Shutter Sisters

a softer side

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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

  2. What an interesting perspective! I have to agree that I miss collecting my film developed photos, it was always a delightful (or sometimes disappointing) surprise. No doubt I had soft focus photos, but they’ve long since been tossed away as being "less than". Maybe it’s time for a new outlook.

  6. i really want to embrace the softness in my photos. i think it gives them warmth. my brother and i discuss this all the time because as much as we love it in other people’s photos, we always want sharp images. i’m such a new photographer and i hope to find the softness, and be comfortable with it, by the end of this year. i also received a 35mm film camera for christmas, so i’m sure i’ll have many of the photos you mentioned. so far, this is the closest i’ve gotten
    http://flickr.com/photos/71443419@N00/3153948390/

  18. I have actually taken shots recently, on purpose, that are not in focus. This is a new thing for me as I mostly love really sharp shots but sometimes soft is just… better.

    Here’s a blurry image of my brother and niece. It’s not soft, as in out of focus, but has a bit of motion blur I had not intended. But the blur evokes an emotion that a sharp focus would not.
    http://fimby.tougas.net/N-snuggles-Daddy?size=_original

  20. Gorgeous photo Tracey! I tend to edit them out (I hear my mother in my head saying "It’s blurry??") but I have started to start to look at them and use them. I’m drawn to them and love them when others do them, but when I do them I usually tend to think I messed up. Now I’ll look at my own a bit "softer".

  21. oh my gosh, tracey, this image is absolutely PERFECT. i can’t even put it into words…it just gets me right *here* in my mommy heart. i love the tones as well.

  22. I totally agree with you, Tracy. A soft focus can be every bit as important as sharp focus in creating mood and feeling in a picture. I like to evaluate each shot for the story it tells – "technical rightness" is not always a part of that – sometimes a little softness is just what is needed. Your picture above is a GREAT example.

  23. oh tracey:) this speaks to me right now…. I remember opening those photos from the lab and loving the out of focus ones, my hubs would say "well you can toss those!"…I never did, I agree sometimes the blur is necessary. Great post!

  24. I took a shot this weekend that was out of focus but I still loved the look of it. Sadly I haven’t uploaded it yet…but just sayin’ I totally get where you are coming from here. 🙂

  25. I have been having a love affair with blur for a while now. Your example above is so inspiring. I can not wait to take my own to another level.

  28. Sometimes things don’t have to be perfect for a picture to be what you want it to be. I’ve taken some with the white balance accidentally set wrong and got blurred pictures that still say what i want them to. It’s the artistic ability to see something in it, even if it isn’t perfect.

  32. What a great photo and a wonderful perspective! I have to admit that I’m one of those people who delete the majority of my blurry (soft) shots. Here’s one that I hadn’t got around to deleting yet . . . and I don’t believe I’m going to! I’ll start looking a little closer at these shots from now on, and maybe I’ll even find a little magic in some of them to hold on to. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/3174244692/?addedcomment=1#comment72157612240593710

  33. i once interviewed an artist who lost 90% of her sight in an accident. when i asked her how she managed to make art, she said something which has stayed with me all these years: "sometimes, it is better not to see too clearly."

  39. Thanks for this post Tracey. As I edit my first wedding shoot…I have been struggling with this very issue…thank you for the freedom to accept the beauty I see in the less than perfect images and the confidence to convince the bride and groom of their beauty as well.

  42. i am believer. it’s a method i have been messing around with on occasion too. i even started a set on my flickr, mishaps worth keeping, because i liked some of the out of focus shots i wasn’t intentionally taking. it’s just another way of looking at things.

    http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3032132275/in/set-72157608792192439/
    http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3022100505/in/set-72157608792192439/
    http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3015689189/in/set-72157608792192439/
    http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3041747769/in/set-72157608792192439/

  70. 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.

  71. 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

  73. 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.

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

  77. 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/

  79. 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