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How do I use a soft-focus filter?
A soft-focus filter creates a gentle, flattering softness in your images, while keeping the main subject in focus. This is different from simply blurring or defocusing the lens. The filter works by slightly diffusing the light across the image, which creates a glowing, dreamy quality around highlights and edges. The result is a subtly romantic look that has been popular in portrait photography for a long time.
To use one, you simply screw the filter onto the front of your lens and shoot as normal. There are no extra settings required in-camera. The effect is visible in the viewfinder or on the live view screen as you shoot, so you can see exactly what you're getting before you press the shutter.
Soft-focus filters work particularly well for portrait and beauty photography, giving skin a naturally kind and flattering appearance without looking heavily edited. They can also be used for still life, wedding photography, and any situation where a slightly ethereal or vintage quality suits the subject. For portraits specifically, the effect is often most pleasing in softer, diffused natural light, such as overcast conditions or open shade, rather than harsh direct sunlight. You can also experiment with combining a soft-focus filter with a wide aperture for an extra dreamy result. We stock soft-focus filters from Nikon in a range of thread sizes including 52mm, 67mm, 72mm, and 77mm, to fit a variety of lenses.