How to Get that Bokeh Effect During the Holidays [Photography 101]

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]What is bokeh?![/fusion_title][fusion_text]

Bokeh comes from the Japanese word boke (ボケ), which means “blur” or “haze”, or boke-aji, the “blur quality.” Bokeh is pronounced BOH-Kə or BOH-kay.

Most often during the holidays you see lots of Christmas lights in bokeh. Last year, my sister and I experimented with this concept. See the blur of the lights? That’s what we’re going for here!

10848818_10154973359280072_5160677999375192966_o[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#81d742″ border_size=”” icon=”fa-camera” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#1e73be” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]First, you need the right equipment.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]For this tutorial, you’ll need a couple items to start with.

You will need:

  • DSLR Camera
  • A lens with fast aperture with at least f/2.8, with f/2, f/1.8, or f.1.4 being preferable
  • A subject
  • If you’d like to do a shape for the blurred lights (such as a heart or star):
    • Black construction paper
    • Scissors
  • Patience!

Bokeh Hearts[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#81d742″ border_size=”” icon=”fa-camera” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#1e73be” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Let’s get your bokeh on![/fusion_title][fusion_text]

  1. First, set your camera to Aperture priority.
  2. Use a low f-stop number such as f1.8, f1.4, or f2.8.
  3. Adjust the shutter speed so it’s fast– something like 1/50 second or faster should work. The slower the shutter speed the more blurry everything will be instead of the look of individual lights like in the above photos.
  4. If you find yourself in a low light setting, and the photo is too dark– adjust the ISO to a higher number. Remember, the higher ISO, the more grain will be in the photo.
  5. Next, move the subject (if you’re using one) close, and the background further away. If you are not using a subject, you’ll need to manually focus the lens. Sometimes it helps if you manually focus on a subject first, and then move the subject out of the shot.

IMG_6411_1

Bokeh Flowers

Now practice and change settings until you love your photo! Happy photography![/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]


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