How can I selectively blur part of a photo in-camera, beyond normal depth of field?
Asked 5/29/2013
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2 answers
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I want to create blur in only part of the frame while taking the photo, not by adding blur in post-processing and not just by relying on ordinary depth of field. For example, in a portrait with a wall behind the subject, the wall is parallel to the sensor, so it would normally blur evenly. How can I make only an area of that wall—such as the top portion—appear much more blurred with an optical, natural-looking effect? What lenses, filters, or techniques can do this?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
3
Tilting the lens can be used to blur part of an image in a way similar to how you describe. A special lens (tilt-shift) or adaptor is required to be able to do this. With some lenses you can get away with detaching the lens and holding it at an angle, a technique known as freelensing.
This will add a gradual blur to a perpendicular wall very similar to the effects of decreased DOF (so similar in fact that this technique is used to produce "fake miniatures", images of life sized objects made to appear microscopic by simulating very shallow depth of field.
An alternative is to use something like vaseline on the front of the lens (or preferably on a filter mounted on the lens). This gives a classic soft focus type blur, very different in character to out-of-focus blur.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—there are a few in-camera ways to do this.
The closest match to a natural out-of-focus look is lens tilt. A tilt-shift lens (or similar system such as some Lensbaby lenses) tilts the plane of focus so blur can increase across part of a flat background instead of staying even. A DIY version is freelensing: slightly detach and angle the lens by hand, though it’s harder to control.
If you want a softer, glow-like blur rather than true defocus, use soft-focus/diffusion filters. A common DIY method is smearing Vaseline on a cheap UV filter (not directly on the lens), often around the edges and leaving the center clear. Pantyhose over the lens can also soften the image, though it’s less precise.
You can also experiment with a filter holder and a homemade selective diffusion mask for more customized placement of the blur.
So: for blur that resembles shallow depth of field, use tilt/freelensing/Lensbaby. For dreamy softness, use diffusion or DIY smeared filters.
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