Lightening up those candids, and softening them too.

[redlights]

This is my first post and I've yet to learn the rules of this forum, but I'm interested in lightening (brightening, I guess) my photos, and also softening them.

The picture style I'm referring to can be found on a lot of the satorialist's blog (if you read that one) or the Cherryblossomgirl.com blog...the shots are given softness no matter what situation they are in, but also crisp and clean.

I love that sort of photography - really light, airy, sort of muted and soft, and would love to learn how to do it.

I'm guessing they probably have the best cameras ever - I'm working with a cannon rebel T2i, and have the stock lens. I'm more than willing to buy a filter or whatever else if need be...I've been able to brighten the pictures up using the camera settings, but it's a harsher, sharper light usually and I'm wondering what I'm missing.

Please berate me if I'm in the wrong place

[Frog]

Welcome and you are in the right place,(forum).
I haven't looked yet but suspect you might be talking about the (insert blank mind here) effect.
Your camera is just fine.

[gryphonslair99]

What you are describing is bokeh. It is accomplished by controlling your Depth of Field. Here is a good tutorial on DOF. The whole series is an excellent resource.

[Medley]

The name that Frog was trying to recall was the Orton effect. You can google it to determine how it's done.

[Frog]

The name that Frog was trying to recall was the Orton effect. You can google it to determine how it's done.

That's it! Thanks Medley!

[Anbesol]

To get that smooth blurry background, it is best done with wider apertures. Nothing to do with camera body, everything to do with a lens, and can be done for as little as $100 with the Canon 50mm f/1.8 (probably the most recommended lens on this site). The "perfect" portrait lens is the 85mm f/1.4, but those are a good 13 times more expensive, and a little harder focal range for casual and candid portraits (on the T2i's crop).

The best way I think, to brightening up the colors and tones in an image is through what is called "curves", it is a tool used in photoshop (and other photo editting programs). Its a lot more effective than filters and simple brightness adjustments. I think its the most important photo editing tool also..