Xtreme Faux Bokeh

[steve.ledger]

OK, so French and Japanese used together in the title may look a bit weird, but the 'Bokeh' effect (Blurry/Fuzzy/Faded) is easy to fake (nisemono) entirely in Xara Xtreme alone with the option to add interest using a plugin of choice.

It certainly can add interest to photos taken with not so exciting digital cameras.

How I did this? Next post.

[steve.ledger]

How I created the above effect.

Note: This isn't the only way.
Feel free to post your own methods

[juergen]

Good idea.

you can have similar effects without software even by using a lensbaby.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lensbaby

Juergen

[gwpriester]

Xtreme 4 also has a Soft Focus filter (Live Effects Tool > Soften) that I think does the same thing.

[gwpriester]

Here's a Workbook tutorial I did on this a while back

Focusing on One Object

[AndFarr]

Rotation Blur.

- Andrew

[steve.ledger]

Good idea.

you can have similar effects without software even by using a lensbaby.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lensbaby

Juergen

Sure, this is what the traditional photographic Bohek effect is, ie; via a camera lens.
The point of this thread is to create a faux (false) lens 'bokeh' (blurry/fuzzy) lens effect using software.

[steve.ledger]

Xtreme 4 also has a Soft Focus filter (Live Effects Tool > Soften) that I think does the same thing.

That's right Gary.
As I pointed out in my second post, my example is not the only way.
Xtreme gives you several tools to acheive similar results.
It all comes down to the result you are trying to achieve.

Add lens flares is a nice touch Gary

[gwpriester]

Those were supposed to be the circular thingies in the original tutorial image.

And yes there are always many ways to do something in Xtreme. But as far as I am concerned there is my way, and the wrong way.

[steve.ledger]

... as far as I am concerned there is my way, and the wrong way.

Remember this is an international forum Gary, some non-English readers might mistake that as a quip