Shutterbug Sunday - Bokeh Bliss

day 240 by april

These two beautiful photographs by April Newman of April Newman Photography demonstrate the photography technique called bokeh...the splendid purposely out-of-focus light, colors, and shapes that you find in the background of many digital photographs.  Based on the definition from Dictionary.com, Bokeh, pronounced bow-kay or bow-keh, is a Japanese term for the subjective aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas of a photographic image. But for me, it is best defined as PURE MAGIC!

The goal of this technique is to create a blurred background that is compelling without distracting the viewer’s attention from the main subject of the photo.  This is especially important in portraits.

day 196 {explore} by april

Tips for getting good bokeh...
1.) Set your DSLR camera to manual or aperture priority and use a low f-stop number like f1.4, f1.8 or f2.8 for a large aperture. If more light is required increase your ISO level instead of switching to a higher f-stop.

2.) To achieve the formation of circles instead of a general blurring, use a shutter speed faster than 1/50 second.

3.) Get in close to your subject, while keeping the background outside the focus area.  If you are trying to create the bokeh effect with only night lights, remember to switch your camera to manual focus.

4.) Consider your background lighting.  Avoid backgrounds that are evenly lit since they will create a bland blurring. Seek out spots of light such as street lights, reflections, or unevenly lit textured surfaces.
I have included a mcLinky so you can show us some of your own magical bokeh.
 
Until next week. ♥ Tammy Lee of Bliss and Folly

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