STF mode in Maxxum 7 recreated for DSLR's

Posted by Photoman What did you do to the masked layer? Did you apply a gaussian blur or lens blur filter in photoshop?

Lens Blur in PS gives a blur that looks more like a lens blur. You can simulate the number of diafragm blades, rounded diafragm blades and specular highlights.

With a good masking technique you can create STF-like images in pp.

Gr.

How much time did this cost you?

dekie wrote: Lens Blur in PS gives a blur that looks more like a lens blur.

While I get your point, and appreciate the example, I must respectfully disagree with your assessment for all situations.

Without addressing the oddness in the hand/mouth area of your sample, what works adequately enough for quick web shots does not always translate properly for large art or portfolio images worthy of lengthy closeup inspection. As with any Photo Shop blurring technique, the texture of the blurred area is nearly impossible to match to the texture of the non blurred area. Although this is not apparent in web shots, I find it is apparent in print work both published and private. And I certainly don't want to start filtering any more than I have to just to match granularity and noise between foreground and background. That makes it difficult to keep an entire series consistent.

My goal is to always shoot it the best possible, and then use PP only when necessary, if at all.

Sure I understand, and don't want to downplay the technique, as it certainly is a viable one.

My experience has shown the PP background blur works well for shots that don't show the ground. But getting the transitional defocus necessary for shots showing the feet is much more challenging.