), another trick that sort of looks the same is a multiple exposure - one sharp, the second slightly defocused.

You could probably do that pretty easily in PS with a single (sharp) image by duplicating it and then blurring the duplicate (a little), and then overlaying that on the sharp one. That's how I would do it anyway - I'm sure there are other, and probably better ways to do it.

Thanks for the advice!

No Problem! A lot of people don't like soft focus, but I do. Done right, I think it looks really good. The lighting is important too - you want soft light (like you have in this photo - even softer would be better). Think of it as an otherwise sharp, in focus photo, with a glowing 'aura' or haze. IMO, there is a fine line between 'just right' and 'too much' though.

This doesn't look like a once in a lifetime shot, so think of this as a learning experience. Looking forward to see the new & improved version.

 

[jowensphoto]

Do you think the technique you suggested could also be done in GIMP (I remember previous discussions we've had and that you use it too)?

 

[Josh66]

Do you think the technique you suggested could also be done in GIMP (I remember previous discussions we've had and that you use it too)?

Of course! I just said PS because I know that's what most people use. I don't have PS and do all of my editing in GIMP.

I guess I should be promoting open source alternatives more, lol.

(I know I shouldn't, but I just used "PS" in place of "editing software".)

 

[jowensphoto]

LOL I do the exact oppisite; total GIMP fangirl. Found some "new" youtube tutorials that I really like by Pixovert.

OP, I apologize for hijacking your thread.