soft focus
n.
PhotographyHaving an image that is not sharp as the result of optical imperfections.
Notes
True soft focus results when light from a subject is focused in different planes. Soft focus can be produced by lenses with spherical aberration or by diffusion in the optics. Portrait photographers often use lenses that are intentionally designed to introduce soft focus or use a diffusion screen in front of the lens to hide blemishes or glamorize the subject. Images that are not sharp are often described as soft, although 'soft focus' is not exactly synonymous with 'out of focus'.
