Original Image

End Result with Soft Focus Applied

Create New Layer via Copy

Step One: Open the image you would like to edit, and Create a Copied Layer of the image. CTRL+J (PC) or CMD+J (Mac) or go to Layer>New>Layer via Copy.

Always work off a layer copy instead of the original image, so if something goes wrong you can always revert back to the original. Also for this technique we will mask out some of the copied layer which will show through to the original layer below.

Gaussian Blur 10.6 or to your adjust to your liking.

Step Two: We are now going to give the image a Gaussian Blur.

Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. This is where you can adjust the blur to your liking. This is what will ultimately effect how soft the focus look in the finished image. The more blur the more the image with have a soft focus. For this image a blur it to 10.6.

Change Layer Mode to Lighten

Step 3: In the layer box you have the Layer option s in a drop down box on the top left. Select the Lighten Layer Mode to see the Soft Focus technique applied.

Change Layer Mode to Lighten

Layer Mask applied to Layer

If you don’t like the detail loss on the face you can adjust this simply by masking out the face slightly. To accomplish this select the layer copy and click on the Add layer mask icon at the bottom of the layer palette

Now select the erase tool (E) and change the brush to a Hardness to 0% and the size I selected was 300 for the Master Diameter (but this is all dependent on the size or area you want to erase).

Now Layer mask works by a simple black and white rule. Whatever is White will show the effect of that layer over the layered image below. Black will simple mask out the layer above allowing you to see the layer directly below the masked layer.

In the tool palette select black as the main color (so you can mask out the gaussian blur) or simple click (d) on the keyboard which will set the Foreground color to black and the Background color to white.

Now make sure the layer mask is selected and begin to erase away the face. You will slowly see the soft focus and the face begin to look sharper as you begin to mask out the blur. Mask to the desired effect.