Every professional photographer wants to get the bokeh right.
The bokeh effect is the aesthetic quality of the out of focus area in a photograph. This includes the highlights that reveal a lens’ aperture shape. The result is bright circles rendered in the background. It does not refer to the blur that came from movement of the subject or camera. The word ‘Bokeh’ comes from the Japanese word that translates to ‘Blur’ or ‘Haze’.
Unlike lens aperture, bokeh does not have a particular measurement. Bokeh is not a quantitative concept. It is the quality of the blur that matters, and not the amount of blur. Lenses come with many design characteristics that have an effect on the blur. Bokeh is usually a feature of the picture and not always a feature of a lens. So we can say that the lens is not the only thing that has a major role in creating a bokeh.
Here’s how to get a beautiful bokeh effect in your next photography assignment:
INCREASE THE APERTURE
- In fact make it the largest possible, depending on the lens you are using. This will result in decreasing the depth of field. It will isolate the focus on a narrow part of the subject. Everything surrounding this particular focal point will blur. Then you have a beautiful bokeh.
EXPERIMENT WITH CUT OUTS
- Cutouts mask the shape of the aperture. This only affects out-of-focus highlights in the photograph. This will allow the out-of-focus elements to pass through more of the outer regions of the lens. The aperture or bokeh hood can have an impact on their shape.
FASTER LENS SPEED
- Maximizing the aperture will mean a faster lens speed. This means you can let in more light and decrease the depth of field. You are sure to get a very eye pleasing, out of focus area in your picture.
GET THE ZOOM LENS TO WORK
- Use the zoom lens to your advantage even though it is not a photographer’s favorite. You can blame it on the poor quality of the image as compared to those taken with a prime lens. Use the zoom lens to focus on a subject, and zoom in, to help separate it from the rest of the scene. This gives you a great effect.
GET CLOSER
- Move in closer to your subject and focus on what you want to have sharp in the picture. Pick the perfect angle. Keep the subject far away from the background that you intend blurring out. You are sure to get a smooth wash of color on the background.
