Okay, How Did He Get This One?

<p>I usually do <em>not</em> ask questions like this, but I came across <a href=" image</a>, and I can't figure how it was done. I'm guessing natural light, no flash added but the smoothness of the light and the color palette and saturation just amaze me. I'd ask the photographer, but he hasn't got another image in his stream that is anything like this one.</p>

<p>TIA,<br>

Les</p>

<p>Seems like a healthy dose of Eldritch magic and photoshop wizardry, or maybe one of those lucky accidental shots</p>

<p>I'm just guessing, but perhaps very soft natural light with minus "clarity" slider in ACR?</p>

<p>The lighting is different, but here I used a negative 40 on the clarity slider in pscc acr which smoothed out the entire image.</p><div></div>

<p>I'd say all the above posters are correct. Plus a big ol' floor to ceiling window--unshaded, so direct light from the sky can strike the sitter-- and bright but overcast day outside.</p>

<p>Nice shot, Steve. Maybe just because she's pretty, but...</p>

<p>How did he get what? I'm not seeing anything unusual here. Clearly a large, soft source. Given the dark background, it could be that she's at the front edge of an overhang like a porch or at the opening of a building. Or maybe facing a large window at Bernard syas. Shallow depth of field so a wide aperture. Not sure what the excitement is.</p>

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<p>Not sure what the excitement is.</p>

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<p> <br>

It has a soft, dreamy look.<br>

<br>

Maybe you can show us a photo of yours that you think is better.</p>

<p><strong>+1 Jeff Spirer</strong><br>

<strong> </strong><br>

<strong><br /></strong>I think it's a lovely image, and cannot recall seeing one with the same qualities. It's as though it were shot with something like my 55mm f1.2 Nikkor, which (wide open) will give a sharp image with a low-contrast overlay. Only it's a lot more than just a lens. I'm also interested in the guy's use of that soft light, and the way it envelops the subject. </p>

<p>My favorite lens when specifically looking to shoot portraits of people I meet on the street is a 35mm f/1.4. I usually underexpose and shoot at maximum aperture for the look I'm trying to achieve. Finding nice light is essential, though that's often difficult depending on the environment and time of day.</p>

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<p><img src="http://citysnaps.net/2015%20Photos/Street%20portrait%202%20%201-9-11.jpg" alt="" /> <br /> <em> San Francisco, California • Copyright ©Brad Evans 2016 </em><br>

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<p>"... but he hasn't got another image in his stream that is anything like this one."<br /> <br />Many years ago Hollywood photographer Gary Bernstein gave a seminar to a very large convention group. I was seated in the rear of the ballroom and noticed an interesting soft effect of SOME of Gary's slides. It seemed it was every other slide from two different projectors. I was close enough to the projector bank to see it was simply a projector lens with a large finger print. At the end of the presentation when Gary asked the audience for questions, sure enough someone asked how he got the soft effect. He replied; "Sorry, but I'm not sure what you're seeing." <br /><br />Anyway, because the photo in question seems to be so singular, could it be just a happy accident? <br /><br />There are many ways to get a soft effect, especially nowadays with digital.<br /> However, did you know...<br /> <br />A primary goal used to be to target and diffuse just the highlights. Hasselblad Softars do this as they are "bubbles" in front of the lens. Yari diffusion disks do this as they are black nets mounted behind the lens. Yet another is the Mamiya soft portrait lens. All very different methods result in soft effects and there are many more. Some photographers would purposely scratch, nick, and mar rear elements of lenses for a signature style. It's amazing how much a lens can take! ;-)<br /> <br />A soft focus filter for a camera when used printing negatives in a darkroom will diffuse just the shadows providing a VERY different look and mood. <br /><br /></p>

<p>Using a Hasselblad Carl Zeiss Softar 1 on Kodak 35mm EPN film circa 1990, re-toned with Photoshop at present.</p><div></div>

<p>I'd still ask the photographer, as he has some creative images and might have done something very specific to get this effect. I certainly agree with everyone but Craig that this is a unique and pleasant image. Can't say I have specific ideas on what techniques were used here, but the smoothness, almost slight blurriness and Stephen's comments about the fingerprints on the projection lens reminded me of a technique I read about some years ago about using a clear filter with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to create a soft effect.</p>

It's a very nice portrait, but I

don't see anything technically

special. The Fuji X-E1 body used

is well know for producing

pleasing skin tones (better than

the newer X-E2) and the 56mm lens

is a great 'portrait lens' that

has a wide enough aperture to

give a nice out of focus

background.

 

Then there's a large, soft

natural light source and a pretty

model.

<p>Nice diffused light combined with that lens shot wide open and probably reducing clarity in editing. Colour profile looks custom. From looking at his work he seems to edit alot like me. No presets as such, but you edit to taste on each image.</p>

<p>like the others have mentioned; diffused light, wide open lens, muted color - but what make this photo sooo unique (imo) is that it is shot with her eyes closed - not usually expected in portrait work. Excellent !</p>

<p>Could be an older, manual analog lens was used...</p>

<p>Not sure I see any special color beyond a good mua. Note the cheeks, lipstick and eyebrow makeup as well as glossy period hair. The closed eyes show off her eye make up and long eye lashes. Even her top seems consistent with a 30's era look. Her face pops as it is the lightest area in the frame followed by her shirt then the soft oof background. Low ratio, soft lighting, main in approximately butterfly position. I wonder if the hair highlights are kicked up in post. </p>