A floral softness

A simple soft-focus technique can many times bring out the true beauty that drew us to an intent.

There are many ways that you can pull this type of softness out. Everything from simply blowing on the lens, to using multiple exposure (my personal favorite), engaging the moment with slow shutters and about 15 other painting techniques too involved to mention here will give you an effect similar to this. None are right and none are wrong — they are just choices.

Whichever one you use though remember to focus on how the colors, lines, shapes and patterns make you feel. This will prove extraordinarily hard for the beginner. But it can be done.

We call this train of thought: 'giving up the bird'. It's when you purposefully strive to not focus on what others typically would — such as a bird in a tree or a flower in your garden (such as in this photo). When you give up what you think you're supposed to focus on — magical things can happen — this I promise.

Again, As I always say ... turn off your auto focus and open your eyes to what actually drew you to a scene in the first place — then simply use every tool and technique at your disposal to make that vision happen.