worry lines

[darinwc]

What is the best way to soften select areas of a print?
I have a photo of a bride and she is very self-concious about her worry lines.

 

[removed account4]

the cellophane that wraps boxes of tea sometimes
works wonders ... but you can't have a heavy hand ...

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Just be aware that if you choose to soften at the print enlarging stage, you are effectively blurring the shadows (the projected light). This is a distinctly different effect than choosing to soften at the film exposure stage, where you are effectively softening the highlights (the imaging light). Most people - albeit not all - consider the latter to be a pleasant effect, and the former a sometimes disturbing effect.

Ken

 

[keithwms]

Just be aware that if you choose to soften at the print enlarging stage, you are effectively blurring the shadows (the projected light). This is a distinctly different effect than choosing to soften at the film exposure stage, where you are effectively softening the highlights (the imaging light). Most people - albeit not all - consider the latter to be a pleasant effect, and the former a sometimes disturbing effect.

Ken

So perhaps duping the neg would help.... or making a paper neg...

 

[Jim Noel]

The image should have been made with a soft focus lens with soft light for best effect.
A piece of panty hose stretched in an embroidery hoop is a great darkroom tool for minor diffusion.

 

[MattKing]

Matte surface paper helps.

 

[bdial]

If you print using the split-grade technique, dodging the face during the hard exposure may work. It's not something I've tried though, so I don't know for sure. My standard method is what's already been mentioned.

 

[removed account4]

i was under the impression that the OP
had the negative and was wondering how
to print it ...
soft light, wide open and back focusing can do wonders
with any format and any lens ..

the cellophane trick only works if you pass it through
the beam of enlarger light with a certain amount of speed ...

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

i was under the impression that the OP
had the negative and was wondering how
to print it ...

As was I, and just wanted to remind about the difference between bleeding shadows into highlights versus highlights into shadows when looking to tone down negative sharpness via diffusion during printing.

Ken

 

[removed account4]

diffusing in the exposure
or at the printing stage ...
both have the potential of
being "disturbing" or "pleasing"
it depends on how heavy handed
or how skilled the photographer / printer is...

the problem is that many people
go overboard one way or the other ...

 

[paul_c5x4]

i was under the impression that the OP
had the negative and was wondering how
to print it ...

the cellophane trick only works if you pass it through
the beam of enlarger light with a certain amount of speed ...

There's me thinking you were advocating wrapping the subject in cellophane

 

[chimneyfinder]

I would print selective split grade: a soft grade base exposure through a diffuser (black stocking, diffused plastic, etc.) the effect can be varied depending on how long you put the diffusing material into the light path - try half the exposure first; followed by a subtle burn in at a harder grade using an aperture in card for the eyes and mouth - don't forget to jiggle the card slightly even for such small areas. Hopefully, this will reduce the skin lines and retain a pleasing look, though it will take several attempts.

 

[Pavel+]

There's me thinking you were advocating wrapping the subject in cellophane

I take it that your thinking was imaginings of the honeymoon. Shame!

 

[removed account4]

I take it that your thinking was imaginings of the honeymoon. Shame!

either that
or a scene from
the movie BRAZIL

 

[MattKing]

either that
or a scene from
the movie BRAZIL

Original release, or the Director's Cut?