Filters: Traditional or Digital?

[Colin Southern]

I am sure that you could accomplish this using Photoshop but, it does give the imprression of a soft focus filter...

http://prodesigntools.com/photoshop-...n-compare.html

Often I find effects like that just don't seem "quite right" - I suspect it's due to the package essentially treating the subject and background as 2 seperate zones, whereas in reality, their is also a transition zone between them that you get when shooting wide-open. Perhaps a bit like compositing one subject onto a different background; if you just "cut and paste" it looks (pardon the obvious) "cut and pasted" whereas in a real photo, again, there is a (small) transitional area that (in the case of a composite) needs to be handled with a small inner shadow or blur.

[Viana]

I am sure that you could accomplish this using Photoshop but, it does give the imprression of a soft focus filter...

http://prodesigntools.com/photoshop-...n-compare.html

IMHO, Topaz Lens Effects does a much better job: http://www.topazlabs.com/lenseffects/

It uses depth mapping for accurate DOF. You can do DMs in Photoshop, but it’s a pain.

[Laureys]

Hi, I shoot mostly Landscape and Nature Photography, I live in the Pacific North West, shoot a lot in forestry also and when it rains or just after it rains. 2 filters I use, CPL (90% of the time) and GND, to get reflections of rocks, leafs or shoot waterfalls I always use my CPL. Its always on my glass most of the time, unless I shoot extreme wide angle.

[keith201]

I still don't really understand what the 'Magic Cloth' is!

[Colin Southern]

I still don't really understand what the 'Magic Cloth' is!

Basically an "obstruction" that you put in front of the lens for PART of a long exposure that stops the light from the brighter part of a scene from (temporarily) reaching the sensor.