Soft-Focus Filters, Or Photoshop?

amateur6 · 01-21-2008, 05:11 AM

Originally posted by marcdsgn

... Ahhh, those sort of photos, eh??

"Photographs, eh? He asks him, knowingly. Snap snap, grin grin, wink wink, say no more..."

TomInJax · 01-21-2008, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by amateur6

"Photographs, eh? He asks him, knowingly. Snap snap, grin grin, wink wink, say no more..."

Ha ha ha!!!

travis_cooper · 01-21-2008, 01:39 PM

I usually just do it in PS. I add a duplicate layer then add a guassian blur filter really high to throw it way out of focus, then drop the opacity to where you like it, usually around 20% or so. I haven't tried the in camera conversions, I'll have to see how well they do, but I still think that adding it later is better because I usually sharpen the picture first, then add the soft focus.

Mike Bokeh · 01-21-2008, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by amateur6

I shouldn't think that it would matter (considering the "aperture" set-up of a lensbaby) except that it's a heck of a lot easier to swap a K mount on & off than it is a screw-mount... In my experience, anyhow.

Yes, this is what I was thinking too, I just thought it odd that they'd offer the Lensbabies with both Pentax mounts.

Mike

Mike Bokeh · 01-21-2008, 06:18 PM

I've been thinking at length about this, and from the gallery photos I've seen, and visiting the Lensbabies forum, I prefer the almost surrealistic look of the original Lensbaby.

The one thing I don't like, is the fact that you have to hold the lens in position during exposure, as I take a lot of long exposures. Then, I got to thinking that perhaps a Lensbaby 3G with a 37mm Tiffen Soft-FX filter might give a nice look.

I have to think a bit more on this.

Mike

CJCram · 01-21-2008, 06:20 PM

If you go to the Lensbaby website and to the "training centre" link there is a forum there. You could try asking if anyone has tried the 3G with a soft focus filter.

Mike Bokeh · 01-21-2008, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by CJCram

If you go to the Lensbaby website and to the "training centre" link there is a forum there. You could try asking if anyone has tried the 3G with a soft focus filter.

Good idea, CJ.

Mike

Mike Bokeh · 01-21-2008, 08:48 PM

In my continuing quest for a softer world,

I came across these two filters:
1.) Schneider | 58 mm White Frost 1 Water White Glass | 68086358

2.) Schneider | 58 mm Classic Soft 1 Water White Glass | 68084358

Click on both features and specifications.

Their descriptions sound like they could apply to some other soft-focus filters, like Carl Zeiss Softars.

I've never even heard of them.

Has anyone here ever used either one of them?

Mike

amateur6 · 01-21-2008, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by Mike Bokeh

Yes, this is what I was thinking too, I just thought it odd that they'd offer the Lensbabies with both Pentax mounts.

Well, surely there are SOME people out there still using screwmount cameras...

marcdsgn · 01-22-2008, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by amateur6

Well, surely there are SOME people out there still using screwmount cameras...

Yes, only a couple of months back I dusted off the ol' ZENIT. It's like a family relative (ie: I'm fond of it, but I don't mind not seeing it for years at a time!!)

Mike Bokeh · 01-30-2008, 07:00 PM

I bought a Lensbaby 3G.

I did a lot of thinking, and knew that I needed its locking ability for the longer exposures I do.

The money came from my DA-70mm fund,

but I prefer soft-focus portraits to those that are tack-sharp. I also liked the food shots at the Lensbabies site.

I'll post some test shots as soon as I have them, but it won't be tonight.

Did I do something in a past life to deserve this LBA?

Mike

roentarre · 02-01-2008, 05:28 AM

Mike, I go for photoshop. Using the glass filters is like a nuisance for me now (with all the ND, polarisers of all different sizes).

As your have demonstrated, photoshop has so many types of filters that allow us to create the effect we all desire based on our preference.

p.s. Sure this thread is going to irritate the "natural" people that only want "natural" photos coming from a "natural" sensor.

CJCram · 02-01-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by CJCram View Post
If you go to the Lensbaby website and to the "training centre" link there is a forum there. You could try asking if anyone has tried the 3G with a soft focus filter.
Good idea, CJ.

LOL, sorry! At the time I replied to your post I was really sick with a throat infection and hopped up on codeine (along with a lot of other OTC drugs) plus I hadn't slept in 3 days. Usually I do actually read the posts I respond to...

Mike Bokeh · 02-01-2008, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by roentarre

p.s. Sure this thread is going to irritate the "natural" people that only want "natural" photos coming from a "natural" sensor.

Not at all, roentarre.

I'm glad this thread has the number of people interested that it does, and that there are differing opinions. The more discussion this thread sparks, the better.

Hey, this thread made me go out and buy a lens!

Thanks again, CJ.

I may have some Lensbaby shots to post over the weekend.

Mike

christinelandon · 02-03-2008, 03:53 AM

Originally posted by Rickster

Anybody here from the 'old school'?

You can cobble up just about any kind of soft filter you need with a cheap UV filter and some petroleum jelly. An old portrait pro taught me that trick ages ago.

IIRC, Milton Greene used this technique in making some of his portraits of Marilyn Monroe.

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01-21-2008, 05:11 AM	#31
amateur6 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Gallery Posts: 177	Originally posted by marcdsgn ... Ahhh, those sort of photos, eh?? "Photographs, eh? He asks him, knowingly. Snap snap, grin grin, wink wink, say no more..."

01-21-2008, 01:28 PM	#32
TomInJax Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 531	Originally posted by amateur6 "Photographs, eh? He asks him, knowingly. Snap snap, grin grin, wink wink, say no more..." Ha ha ha!!!

01-21-2008, 01:39 PM	#33
travis_cooper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 300	I usually just do it in PS. I add a duplicate layer then add a guassian blur filter really high to throw it way out of focus, then drop the opacity to where you like it, usually around 20% or so. I haven't tried the in camera conversions, I'll have to see how well they do, but I still think that adding it later is better because I usually sharpen the picture first, then add the soft focus.

01-21-2008, 06:06 PM	#34
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608 Original Poster	Originally posted by amateur6 I shouldn't think that it would matter (considering the "aperture" set-up of a lensbaby) except that it's a heck of a lot easier to swap a K mount on & off than it is a screw-mount... In my experience, anyhow. Yes, this is what I was thinking too, I just thought it odd that they'd offer the Lensbabies with both Pentax mounts. Mike

01-21-2008, 06:18 PM	#35
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608 Original Poster	I've been thinking at length about this, and from the gallery photos I've seen, and visiting the Lensbabies forum, I prefer the almost surrealistic look of the original Lensbaby. The one thing I don't like, is the fact that you have to hold the lens in position during exposure, as I take a lot of long exposures. Then, I got to thinking that perhaps a Lensbaby 3G with a 37mm Tiffen Soft-FX filter might give a nice look. I have to think a bit more on this. Mike

01-21-2008, 06:20 PM	#36
CJCram Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 84	If you go to the Lensbaby website and to the "training centre" link there is a forum there. You could try asking if anyone has tried the 3G with a soft focus filter.

01-21-2008, 06:26 PM	#37
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608 Original Poster	Originally posted by CJCram If you go to the Lensbaby website and to the "training centre" link there is a forum there. You could try asking if anyone has tried the 3G with a soft focus filter. Good idea, CJ. Mike

01-21-2008, 08:48 PM	#38
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608 Original Poster	In my continuing quest for a softer world, I came across these two filters: 1.) Schneider \| 58 mm White Frost 1 Water White Glass \| 68086358 2.) Schneider \| 58 mm Classic Soft 1 Water White Glass \| 68084358 Click on both features and specifications. Their descriptions sound like they could apply to some other soft-focus filters, like Carl Zeiss Softars. I've never even heard of them. Has anyone here ever used either one of them? Mike

01-21-2008, 09:31 PM	#39
amateur6 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Gallery Posts: 177	Originally posted by Mike Bokeh Yes, this is what I was thinking too, I just thought it odd that they'd offer the Lensbabies with both Pentax mounts. Well, surely there are SOME people out there still using screwmount cameras...

01-22-2008, 12:17 AM	#40
marcdsgn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery Posts: 265	Originally posted by amateur6 Well, surely there are SOME people out there still using screwmount cameras... Yes, only a couple of months back I dusted off the ol' ZENIT. It's like a family relative (ie: I'm fond of it, but I don't mind not seeing it for years at a time!!)

01-30-2008, 07:00 PM	#41
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608 Original Poster	I bought a Lensbaby 3G. I did a lot of thinking, and knew that I needed its locking ability for the longer exposures I do. The money came from my DA-70mm fund, but I prefer soft-focus portraits to those that are tack-sharp. I also liked the food shots at the Lensbabies site. I'll post some test shots as soon as I have them, but it won't be tonight. Did I do something in a past life to deserve this LBA? Mike

02-01-2008, 05:28 AM	#42
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Mike, I go for photoshop. Using the glass filters is like a nuisance for me now (with all the ND, polarisers of all different sizes). As your have demonstrated, photoshop has so many types of filters that allow us to create the effect we all desire based on our preference. p.s. Sure this thread is going to irritate the "natural" people that only want "natural" photos coming from a "natural" sensor.

02-01-2008, 08:30 AM	#43
CJCram Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 84	Quote: Quote: Originally Posted by CJCram View Post If you go to the Lensbaby website and to the "training centre" link there is a forum there. You could try asking if anyone has tried the 3G with a soft focus filter. Good idea, CJ. LOL, sorry! At the time I replied to your post I was really sick with a throat infection and hopped up on codeine (along with a lot of other OTC drugs) plus I hadn't slept in 3 days. Usually I do actually read the posts I respond to...

02-01-2008, 06:52 PM	#44
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608 Original Poster	Originally posted by roentarre p.s. Sure this thread is going to irritate the "natural" people that only want "natural" photos coming from a "natural" sensor. Not at all, roentarre. I'm glad this thread has the number of people interested that it does, and that there are differing opinions. The more discussion this thread sparks, the better. Hey, this thread made me go out and buy a lens! Thanks again, CJ. I may have some Lensbaby shots to post over the weekend. Mike

02-03-2008, 03:53 AM	#45
christinelandon Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 812	Originally posted by Rickster Anybody here from the 'old school'? You can cobble up just about any kind of soft filter you need with a cheap UV filter and some petroleum jelly. An old portrait pro taught me that trick ages ago. IIRC, Milton Greene used this technique in making some of his portraits of Marilyn Monroe.