Bokeh, as we learned, is derived from a Japanese word, boke, which means “blur” or “haze”. It basically refers to the out of focus area of your photo.
So now that we know what it is… how do we get it? It’s quite simple, actually!
To create pleasing bokeh, ensure that your background has some light sources. It could be Christmas lights, car headlights, or even dappled sunlight behind your subject, like this:
(Taken with Nikon D70 at F/4.2, 1/320 s., ISO 200)
Then, using a very large aperture (meaning the smallest number, like f/1.8 or f/4.5, depending on your lens), focus on something in the foreground of your composed photo. The short depth of field, created by your large aperture, will blur the background and create bokeh!
I told you it was easy!
Your December assignment:
Using this tutorial as a guide, create your own bokeh background. Experiment with different light sources and backgrounds. With Christmas around the corner, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of inspiration!
Deadline: December 31st, 2009
Please submit your photo(s), along with camera settings, using our submission form linked above, for a chance to be entered into our draw. A randomly chosen entry will be drawn after the deadline. Please click HERE to review the rules regarding this draw before submitting. Please note – submissions that do not abide by these rules will NOT be posted on the blog, or entered into the drawing.
Our December prize pack is this lovely seasonal kit by Kelly Panacci:
Thanks in advance for playing along this month – I’m looking forward to seeing your submissions! And stay tuned for more information about our contest to be posted early next week!
Happy Clicking!
Sue has been behind a camera for more than 25 years, working professionally as a photographer for the last ten years. While she began the hobby of scrapbooking in 2000, as a complement to her photographer career, it soon grew into a rival passion! Sue loves to enlarge one of her favourite photos and make it the focal point of her page, using her supplies to bring the focus onto her photography. She has, in recent years, turned more to scrapbooking "moments" rather than "events", choosing to leave her children more insight into her point of view of their lives.
I have used this technique many times but never heard the term bokeh before, interesting.
I usually achieve bokeh without trying. But it is good to know the how and why so I can try doing it on purpose. Thanks for a great tutorial!
so many tutorials and techniques … so little time!
Another great photo tip and one I use often because it is so easy to achieve. Thanks!
Great photos in this tutorial!!!!!! thanks for all the helpful hints, too.
Bokeh is one of my favourite things.I love to capture it in my photos especially at Christmas time.
But then Cosmo Cricket is also one of my favourite things.
Gotta love some bokeh!
Cool effect! I’m learning so much!
love it
this is great
Can’t wait to try this out!
Will try it!
This is a photo technique I have never tried…on purpose anyway. I need to look through some holiday photos to see if I’ve captured it inadvertantly and definatley give it a try in the future!
I didn’t know this had a name but since getting my new camera in April, a blurry background has been my goal and I’ve been able to achieve it with great results!
Wonderful photo!
Love this effect and have been successful at it lately!
I love this tip..thanks.
I was excited to even learn what Bokeh means! cool article!
I love bokeh and especially like it with christmas lights.
Never knew that that had a name.
Thanks for the info… I have achieved this previously but not know what I did. Now I can replicate it whenever I want.
Had no idea that it was called bokeh!
I have never heard of this term before. thanks for the information.
Very informative. Thanks
Love your photo! I’m going to have to give this a try! Thanks!
I can’t wait to try this one! I hadn’t heard it called this before…makes me think back to memories of my youth walking down a quiet street in a very small town where I grew up…my best friend and I would be walking home in the dark after a movie at “The Gaiety” and the snow would be falling gently, we both are near sighted, so we’d take off our glasses and the christmas lights on everyone’s houses would be these giant balls of coloured lights, absolutely breathtaking! …very much like bokeh!
Love this effect!
I TOTALLY Love this technique… it is something I always wanted to be able to do, and now I know HOW!! I’m bookmarking this one!
Hmmm I never knew that background light helped blur the picture for that effect. Thanks so much for the tip!!!
I wondered what bokeh was! Thanks for the great and simple explanation!
Love using Bokeh. Depth of Field is a great way to focus on a single object. Sometimes, it’s just a happy accident, however if you follow Sue’s tutorial you will come out with some interesting and spectacular images.
Sandra d.
fantastic thanks!
Great Tip
Great photo!!! Love this effect. Will have to try and figure out my camera.
I learned a new word today!! Love this technique
Well…I also didn’t know that effect had a specific name. Learn something new everyday!!
I use this technique by accident a lot!! LOL! Now I have a name for it and can practice doing it purposefully! Thank you!
this is one of my favourite techniques!
Neat term!! A great technique that I have been afraid to try
Aperture is so much fun and gives such fantastic photos.
I love this technique, I’ve also never heard it as the term bokeh!
I do this but never knew it had a term!! “Bokeh”…thanks!
This is my favorite effect on photos. I love it.
I love the look of portrait photos with a blurry background and then the people in really crisp focus…but I didn’t know that there was an actual term for it…now I know.
I never used this technique but I do so soon.
I could TOTALLY DO THAT! Thanks for an easy one!
Sue! You are a wealth of information!
I’ve never heard of bokeh but I use it a lot when taking portraits. I’m going to test my FIL on this one
Love learning new techniques! I played with this at Christmas with the lights on the tree – really fun!!
Bokeh worked great when I took a picture of my Christmas tree and some of the other lighted decorations that I have around the house!
Another great tutorial! I didn’t know it had a name!!!
Is that what they call it. Seems like I do this without intention regularly. Fun photo.
Had no idea where the word came trom. TFS!
had fun getting some great shots with some awesome Bokeh during this challenge
Got to try this in the near future
“Bokeh” I never new the technical term…now I do thanks
“bokeh” my new word for the day!
I’m going to take a weekend for all of these tips. I’m always grabbing the camera to ‘catch’ something, I haven’t planned a photo shoot in awhile.
enjoyed the review
i will have to revisit this one to retake this lesson
Now I know the correct word to use!
Oh I love blurry effect had no clue it was called Bokeh!
LOVE bokeh – until I ‘got into’ photography, I didn’t even know it had a name. Still haven’t really taken a good one yet with it though. still trying.
Loooooove Bokeh!!!! Thanks for the FAB tutorial!!!
I love this tip,great photos and love the effect.Will try this in the near furture.
OK, that seems too easy! Will be giving it a try. Thanks for the simple explaination.
Thanks for the great tips and information
I’ve used this technique before, but NOW I know what it’s actually called!!!
Every time I see it or read about it I wonder how do I SAY Bokeh? I want to say boken. But that’s not right. May not be able to say it but I sure love it
Tutorial on it!
I LOVE Bokeh!! I have been working hard to perfect it in my pictures…thanks for the tips!
Good information, thanks