Soft focus and shallow depth of field

What are some good techniques for getting cool shallow depth of field and soft focus in images without participating in cliches?

Any effect... any 'look' ...used for its own sake... can readily become a cliche. The composition should dictate what equipment and technique will be used. Not vice versa.

Keith,

I agree with you. but since I posted this thread to promote discussion, I ask, when is the right time, in your opinion to use one technique or another in any particular photo. How do you know what is the best plan for a situation? I'm not that interested in specific equipment either, other than using it in an experimental way to achieve something unique.

People often downshift into discussing photo gear rather than actual photography. I'd like to avoid that in this discussion....

Dear Tom, use a lens which has a wide aperture for it's size, ie; 300mm f5.6 lens for 10x8 film, or 50mm f 1.4 lens for 35mm.
My personal favourite is the legendary Kodak Aero Ektar 7inch f2.5 lens on 5x4 format. If you can't get hold of one of those, try the 105mm f 2.5 standard lens on a Pentax 6x7.
Regards, Andrew.

Thanks for the info Andrew.....by the way, nice pics on your website.

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Originally Posted by keithwms

Any effect... any 'look' ...used for its own sake... can readily become a cliche. The composition should dictate what equipment and technique will be used. Not vice versa.

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i agree completely!

hi tom

i never stop down except if i have to :)
the best thing to do is play with whatever you have
and see how shallow focus, front focus, back focus
putting things infront of your lens ( obstruct it),
shooting through dirty filters or windows, or pantyhose
or "whatever" works in various situations.

have fun!
john

You may want to try to use the smallest focal stop possible.

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Originally Posted by jnanian

i never stop down except if i have to :)

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Now we're getting somewhere....What else do folks have to say?

--Thanks John!:)

My original question may not have been perfectly phrased...I am asking a philosophical question here, not "How do I do it?" More like...."WHY SHOULD I do it?"

"when is the right time"

When your photographic vision calls for its use.