Softer portraits ...on purpose

[Daniel Browning]

But giving it a closer look, the softness does something whacky with the highlights. They just lose all detail and look weird. It makes the bright part of an image look out-of-proportion brighter..

That's intentional. Not all filters do that, but some people really like it. There are many effects possible in a filter. One is to soften or "diffuse" small details. Another possibility is to lower global contrast (increase glare). Still another is to flare around the brightest parts, causing what is to you "whacky highlights". Some filters combine the effects, others just do one thing.

[ThomasJ]

Yes yes, I realize. Your photos are very nice and accurately exposed! That's what I like about them.


I just - personally - don't like messing up a properly exposed photo by using a filter that blows out the highlights on purpose
A slightly softer portrait is ok tho.

[znevans]

Do you have the originals for either of these? Contrast is what is helping me understand this. The 'fog' and pretty much every variation is not what I'm after. I've read up on several filter options (hardware wise) and I think I'm left with post process. I'll give the demo a try and see what I get...





Thanks all!





ze

[Fred Doane]

ZE,

If you were refering to my images, yes I do have the originals and can post them later tonight when I get home. I just use thatpost processingformy web sized images and keep the original full size images for everything else. If you weren't refering to me I appologize. If anyone was refering to my images forany blown highlights they were blown out in the original and were intended that way.There shouldn't be any on the subjects themselves just in the background.

Fred~