How to Film in a Soft Focus
Filming in soft focus represents a technique that can be used to capture your subject in a dreamy, relaxed sort of way that is ideal for reducing contrast and adding a bit of a glow to your subject. The soft focus technique is most common in portrait photography, but it may also be used when filmmaking. Figuring out how to film in a soft focus is certainly something that an aspiring cinematographer will approach during their career. In this guide, we’re showing you several different ways to film in soft focus for a dreamy effect.
USE A SOFT FOCUS LENS TO FILM IN SOFT FOCUS
Probably the simplest, and most commonly used technique to achieve soft focus on set today is the use of a soft focus lens. Many different soft focus lenses are available on the market depending on your budget and camera style.
Keep in mind that these lenses are highly technical, and represent a unique step towards combining a sharp image that is captured from the light passing through the lens center.
Such that the light then blurs as it passes the edges of the lens resulting in a balancing effect in which fine lines and sharp edges of the subject are blurred.
A SOFT IMAGE
Soft focus lenses make achieving soft focus quite simple. But it’s up to the cinematographer to still capture the shot that’s ideal for a soft focus look.
Soft focus is often used when filming women. To give the appearance of a more ethereal and natural being. You might also consider the use of a soft focus lens if you’re filming outdoors.
USE A SOFT FOCUS FILTER TO FILM IN SOFT FOCUS
Filming in soft focus with a filter is another option that cinematographers have to achieve the dreamy looks they’re shooting for.
Soft focus with a filter provides a versatile method of achieving the desired looks. Since there are a lot of filter options available, cinematographers can conveniently incorporate soft focus into their routines with various soft focus filters.
You might consider a diffusion filter which will soften the overall image. Higher end soft focus diffusion filters will allow center light to remain undiffused. While the light around the edges of the frame will diffuse and create the softened appearance you’re aiming for.
HOMEMADE SOFT FOCUS TRICKS
Want to learn how to film in soft focus without investing in a new lens or diffusion filter? Consider the following tricks that can help you to achieve the soft focus look without investing in any major equipment:
- Stretch panty hose/nylon stockings over the front of your camera lens and begin filming. This is one of the oldest tricks to achieve soft focus.
- Attach a cheap UV filter to your camera. And then spread vaseline around the outer edges to create the soft focus look. Vaseline will diffuse the light, just make sure you keep it very thin and evenly spread.
- Stretch a piece of plastic food wrap over the front of your camera lens. Secure it with a rubber band around the barrel. If the plastic wrap doesn’t provide enough diffusion of light, consider also using the vaseline method mentioned above over the plastic wrap rather than over a UV filter.
IN SUMMARY
Learning how to film in soft focus is really a matter of first securing the desired lens, filter or other medium to achieve the desired image and then practicing your shots.
Remember, not all shots are going to look best in soft focus. So plan your shot list accordingly and practice different soft focus methods to achieve the desired outcomes.
