How the heck...

Ok, this is probably a well known thing but I just don't know how to do it. I like to look at other photographers websites to stay on top of trends. With that being said I notice that they all have the same type "look". What I mean is, the photos are crisp but still have a soft effect to the whole image. How in the heck do they do that? I use PSE12 and I'm sure I can do it too but I think I might be looking in the wrong spot.

Post an example, please.

Can i do that if it is off of another photographers website?

If you want us to help, you could post a link to some pictures that have that look you're after. But please, don't post pictures that you haven't taken yourself. Links are OK.

Oh ok, let me see what I can do.

When you find an image, right click on it and choose "Image Properties...." . That should provide you with the URL we can find it with.

All of her family photos have the "glossy" look. I'm not sure what the technical term is.

Rhealite said:

All of her family photos have the "glossy" look. I'm not sure what the technical term is.

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Glossy is opposite of soft though. You said "soft" look in your original post. I wonder if you are maybe referring to a blurred background (bokeh) and a sharp focus on the subject?

Soft is what I meant, sorry

I suspect using a full frame camera with a 1.4 lens and bringing up the shadows and desaturating a bit would produce that look. Most of the pictures are also backlit and that alone could introduce a little flare effect that could also be imitated (up to a point) with a blur filter in post production.

Rhealite said:

Soft is what I meant, sorry

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See my edited post above yours there. I added to my question.

No, this seems to be more then just boken, it seems to be an overall softness.

Marcel said:

I suspect using a full frame camera with a 1.4 lens and bringing up the shadows and desaturating a bit would produce that look. Most of the pictures are also backlit and that alone could introduce a little flare effect that could also be imitated (up to a point) with a blur filter in post production.

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Is there a way to get the same type loo with my D7000? Maybe in PSE

Rhealite said:

Is there a way to get the same type loo with my D7000? Maybe in PSE

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Do you have a 1.4 lens? Or at least a 1.8. The post processing could be done to get that look too. You just have to know how to get there. And there's nothing like trying to learn.

If it isn't the bokeh then I don't see anything different or that stands out about her photographs that looks special. What am I missing? I certainly know how to add overall "softness" to any photograph but it will be just that, a softness like looking through a thin piece of mesh or nylon that gives that dreamy effect. I do not see that in her photos though.

Marcel said:

Do you have a 1.4 lens? Or at least a 1.8. The post processing could be done to get that look too. You just have to know how to get there. And there's nothing like trying to learn.

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No, I have been putting off getting a new lens. I have been having issues with back focus and I wanted to clear that up before I invested in better glass.

I do, as others pointed out, see a lot of use of back lighting using the sun or sunlight through a window, to add that back lit hair glow/hair light effect. Is that flare, or aura, what you are referring too?

Rhealite said:

No, I have been putting off getting a new lens. I have been having issues with back focus and I wanted to clear that up before I invested in better glass.

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Well, now at least you know what you're trying to achieve as far a look or feel. There is nothing keeping you to learn about the light and the post processing that would bring you closer to that look, but I suspect the main ingredient could be a 1.4 lens.

Mike D90 said:

If it isn't the bokeh then I don't see anything different or that stands out about her photographs that looks special. What am I missing? I certainly know how to add overall "softness" to any photograph but it will be just that, a softness like looking through a thin piece of mesh or nylon that gives that dreamy effect. I do not see that in her photos though.

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Maybe it is just what Marcel is saying, a better glass then I have. But, since you mentioned it how do you add the overall softness?