Soft Focus on the cheap... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/16/2006 12:16:22 AM · #1

My favorite method of getting soft focus (w/o special lense or filters) is to cover the lens with panty hose.

Just thought I'd share that with those that might want to try this challenge, but not spend a lot of money.

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

08/16/2006 12:18:06 AM · #2

or you can switch to manual focusing and use your bad eye to look through the viewfinder. lol

Qart

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/16/2006 12:21:15 AM · #3

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

or you can switch to manual focusing and use your bad eye to look through the viewfinder. lol

That is HILARIOUS! ROFLMAO

08/16/2006 12:21:47 AM · #4

The problem now is now can one get pantyhose?

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

08/16/2006 12:22:36 AM · #5

Originally posted by faidoi:

The problem now is now can one get pantyhose?

go tot he drugstore and buy some?

08/16/2006 12:23:51 AM · #6

Originally posted by pidge:

Originally posted by faidoi:
The problem now is now can one get pantyhose?

go tot he drugstore and buy some?

Just because I live in San Francisco doesn't mean that .... :P

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/16/2006 12:24:53 AM · #7

Originally posted by pidge:

Originally posted by faidoi:
The problem now is now can one get pantyhose?

go tot he drugstore and buy some?

Or accidentally run the pantyhose of your date, so that she no longer wants them in the morning... :-)

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

08/16/2006 12:32:07 AM · #8

Don't you know this is how Leroy gets most of his nude shots?

"ummmm, let's try one with soft focus. Dang! forgot my filter! Weeeelllll, there is one way we can do it, baby! Don't worry it will be 'artistic'!"

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

08/16/2006 12:34:15 AM · #9

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Like this, right?

08/16/2006 12:36:33 AM · #10

Originally posted by _eug:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Don't you know this is how Leroy gets most of his nude shots?

"ummmm, let's try one with soft focus. Dang! forgot my filter! Weeeelllll, there is one way we can do it, baby! Don't worry it will be 'artistic'!"

Like this, right?

Vaseline on UV filter technique?

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

08/16/2006 12:39:33 AM · #11

Another cheap and effective method is to use cellophane over the lens.

That's free with the purchase of a CD or lots of other things.

08/16/2006 12:49:24 AM · #12

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Shhhhhh... someone from Myspace may be reading this ....

08/16/2006 12:13:09 PM · #13

bump for the daytime crowd.

kbhatia1967

Canon EOS-1100D

08/17/2006 02:08:54 AM · #14

What is a panty hose?

DjFenzl

08/17/2006 02:10:27 AM · #15

Originally posted by kbhatia1967:

What is a panty hose?

also known as nylons - it's what women wear on their legs when they are wearing a skirt for example.

Leggs pantyhose

Message edited by author 2006-08-17 02:12:19.

08/17/2006 02:12:05 AM · #16

Originally posted by kbhatia1967:

What is a panty hose?

Pantyhose [Amer.] (also known as tights [Brit.] ) are sheer close fitting coverings of the body from the waist to the feet, most frequently worn by women. Like stockings they are usually made of nylon.

From wikipedia

Message edited by author 2006-08-17 02:12:34.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/17/2006 02:14:23 AM · #17

Window screens will work as well. Not only keep the bugs out.

dgpilot

Canon EOS-20D

08/17/2006 03:36:11 PM · #18

is there anyway to photoshop it within the rules?

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

08/17/2006 03:40:20 PM · #19

according to some of the comments I have been getting lately, I have the soft focus down to a science but in these cases it is apparently a bad thing.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

08/17/2006 03:42:43 PM · #20

Originally posted by dgpilot:

is there anyway to photoshop it within the rules?

Yes. For Basic Editing (steps assume Photoshop as the editor):
- Apply Gaussian blur, approx. 3-6px radius (maybe a bit more for very large images)
- Immediately after applying the blur, select Edit>Fade Gaussian Blur and adjust opacity down to 25-40% as desired. Don't change the blend mode since that's not legal in Basic.

The above works best if you start with an image that is carefully sharpened to the point of being a little sharpen than you'd normally go, and with contrast adjusted a little higher than you want in the final image. Experiment!

goc

Apple iPhone 4

08/17/2006 04:16:18 PM · #21

ooohhh. the topic goes in the wrong way ... i mean it was okay when i tought there was something about sex in this thread :-)

LOL

edit: just wanna say i will enter soft focus challenge 100% since 98% of my photos are soft-focus :-), so i'll prolly find something WOW ...

LOL 2X

Message edited by author 2006-08-17 16:18:33.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

08/17/2006 04:43:20 PM · #22

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by dgpilot:
is there anyway to photoshop it within the rules?

Yes. For Basic Editing (steps assume Photoshop as the editor):
- Apply Gaussian blur, approx. 3-6px radius (maybe a bit more for very large images)
- Immediately after applying the blur, select Edit>Fade Gaussian Blur and adjust opacity down to 25-40% as desired. Don't change the blend mode since that's not legal in Basic.

The above works best if you start with an image that is carefully sharpened to the point of being a little sharpen than you'd normally go, and with contrast adjusted a little higher than you want in the final image. Experiment!

I would also include Neatimage. Steve Davidson used it to great effect in his Soft Focus I entry.

08/17/2006 04:44:20 PM · #23

Originally posted by gooc:

Soft focus and bad focus are two different things :P