What is soft focus filter?

Soft focus photography is a technique used to capture images that reduces the contrast of fine detail in the image. Soft focus can also utilize a lens flaw where the lens forms blurred images due to spherical aberration. A soft focus lens deliberately uses spherical aberration in order to blur the image.

What are soft filters?

Soft filters are often used in portraits or flower photography, as they can blur light and “soften” the atmosphere. The same effect can do great in starry sky photography.

How are soft focus filters used in photography?

Soft focus filters are used for reducing the local contrast in an image, and sometimes also for adding a kind of dreamy glow. The main use for this is in portrait photography – the filter reduces the appearance of fine detail such as skin pores, giving a smoothing effect. The effect is not the same as just blurring an image.

What’s the difference between soft focus and focus?

Soft focus is different, the lens is focused, but there is diffusion of the light. There are a number of methods available for today’s photographers. These range in price and efficiency. The easiest way to achieve this look is by buying a specialist lens, or a specialist filter. These methods also happen to be the most expensive.

How to achieve a soft focus dreamy look?

Landscapes can take on a dreamy, ethereal feeling when photographed with a soft focus filter. And photos of flowers and foliage can often work well with a soft focus effect. With a cheap UV filter and vaseline, or using an old pair of stockings / tights, the effect can be achieved quite cheaply.

How do you get soft focus in Photoshop?

There are lots of filters available that allow you to achieve this effect. Choose the image you wish to work with, this will likely be a portrait photo. Open the image in Photoshop, and duplicate the layer. Go to Layer > Duplicate. This is the layer you’ll work with. You can make changes that are non-destructive.