This tip is about taking pictures at open apertures. Not every photographer can achieve good bokeh! How to get beautifully blurred backgrounds is told by the experts Rostislav Mashin and Ela Draw.
Rostislav Mashin āGolden Stringsā
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G VR
Aperture: f/8
Shutter speed: 1/200
ISO: 200
PRO TIPS
Aperture. Find the best aperture value. The more the aperture is open, the more the background is blurred, creating an effect called ābokeh. But when you take pictures of miniature objects you shouldnāt open the aperture as much as possible, especially if your āmodelā is moving: with a great probability it will fall out of the sharpness area completely. Take ātest shotsā to find the optimal aperture value that makes the main subject sharp and the background sufficiently blurred.
Rostislav Mashin āDreamerā
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G VR
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter speed: 1/160
ISO: 200
Focal length. It doesnāt always make sense to open the diaphragm as much as possible for macro photography, you can get a nice blur with a macro lens if the subject is close to you and the background is far away. The closer the subject is and the farther away the background objects, the stronger the blur.
Elia Draw
Camera: Nikon D5100
Aperture: f/1.8
Shutter speed: 1/3200
ISO: 100
Light. Often good bokeh can be obtained in soft back light, sunset or sunrise. You can try taking pictures of subjects in front of a window, spraying water on the glass with a spraygun. At sunset, the sunās rays create the light that makes the bokeh come out bright and juicy.
Elia Draw
Camera: Nikon D5100
Aperture: f/1.8
Shutter speed: 1/1250
ISO: 200
The background. Try to choose a less homogeneous background, in nature foliage helps, in the city ā shining objects, lanterns. The closer you are to your subject and the farther away the subject is from the background, the more blur you will end up with.
NIKON TIPS
What you need to know about exposure?
Advice. Shoot in spot focus mode when the aperture is open.
Idea. To take scenery pictures use a shutter aperture of F/8 to keep the entire area in sharpness. Take portrait pictures at an open aperture of f/1.4-3.5 to blur the background and create bokeh.
The aperture is a device in the lens which adjusts the size of a circle by changing the amount of light passing through it. Aperture values: 1.2 | 1.4 | 2 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 4 | 5.6 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 22
Could you please provide some tips on how to achieve the perfect bokeh effect in photography? Iām fascinated by the way it can make my subject pop and create a dreamy atmosphere. What are the best settings to use and any techniques to ensure that the bokeh is aesthetically pleasing? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
To achieve the perfect bokeh effect in photography, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. Firstly, choose a lens with a wide maximum aperture (low f-number) as this creates a shallow depth of field, enhancing the bokeh. A prime lens is ideal for this purpose. Secondly, focus on your subject while ensuring there is a good distance between it and the background. This creates separation, enabling the bokeh effect to stand out. Experiment with different angles and distances to find an aesthetically pleasing composition. The quality of bokeh can be influenced by the shape of the lens aperture, so using lenses with more circular diaphragms can result in smoother bokeh. Additionally, consider the distance between your subject and the camera. The closer the subject, the stronger the bokeh effect. Lastly, pay attention to the background. Lights, such as street lamps or fairy lights, can create beautiful bokeh. Play around with different settings, adjust your aperture and focal length to achieve the desired dreamy atmosphere. Remember to practice and experiment to find your own unique style of bokeh photography. Enjoy capturing those mesmerizing moments!
What are some tips and techniques for achieving that beautiful, dreamy bokeh effect in photography?
What are some key tips or techniques for achieving the perfect bokeh effect in photography? How can I create a soft and dreamy background with beautifully blurred lights? Any specific lens recommendations or camera settings that would help enhance the bokeh?