softfocus

Soft focus is a photographic and cinematographic technique that intentionally reduces image sharpness to produce a gentle, flattering glow. It can be achieved optically through diffusion elements or by digital post-processing, and it often softens skin textures while preserving overall tonal relationships.

Historically, soft focus emerged in early 20th-century glamour photography and classic cinema, where it was used to create a romantic or dreamlike appearance. The effect became associated with glamorous portraits and on-screen romance, with filmmakers and photographers refining diffusion methods to balance glow with legibility. While its popularity has varied, soft focus remains a recognizable tool for shaping mood.

Technically, soft focus can be created in several ways. Optical diffusion involves using diffusion filters, frosted glass, or specially designed soft-focus lenses that scatter light and introduce mild spherical aberration, yielding a haloed highlight and reduced acutance. Practical techniques include placing a diffusion material in front of the lens or applying a light coating (such as a thin Vaseline film) to edges of the lens to soften edges. In digital workflows, softness can be simulated through gentle blur, selective de-emphasis of detail, and controlled highlight bloom, often paired with reduced contrast to maintain a natural look.

Applications and considerations vary. Soft focus is commonly used in portrait and glamour photography to smooth skin texture and enhance mood, and in film or television to convey romance, nostalgia, or fantasy. It can reduce the perceived harshness of lighting and conceal minor imperfections, but overuse can erase detail, feel artificial, and date the image. The technique is typically chosen to support narrative or aesthetic goals rather than for technical precision.