Portrait Diffusion Blur & Glow 1

This technique has its roots in the practice of making 'montage' images by combining ('sandwiching') two or three colour slides of the same subject in register in the same mount and creating an eerie diffuse 'glow' by blurring and over-exposure.

Like many photographers, I enjoyed the fascinating, impressionistic and frequently surreal combinations of colour, contrast and patterns that 'sandwiching' colour slides could produce. The method was always chancy and relied upon an element of serendipity for its success. However, if one wasn't prepared to experiment, the opportunity to produce some truly stunning pictures was lost as too was the knowledge that could be gained from such experimentation - not to mention that it was fun! The same is true for digital imaging techniques; we must continue to experiment to reveal new ways of making pictures and to better express ourselves.

We can mimic the diffusion effect of 'sandwiching' two colour slides - one sharply defined (over-exposed by one stop), the other, very blurred (overexposed by two-stops). However, there's more than one way of achieving a result which approaches the original 'slide sandwich' - typically this would involve several copy layers plus some 'adjustment layers' to tweak and correct the image along the way.

The method described below will produce a quick result and one that can be 'adjusted and tweaked' for 'fine tuning'. The early stages of this method use a slightly uncommon route.

Please note, it will be an advantage to have a knowledge of Photoshop to enable easy use of 'Layers, Layer Masks, Adjustment Layers and Blend Modes. Please refer to sections of the 'Know-How' list for further advice about these topics.

Let's start.....

Open your chosen image

Portraiture Romantic Diffusion Blur & Glow Clive R. Haynes FRPS



This technique has its roots in the practice of making 'montage' images by combining ('sandwiching') two or three colour slides of the same subject in register in the same mount and creating an eerie diffuse 'glow' by blurring and over-exposure. Like many photographers, I enjoyed the fascinating, impressionistic and frequently surreal combinations of colour, contrast and patterns that 'sandwiching' colour slides could produce. The method was always chancy and relied upon an element of serendipity for its success. However, if one wasn't prepared to experiment, the opportunity to produce some truly stunning pictures was lost as too was the knowledge that could be gained from such experimentation - not to mention that it was fun! The same is true for digital imaging techniques; we must continue to experiment to reveal new ways of making pictures and to better express ourselves. We can mimic the diffusion effect of 'sandwiching' two colour slides - one sharply defined (over-exposed by one stop), the other, very blurred (overexposed by two-stops). However, there's more than one way of achieving a result which approaches the original 'slide sandwich' - typically this would involve several copy layers plus some 'adjustment layers' to tweak and correct the image along the way. The method described below will produce a quick result and one that can be 'adjusted and tweaked' for 'fine tuning'. The early stages of this method use a slightly uncommon route. Please note, it will be an advantage to have a knowledge of Photoshop to enable easy use of 'Layers, Layer Masks, Adjustment Layers and Blend Modes. Please refer to sections of the 'Know-How' list for further advice about these topics. Let's start..... Open your chosen image


Above: The Opening Image

Next: Go to the Image menu and choose 'Duplicate' We need to lighten this 'Duplicate' image to simulate the appearance of about two-stops overexposure do this by: Image > Apply Image In the dialogue box that opens, choose 'Screen' Opacity 100% Mask - Not ticked Click OK See 'Screen Grabs' below





Above: The image has an overexposed appearance

Next: Image > Duplicate

Next: Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur Set the Radius to quite severely blur the image. Note: The effect will be pixel / file-size dependent. For the example herewith, the file size is around 5mb and the blur 'Radius' was set to 10.0. For 10mb images (A4 size @ 200ppi) experiment with Radius settings of say, 40 to 60 and for 20 - 25mb images (A3 size @ 200ppi) experiment with Radius settings of say, 80 to 120. The precise amounts will very considerably from image to image depending upon content and what is aesthetically pleasing.
Next: Copy and paste the blurred image above the sharp, overexposed version. Do this by either: Select > All Edit > Copy Select > Deselect Go to the sharp image, Edit > Paste Or, use the Move Tool and with the Shift key held down, drag the blurred image to the sharp (over-exposed) image. NB: To ensure accurate registration, release the Shift key after releasing the mouse click (or graphic pen) Change the Blend Mode of the blurred layer to 'Multiply' (top of Layers Palette, click on drop-down arrow to the right of 'Normal' - from the list choose 'Multiply') You now have an image with a diffuse glow and sharp areas 'popping through'.


Above: Layer Blend mode for blurred image set to 'Multiply'



Above: The result of overlaying the diffuse image in 'Multiply Blend mode' above the lighter image Typically, the image will appear too dark. The next stage corrects this.

Selectively Restoring Original Detail & Sharpness Add a Layer Mask to the upper layer. Click on Layer Mask icon at the base of the Layers Palette). Use the Brush Tool with black as the Foreground colour to reveal areas of sharper, underlying layers as required. Also, as in this example, it may may advantageous to reduce the overall Layer Opacity (here at 75%).


Above: Notice that the brush strokes in the Layer Mask area are gentle and with grey tones, partially and selectively revealing the (sharper) layer beneath.


Above: The combined image