I have been experimenting with soft focus some this morning and I have learned something that could be useful. Once you determine the method you will use to achieve soft focus in your photo, experimenting with the exposure level can magnify or dampen the effect. If you overexpose, the effect of the soft focus increases. If you underexpose, it decreases... just thought I would pass this along :)
Makes sense John; the soft focus definitely is more noticeable on the highlights, so you'd expect overexposure to heighten the effect. I hadn't thought about it in this way.
I was trying the pantyhose over lens method for some outdoors shots and it seemed like it acted somewhat like a polarizer cutting down on the reflection glare a bit.
I was trying the pantyhose over lens method for some outdoors shots and it seemed like it acted somewhat like a polarizer cutting down on the reflection glare a bit.
It should actually do the exact opposite of a polarizer. A polarizer lines up the light so it hits the film plane at more of a 90 degree angle. The panty hose and the soft focus filters cause the light to scatter at angles inside the lens to create the effect.
I was trying the pantyhose over lens method for some outdoors shots and it seemed like it acted somewhat like a polarizer cutting down on the reflection glare a bit.
Maybe it is effectively a polarizer with a coarse grain -- waves parallel to the threads ought to have more likelihood of getting through than those on any diagonal.
It is also acting as a diffraction grating, acting to warp and scatter those waves which do get through.
But I'm not a physicist so I'm waiting for more updates ...
This is actually the difference between soft focus and out of focus. Soft focus, to all intents and purposes, is a diffusion of the highlights, with markedly less effect on mid-tones and shadow. I haven't tried it, but I guess the software processors split an image into graduations of light and then apply a gaussian blur at different levels.
All of which are illegal territory for dpc purposes, but hey ...
The most effective filter I've found is home made: a piece of clear film (lighting gel colour in my case) smeared with vaseline (or any other gelatinous stuff ... butter, hair gel etc.). This gives you the option of graduating the effect across the filter to your own desire. especially effective if you have a clear area dead centre.
Good tip, John. I've found that out myself this week. I think these technical challenges introduce us to new techniques and are very useful!
On a similar note, if I use a gaussian blur, am I allowed to fiddle with the blending options with that blur? I've been able to achieve some really interesting effects using not only the opacity, but using screen and multiply as well. I read the rules carefully, and it seems to be legal as long as you don't add a new layer. True?
I do not know the answer to what is legal and what isn't in this case. I have been told that using layers to achieve this effect is illegal. The rules do not spell it out other than saying layers must be 'adjustment' layers and must be applied in normal mode. Some of the photoshop experts around here can possibly elaborate on what that means because I have no clue :)
You do not have to make a new layer to apply a blending mode. The rules state that only adjustment layers may be used, and that these layers must be applied in a normal mode. By extention, does this also mean that any effect used, such as gaussian blur, must also be applied in a normal mode.
Try this: apply a very drastic gassian blur, say 70 pixels. Then go to the EDIT menu and use the "Fade Gaussian Blur..." command to set it to multiply. Then adjust your opacity. It's a pretty cool effect for which I usually create a new layer when doing non-DPC photos. I just found out this week that you could do it without creating a new layer.
I suppose I'll be safe, stick to the spirit of the law, and avoid it this time round, but it would be nice to know.
I'm pretty sure other people have applied a legal effect (e.g. blur) and then used the "Fade" command ... but I think they then restrict themselves to setting the percentage value, not any modes. I'd agree the conservative approach is prudent at this juncture.
You do not have to make a new layer to apply a blending mode. The rules state that only adjustment layers may be used, and that these layers must be applied in a normal mode. By extention, does this also mean that any effect used, such as gaussian blur, must also be applied in a normal mode.
Try this: apply a very drastic gassian blur, say 70 pixels. Then go to the EDIT menu and use the "Fade Gaussian Blur..." command to set it to multiply. Then adjust your opacity. It's a pretty cool effect for which I usually create a new layer when doing non-DPC photos. I just found out this week that you could do it without creating a new layer.
I suppose I'll be safe, stick to the spirit of the law, and avoid it this time round, but it would be nice to know.
Great tip!!!
I have been practicing this set up all morning... works great thanks David
