Photoshop Friday!

This week’s edition is a pretty simple photo editing technique that will give a photo a nice soft focus.

 Soft Focus

Here is the image we’ll end up with:

 

Choose an image that could benefit from some soft focus lighting - such as a baby, a romantic shot, etc. Some shots lend themselves better than others to this type of treatment.

Ready? Here we go!

1. Open the image. Here is my original, uncorrected image.

2. Normally I would say to color correct as the next step, but in this case I recommend that you wait to do any color-correction until after you see the results of the technique we’re trying today. Since we’re using blending modes with multiple layers, you’ll notice a definite contrast and color boost, and your adjustments will probably be different than they would be on your original image.

3. Duplicate the background layer (Right-click on the layer in the Layers palette and choose Duplicate Layer from the flyout menu) 

4. With the Background Copy layer targeted, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the blur to something like 20 px. This layer will lose a lot of detail, and that’s ok.

Gaussian Blur - Click for Larger 5. In the Layers palette, set the blending mode for the Background Copy layer to Overlay.

6. Duplicate the Background Copy layer. You should have three layers now.

7.  In the Layers palette, set the blending mode for the new layer to Screen.

8. In the Layers palette, adjust the opacity of the Screen and Overlay layers until you’re happy with the balance between good color and soft focus.

9. Optional - if you feel like you need to bring back some detail, such as on a face, try erasing with a very soft, very light brush across the areas of detail.

Here again is my final image:

 

I can’t wait to see your soft focused images! Link me up in the comments when you get these done, ok?

Have a wonderful weekend! I’m almost back on track here. :)

Comments

[Bonnie]

http://www.designerdigitals.com/ddgallery/showphoto.php?photo=15860&cat=500

Layout with your technique-Thanks. I enjoy your lessons. I love to learn new ways to do things.

[Grandma Carol]

Wow, that really makes a big difference! It all looks so much softer. I love it and the the little sweet one too! XOXO

[Lisa Guidry]

Hey, I know I've been gone a long time but I will be home (VA) and all moved in soon. I just had to comment on this tutorial. I love it and I know just the pic I am going to use it on. Thanks, ttysoon...Lisa

[Emily H]

Jessica, I just tried this technique and I am so thrilled with the end results! I'm not going to post it because I think I will use the photo in my HOF entry. I just wanted to thank you for the great tutorials, I think I'll try some others tonight!

[Julie]

Thank you so much for all your tutorials I tried this one out loved it thanks! Julie

[debi b]

Thanks, Jessica! Can't wait to try this out! :) Sure is beautiful on that lovely, sweet photo!

[Teaque]

Thanks - How'd you KNOW I needed that??? Ha Ha

[tashaerin]

I came to your blog today precisely to see if I could figure out how to do this. How thrilled I was to find it right here. THANKS!!!

[Lu]

I love it, I just love this. Follow to my blog to see my soft focus in action.

[Sarah]

okay, here is my attempt, I was sooo surprised at how just those two layers actually improved the color of my photo, very cool!!

http://sarahbe.wordpress.com/2006/11/20/151/

[Elizabeth]

Thank you. I love how you take really neat techniques and make them so user friendly. Love it. Here is the link to my pics http://2inspire.typepad.com/hootna12/. Thanks again.

[katie]

great lesson Jessica!!

[Barbara]

This tutorial was SO EASY but made such a HUGE impact on my photo - I'm lovin' this technique!
Thanks so much Jessica!!

[Mona]

My before and after
http://cropwithscrappy.blogspot.com/

I took it a step further and added step by step instructions for an inverted gradient fill to draw attention in to the soft center of focus.

Thanks. You taught me everything I know practically.

[Janie]

I soooo wish I could do this kind of editing. I have 5.0, I just don't get how to use it. I read your blog all the time and still enjoy it!! (even if I'm not computer savy}

[Dorota]

I have always wondered how do you get this effect. Thank you for the tutorial Jessica. I have learned soooooooo much from you!