{"id":69515,"date":"2016-02-01T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2016-02-01T14:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=69515"},"modified":"2022-04-01T10:15:24","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T15:15:24","slug":"how-to-create-a-soft-hazy-look-without-a-fog-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-soft-hazy-look-without-a-fog-machine\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a Soft Hazy Look Without a Fog Machine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fog machines and hazers continue to be some of the most widely used tricks of the trade on film sets of all shapes and sizes, but they certainly aren\u2019t the only way to give your footage a soft hazy\u00a0look.<\/h2>\n

Top image from\u00a0Tiffen Filter Tests<\/a> by Shane Hurlbut, ASC<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

One of the greatest challenges in digital cinematography today is offsetting the extreme sharpness that most modern digital sensors capture. For years, DPs have used hazers to create immersive and dream-like atmospheres<\/strong>, and in today\u2019s digital landscape this technique is more useful than ever. A small, almost unnoticeable amount of fog or haze can go a very long way in \u201ctaking the edge off\u201d of your overly sharp digital footage. But in some cases, it just isn\u2019t practical or possible to use a proper hazer, and other solutions should be considered.<\/p>\n

There are countless reasons why you might not be able to use a hazer \u2014lack of budget, location regulations, power issues, etc. Thankfully though, there are many alternatives to traditional hazers<\/strong> that can ultimately serve the same purpose.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that not all of the suggestions below are going to give you the same look that a real hazer would give you, but they are capable of solving one of the same problems: overly sharp footage<\/strong>. So next time you need to shoot something and are unable to pull together a proper haze system, consider these alternatives.<\/p>\n

1. Diffusion in a Can<\/h3>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Products like Fantasy FX canned fog<\/a>\u00a0are excellent alternatives to hazers, especially when you don\u2019t have access to a power supply. For instance, you may want to add a bit of haze to a shot inside a small cabin<\/strong> to create some atmosphere, but don\u2019t have access to a generator or power at your location. Diffusion in a can allows you to spray the room with a high-quality haze that can last for up to two hours. As you might imagine, this option isn\u2019t going to be as powerful as a haze machine, but for small spaces and highly controlled environments, it\u2019s an excellent solution.<\/p>\n

2. Stockings on the Lens<\/h3>\n

\"HowImage from Hurlbut Visuals<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This is the oldest trick in the book, but still one that\u2019s employed on sets of all kinds \u2014 from student films to Hollywood features. The idea is simple: Stretch a stocking across your lens<\/strong> to soften the image dramatically, creating a hazy glow within your images.<\/p>\n

As I mentioned above, techniques such as this one won\u2019t emulate the look of a hazer, but will instead provide an alternate aesthetic if you want to soften your image. One of the nice things about using a stocking on your lens<\/strong> is that you can ensure consistent results, without a whole lot of effort. In this article Diffusion for the Digital Age \u2013 Using Stockings<\/a>, we learn more about<\/em> Shane Hurlbut’s<\/a> technique and how to achieve the effect. This video shows what you can expect the results to look like:<\/p>\n