Post photos that bring blur to the foreground with #ReverseFocus for a chance to be featured. To highlight the community's creativity and show our appreciation, we will also handpick images to license for an upcoming VSCO campaign.
Photography can dance softly between reality and abstraction. Experiment with focus and blur to keep details in the background of your shot sharp as the foreground fades into an ethereal world of shape, color, and form.
Create a layered composition
To add depth and intrigue, experiment with focusing on distant objects while letting the foreground drift out of focus. Use natural elements like flowers or fences in the foreground to create a soft, dreamy contrast for a sharp background.
Take control of focus
Phone: Use manual focus in your camera or VSCO’s in-app camera to tap and focus on the background, making the foreground blurry. Get closer to the foreground object to increase the blur effect.
Digital Camera/DSLR: Use a wide aperture such as f/1.8 - f/2.8 to create a shallow depth-of-field. Focus on distant subjects to make foreground elements fall into the blur. Experiment with focal lengths; longer lenses can enhance this effect.
Tools to try
Try using these tools to create your look.
Blur: Enhance or add blur to any part of an image. Use this tool to exaggerate the softness in the foreground while maintaining a sharp background.
Grain: Add a layer of texture to create a vintage aesthetic. Grain can help soften the transition between the blurry and sharp layers of your composition.
Film FX: Recreate and remix real film looks. Complement a blurry foreground with a light leak effect or a bit of lens flare.
