If you’ve been around the photography community long, you know that photographers love bokeh. Bokeh comes from a Japanese word that means “haze” or “blur.’ The most common type of photography you will see bokeh is in portraits, but all kinds of photographers can utilize it to add depth to their scene. Not only does this add depth, but it also helps your subject to pop since the background is blurry. Many photographers struggle to create bokeh naturally in their image, but it is actually quite easy to create if you know a few simple tips and tricks.
Make sure you have the right lens
Having the correct lens makes a huge difference in the amount of bokeh you can create. The faster your lens, the more bokeh you can create. When I say “fast” I am referring to the aperture of the lens. In other words, the wider the aperture can go (the lower the number), the more bokeh you can create. I recommend a lens that can get down to at least f/2.8, but f/1.4 or f/1.8 is even better. If you want to test the difference that aperture makes, take a photo of something at f/22, then take the same photo at f/2.8 and see the difference!
Focal length of the lens also creates more extreme bokeh. The longer the focal length, the more you can create. For portraits, some of the best focal lengths are between 50-85mm.
Choose the right composition
Capturing bokeh effectively is all about the right composition. It is captured best when you have a large distance between your subject, and whatever you want to “bokeh.” There are two ways most photographers do this. The first is by having your subject be in the foreground, and having something interesting behind the subject. This will blur the background and make the subject stand out. The second way is to have your subject be the background and have an item in the foreground very close to the lens, which will be blurred out.
Tell a story with your bokeh
Bokeh can look amazing and add depth to your photo, but the best photographers know how to use it to tell a story and improve their image. What can you use to tell a story? Maybe this is the glow of a campfire or blurry city lights in the background. The best photographers choose what they will bokeh in their scene wisely. Even though it is often times too blurry to make out, you will still be able to see color, depending on the things to choose.
Want more bokeh? Get closer to your subject
Getting closer to your subject (and further from the background) helps create more bokeh in the scene. If you find that your photos don’t quite have enough, simply move closer to the subject. If you are photographing a fixed subject, think about getting a different angle or even adding something in front of your camera to blur the foreground. To effectively capture bokeh, you have to think outside the box.
Shoot at the right time of day
Golden hour will provide the best kind of light for photos with beautiful bokeh. This is the time right before sunset and right after sunrise when the sun is low in the sky. The light it casts on your scene is very soft, and can create some incredible blur. One of the easiest techniques is to shoot straight into the sun with your subject in the foreground. This creates beautiful, glowing bokeh around the subject.
Many photographers think that capturing bokeh is an advanced technique achievable by only professional photographers. Although, it is actually quite easy. No matter your experience or skill level, learning how to utilize bokeh is sure to make you a better photographer!
