|
Open
your photo. If the image has multiple layers,
flatten it (Shift-Ctrl-E). Name the one
layer containing the photo "Original"
(1) This
layer will stay as is and will contain your
original image so you don't destroy it and can
return to it at any time. |
 |
Double-click the layer
to rename it. |
|
 |
|
Now duplicate the Original
layer
(2)
by pressing Ctrl-J and
double-click this new layer to rename it "Smooth."
(3)
We are going to make the
strength of this soft focus a 3rd full
strength. Set the Opacity of the
Smooth layer to 33%
(4)
for now. You can always adjust it
later. |
|
Duplicate the layer, rename it
and set the opacity to 33% |
|
|
|
Now we want to smooth out some of
the detail in the image.
Apply a Smart Blur filter to
the Smooth layer (found under Filter>
Blur>).
Use enough strength to remove
most of the fine detail from the image in the
preview.
Settings will vary greatly from image to image.
For this one I used a Radius of 3.5
(5) and a
Threshold of 28.2
(6) |
Adjust the settings to remove
detail. |
You will notice a drop in
detail in the image, but not as much as you saw
in the preview when applying the blur. This is
because the opacity of the Smooth layer
is set at 33%, so only a 3rd of the blur shows
through. |
|
|
|
Now we want to
apply a soft glow over the top of
an image.
Duplicate
(7) the Smooth
layer by selecting it and then pressing Ctrl-J and
rename this new layer to "Soft".
(8)
Set the Opacity of the
Soft layer to 33%
(9)
for now. You can always adjust it
later. |
 |
Duplicate the layer, rename it
and set the opacity to 33% |
|
|
|
To the Smooth layer we
want to apply a Gaussian Blur filter
(found
under Filter> Blur>).
The trick to getting this right is to adjust the
Radius so that the preview of the image
shown is greatly blurred, but you can still
differentiate objects. In this example I used a
Radius setting of 4(9). |
 |
Keeping an eye on the preview
window, I increase the Radius to get as much
blur as I can while still being able to
determine what the elements of the image are.
Here I drastically blurred the
image, but I can still see elements like the
waterfall and the small tan rock to the right of it.
Keep in mind this blur,
will lessen in the final image because the layer
it's being applied to has an opacity of 33%. |
|
|
|
Applying the Gaussian blur, gives
the elements in the image a soft glow and
completes the soft focus effect.
You may now adjust the opacities
of the Smooth and Soft layers to
get the soft focus effects to your liking.
To turn off the soft focus,
disable both the Smooth and Soft
layers. |
|
|
|
|
|
The soft focus effect is a great
way to give your landscape images in dreamy
appearance, by lessening the detail and making
some elements appeared to glow. you can vary the
settings for and even omit altogether either the
smooth and soft layers to suit your image best.
Soft focus works even better on
portrait photography. Vary the Smooth
layer to
remove
small blemishes and even
out complexions. The Soft layer will give
your subject a highlighting glow, capturing the
viewer's eye. It's best not to overuse the soft
focus when shooting people. Wedding photos of
the bride and groom are excellent uses, but it
just doesn't look right when used on the whole
wedding party.
|
