Point and Shoot Photo Enhancement Using Photoshop CS6 Iris Blur

P&S cameras, with their small sensors, are great for getting closeup macro shots. However, even using the widest aperture, the background doesn't have the nice blur/bokeh you can achieve with some DSLR lens. Photoshop CS6 has a new blur filter called Iris Blur which allows you to blur the background while keeping the selected circular region in focus. This can be used to simulate a shallow DOF. The process is this: 1) Choose your focal point 2) Expand or contract the circle of focus 3) Adjust the blur strength, color, and lighting. It works pretty good. Below are some before and after pictures of a sensitive briar flower taken with a Fujifilm F505 in the macro mode.

After

Before

My Review of B + W 72mm #110 3.0 (1000x) Neutral Density Glass Filter with Single Coating

Originally submitted at Adorama

B + W 72mm #110 3.0 (1000x) Neutral Density Glass Filter with Single Coating

B + W 72mm #110 3.0 (1000x) Neutral Density Glass Filter with Single Coating

Outstanding ND Filter

By HWPhoto from Greenville, SC on 4/23/2012

5out of 5

Pros: Easy To Use, Firm Mount, Clear Optics
Best Uses: Long Exposure
Describe Yourself: Photo Enthusiast
Was this a gift?: No

If you need to knock down the light a bit, this is an excellent way to do it. Allows long exposures, even on sunny days. I use it for photography waterfalls.

(legalese)

Shooting through plastic water bottle (Lensbaby look)

I cut a water bottle in half and slipped it over my f35 3.5mm Macro lens. Here are a couple of shots I liked. Great fun experimenting with holding it different ways. I would focus first, then put the plastic over the lens.

Here's how I did it.