Getting to Know Bokeh

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WildWinyan's avatar
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Hello fellow DA lovers. I am here today because I have noted a growing trend here on DA of people just plain not understanding what bokeh is. Many believe that it MUST be bubble like looking orbs in the background and nothing else. Which I am sorry to say it wrong.

There is a large vairty of bokeh that appears and does so in nature. In natural bokeh shots we often see a depth of field shot that has something in the background that adds to the image. Like the images below.

LL by estellamestella Glorious Blossoms by CozyComfyCouch
Natural bokeh by Pamba These precious moments by UgurDoyduk Magic Drops by Natany
Edge of Spring by JessicaM Flowers_18 by Marcello-Paoli
Lost in Colors.. by pacificdreams Head over Heels.. by pacificdreams
:thumb161901313::thumb159425279:



Bubble Bokeh as I like to call, seems to be the only bokeh people here on DA will give a nod to. Which is silly and shows a slight lack of know how. This is also the easiest kind of Bokeh to manufacture. Can you tell the difference?
Lady in Red. by WojciechDziadosz jungle dreams by dyingrose24
Tinkerbell by Last-Delight Special... by addy-ack
Fairy dust by EliseEnchanted ..::Limetastic::.. by Whimsical-Dreams
Magical Rain by Natany My Magic Shoes by WildWinyan
Forever in my soul by Healzo .: drop :. by Bromelia94
:thumb165792311: Lamp Genie by horatziu1977

So how can you tell when bokeh has been added or not? Well most real bokeh shots are showing you some kind of depth of field.
:thumb88905188:
Here the camera was in the portrait setting. The bokeh was caused by a tree in the background. (This is my niece!)

Logan's Profile by WildWinyan
Here dried leaves that the sun was hitting also served to make some really awesome bokeh! (This was my daughter Logan. She passes away almost a year ago)

Vintage Tea by WildWinyan
And this is an example of a bokeh texture being added to a shot I thought was too boring! Is it bad to manufacture bokeh? Heck no, its an artform as well. Just ask the stock providers who take the textures for you to play with! But like with all things, to rely on stock for this effect is a tad lazy. (and this is a tea cup mum gave me!)

Here are a few stock bokeh shots that I think are just awesome!
:thumb155375025::thumb161555989:
:thumb141515983::thumb160565509:

Another way to manufacture bokeh in shots is to have bubble wrap in the background. It's easy and it's not so much a cheat as it is a technique. So go out there and make the world a cheerful place!

© 2010 - 2024 WildWinyan
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CozycomfycouchStock's avatar
THANK YOU FROM MY HEART!!!