technique to get the "Karsh, Hurrell" look from sharp lenses??

[stradibarrius]

Is there a way to get that softer look from lenses that are really sharp. I have heard of using Vaseline on the lens...
I really like the old portrait style of Karsh and Hurrell. It seems that using something like vaseline would give to much of a "soft focus" look and that is not exactly what I have in mind. I have a 150mmSF lens for my RB67 and that look is not what I want.
Obviously I would like to be able to use the lenses I have...Symmanar-s 180mm, Fujinon-W 300mm, Claron-G 240mm.

[jp]

Karsh isn't terribly soft. You could easily get a commercial ektar to do a similar look.
Hurrell's style changed over his career, but perhaps the biggest portion of it was with the Verito.
Sell your 150sf and get one of these. Not what you asked, but you can sell the Verito or ektar for what you bought them for if you take care of them and don't overpay.

[Peter De Smidt]

There are all sorts of filters/techniques (Softars....) for softening portraits. If you could give an example of what you're after, that would be helpful. In addition, what about your 150SF don't you like? Too soft?

[kmack]

Try a piece of panty hose stretched over the lens.

[Jim Noel]

Try a piece of panty hose stretched over the lens.

This may be the best answer you get. I can remember portrait photographers in the 40's and 50's who commonly used a piece of hose stretched tightly with a cigarette hole burned in the middle. This gave an underlying sharp image with nice soft flaring. Film is also important. During this period and before, orthochromatic film was much more prevalent than panchromatic. You might try Ilford Ortho. My personal preference is Kodak Ektascan B/RA X-Ray Film, which is a true orthochromatic film and can be handled under a red safelight.

[goamules]

Each technique gives a different look. The often repeated "smear Vaseline" technique (which I doubt was ever done by anyone with any sense) would probably give you a "smeared, blurry look."

A good soft focus lens has a sharp image, underlying some glow and unsharpness.

Obscuring the lens somewhat with gauze or paper with holes in it may give you a good affect. I haven't tried. I do know the Hollywood cinematographers used that technique sometimes, for movies.

[jnantz]

stradibarrius :

you might consider experimenting with the lenses you have. expose your film at different apertures
and change where you focus ... also try obstructing your lens' view ( like goamules suggests ) it works well.

[Jac@stafford.net]

The lens is the of least concern here. You won't get images like this by obfuscating good, sharp optics. (Veronica Lake by G. Hurrell)

Keep in mind that the look of Karsh & Hurrell's work was largely due not to the lens, but the lighting, chosen plane of focus, the film's color sensitivity, a lot of *makeup work for Hurrell's subjects in particular and for both photographers, expert on-negative retouching, and manipulative printing.

*(Read up on Pancake (Panchromatic Cake) makeup, and Ortho makeup if you can find it.)

[Christopher Nisperos]

Hurrell's look didn't rely so much on make-up as retouching. Therefore, I wouldn't exactly say, "a lot of" make up.

[stradibarrius]

Yes that was what I wanted to do was use the lenses I have. I have heard the panty hose trick..