soft focus

American  

noun

Photography.

1. an image, often created by a special lens, that is recognizable but somewhat blurred or diffused.

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Other Word Forms

• soft-focus adjective

Etymology

Origin of soft focus

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

There could have been a traditional press release, or a statement delivered to the camera, but instead there's a soft focus, cinematic touch to this message.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2024

The lack of dolly shots, soft focus, back light, etc., gives the proceedings an unexpected intimacy.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2023

Popular ideas about preschool usually involve a soft focus on cuddly kids, not the stuff of tough public policy or hard numbers.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 11, 2023

“This play actually goes the other way and shows the three of them without a soft focus at all. I really think that we see three very flawed egomaniacs.”

From New York Times • Jul. 25, 2023

There is a very definite demand on the part of both magazines and newspapers for soft focus pictures.

From Pictorial Photography in America 1921 by Pictorial Photographers of America