How can I create a dreamy, misty look in backlit outdoor portraits?
Asked 7/29/2021
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2 answers
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I’m trying to recreate a soft, dreamy outdoor portrait look where the light feels almost mist-like around the subjects’ heads. In the example, the background blur looks natural, but I’m not sure whether the glowing haze is mostly natural light, lens flare, actual mist, or post-processing. What shooting conditions and techniques would produce this effect?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
4y ago
2 Answers
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I'd say this was done [or certainly could be done] intentionally in camera. The warm pinkish-orangeish light is likely to be done in post these days, but it's possible to do it with a physical filter.
There's actual mist, to throw you off, but it looks like it was just shot straight into a weak sun. This would produce the lens flare [the big circle & stripes from the top] & also veiling glare, which adds to the mistiness around their faces. See How can I intentionally include lens flare in my photographs? and What is "veiling glare"? How does it affect my photos, and how can I avoid it?
It's possible there may be some front fill with flash, but not a lot, or it would start to hide the translucency of the dress.
Originally by user57929. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user57929
4y ago
0
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This look is mostly achievable in camera with natural backlight, then enhanced in post.
The key is shooting toward a low, weak sun so light wraps around the subjects and creates lens flare plus veiling glare, which gives that soft “misty” glow. Actual haze or mist can help, but it isn’t strictly necessary. The background blur/bokeh is likely natural, while the warm pink-orange tone was probably strengthened in editing (or less commonly with a physical filter).
To try it:
- Place the sun behind or just off to the side of your subjects.
- Shoot into the light to encourage flare and glow.
- Use the sun angle near sunset/sunrise for softer light.
- Expect some loss of facial detail; this effect often washes out contrast.
- If needed, use only a little fill flash, since too much can kill the translucent, airy look.
So: mostly natural backlighting and flare, possibly with some real atmospheric haze, then post-processing to boost warmth, exposure, and softness.
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