a softer side

Way back when, in the days of shooting film, getting prints back from the lab was always a little like Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to tear into each bag and sift through the stack of photographs. Its one of the many parts of the process of film (pun intended) that I really miss. Inadvertently, from every roll, there were at least a few shots that were totally out of focus. Working with children can do that to even the keenest of auto focus capabilities. And add to the equation low light which in turn can make for a slower shutter speed and you’ve got the set up for some blurry shots. But, it’s not the blur from motion of which I speak, I’m talking about just plain old out of focusness. The semi-technical term for something that isn’t quite sharp enough is soft. And when a shot is supposed to be in sharp focus (like maybe a traditional headshot for instance) and its soft, it’s usually edited out, which I can understand.

But, what about those images that don’t have to be (or even aren’t suppose to be) in sharp focus to translate as successful? Before even giving it a chance, I think many people might blurt out, ‘out of focus’ as they toss the photo aside. Maybe it’s because sometimes these are captured on accident. Maybe it’s because soft isn’t suppose to be good, at least in some circles.

When the delicate perfection of a soft image speaks to me (for reasons that aren’t always easy to explain or even justify to non-believers) I covet them. Yes, and show them to my clients and even boast of their beauty—beckoning them to believe—to see and appreciate the mystery and magic that these kinds of images hold.

I subscribe to the belief that a good shot is a good shot, now matter who captures it. I have said it a million times over. I also believe that a good shot is a good shot, even if it is out of focus. Not every soft photo works, but when it does, there’s nothing like it. Just gaze on the beauty that these images by aspence61 and Kate C. celebrate. It’s undeniable.

Are you a believer? Do you celebrate your own images even if they might not follow the rules? Have you secretly coveted a shot of all-over out of focusness? Do you even dare to do it on purpose? Share a thought or image with us won’t you, and tell us how you see it?

Comments

[Misty]

I blogged just for this challenge. http://myinneraria.blogspot.com/2009/01/celebrating-soft-images.html

I accidentally missed the focus on both of these but loved them instantly with the softness.

[Jean M Fogle]

Softly slurred helps make an action picture come alive. When I photograph dogs I often need sharp focus, but running and digging pictures look better with some slurring in the pic to help the pic come alive!
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com

[Gail]

I had started to feel guilty over how many "soft" slightly blurred pictures I have saved because I liked them but wouldn't share them with others...now I think I will try doing it on purpose! This pic was accidental - I hate the flash look so I get a lot of these...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3174505413/

[Karyn]

I must confess, I did not take this shot - but I am in it, and it was taken with my apparently malfunctioning camera. I love it because my friend and I are both looking at her husband like "oh poor guy, do you need some help with that camera?". It just makes me laugh....

http://www.mundanedetails.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/dsc_0099a.jpg
Credit goes to Mr. Fannin of Fort Wayne, IN

[Melissa]

I've tried a little bit of the soft focus, I really need to be more artistic with my photos. Here's one of my fuzzy favorites:

http://melissaesplin.com/home/wp-content/gallery/penelopepearl3/pen13.jpg

[Alicia]

With my simple digital camera, it's hard to control the blur shot. But if I try to bring my camera up quick and snap before the camera has time to think, sometimes I get lucky.

http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2008/11/tall-trees.html

[Leslie]

I took this one at Christmas purely by accident...and though my niece is not quite in focus, her expression made it worth keeping:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/westieluvr/3152792225/

[elizabeth]

I do! I love this shot, for example, even though I had others where the pup was in focus. Somehow this captured his constant in-motion state and the fuzzy feelings of happiness and love that I feel whenever I watch him.

http://retinalperspectives.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/weimaraner-wednesday/

[Liz]

i ADORE low light, so many of my photos end up a bit blurry.

dancing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/3175815600/

dancing, before i even knew to try for the blur:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/756349879/in/set-72157594587518806/

fire in motion:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/2854300657/in/set-72157606888700630/

[Megan Keller]

I completely agree. I love the natural light photographs and think that it adds so much depth and character to photos. I appreciate your thoughts. One of my favorite photographs is a bit blurred..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24328557@N00/3175913084/

[Busymomma66]

You've made a believer out of me. (especially with that photo!)

Here's my image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/busymomma66/3175169421/

[gina]

Out of all the pictrues taken that day, it was the out of focus shot I loved the most. Thanks for the reminder. It's been fun seeing others "soft" shots.

http://www.lifesongsphoto.com/Site/Everyday/Entries/2008/7/10_Smiles.html

[Cheryl Doran-Girard]

Gave some thought to dumping this image and for some reason the sense of softness in the reed reflection appealed to me. Interesting topic, thanks once again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheryldoran-girard/3057618188/

[Jenny Rebecca]

I got this shot that is completely out of focus, but I ADORE the expression I captured on my daughter's face!!!
http://flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/3176071204/in/set-72157610897469813/

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

Leaca wrote about this after you did, and I totally agree. "Mistakes" or breaking the rules, or whatever, can be wonderful little gifts. I just too often discard them as not worthy.

This is one I kept recently of our new dog, and I love it just because of the feeling I got from the shot.
http://flickr.com/photos/greeblemonkey/3145900946/

[hi kooky]

Beautiful photo. It's just right. I'm with you on the focus thing. I like to think of what I do as "making pictures" - with a camera. Sometimes soft is perfect.

http://hikooky.blogspot.com/2008/12/cure-all.html

I'm new to this blog. Love it. So thankful you all are here!

[Bridge]

http://flickr.com/photos/ridethewavesoflife/3064510967/

I forgot this one!

[Wanda]

I keep shots I like even if I don't know why I like them. Sure, most of my soft focus shots are "mistakes," but some of them are just delicious:

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-after-twelfth-night-twelve.html

[Tracy]

I adore out of focus shots!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/3129366717/

[Deb Buckingham]

I, too believe that a good shot is good whether in focus or not. It's the creativity of it all that makes it special. I love the "soft" focus. It creates an image that is sure to bring a "wow". I've added your link to my blog, I love to check in every once in a while and see what's going on.

[Julie]

I love this soft and out of focus picture. I did some of this over Christmas with the tree lights but now I want to try it with people. Thanks for sharing. Wow!
Julie

[m]

well with the holga and a stifff shutter everything is 'soft' but I think its the joy of it.

http://www.creativevoyage.co.uk/node/114

[Mary Jo]

I have been drawn to the out of focus, but especially blurry photos in my own personal shots (never considered myself a photographer) since I was a kid. There was something just magical, and to me, truer about them. That's why this photo:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/209455783_0b61cfea8a_o.jpg
is my favorite self-portrait. To me, it really picks up the truth. And it's also why staged blurry/moving shots don't usually do it for me when I see them.

[aino]

Love the softness here - just perfect. Dreamy and friendly. Thank you for reminding me of this.

[miz katie]

Oooh, yes! I do this ALL the time..

http://www.mizkatie.com/photographs

[Marina]

http://pics.livejournal.com/cherokeebee/pic/000r94c8

It was on purpose, though I don't remember why. I do remember it being a pain in the ass to take - my technical knowledge is nada and it was taken on a point-and-shoot that I just couldn't get to NOT focus. No idea how I got it in the end, but I did and it's one of my favourite shots.

[Gardenmama]

I'm a little behind on this, but I actually took some soft pictures on purpose several weeks ago. My daughter was jumping back and forth between couch cushions on the floor, and I wanted to capture her movement from one cushion to another. Just like another commenter said, when I saw the results I thought, "Hmmm, I wonder if this if how people get those 'there's a ghost in my house!' pictures."

http://wwwsunshinethroughthewindows.blogspot.com/

[Stephanie]

I'm so glad you posted this! I just started the (very long) process of going through & purging my photo archives, and there are several shots I decided to keep after seeing new beauty in their blur. One example is a photo of my husband-then-boyfriend, out of focus behind a tree:
http://flickr.com/photos/32835633@N04/3182185685/

[victoria winters]

Ooh. I struggle with this. It's so instinctual for me to hit delete on the out of focus ones. I didn't delete this one though because I love the mood.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/3066766228_28089496b5.jpg

And, of course, this one captures my toddler's first steps so who cares if it's motion blurred!?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3185122096_6a75d498cb.jpg

And this one is part of a series I recently did in response to my diagnosis of thyroid cancer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/3084014611_5c04c86014.jpg

[davina]

I think this is sooo true. Sometimes an out of focus images is the only way to really be able to share what the moment is like. I just posted about the time just before my kids nod off to sleep and I think that this out of focus image works perfectly to capture that fuzzy, not quite asleep, dreamy time just between world and sleeping.

http://davina.squarespace.com/journal/2009/1/9/my-favorite-time-of-the-night.html

[iHanna]

Yes, I'm a beliver too, I need more of them though... after reading this article! Thanks

http://flickr.com/photos/ihanna/sets/72057594079699797/

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