mgstrawn Loc: Atlanta, GA

Welcome to the Mid-Week Challenge, 'Let's Study Bokeh.' I would like to preface this introduction by saying that in no way am I attempting to teach this subject!! My hope is that our more experienced amateurs and professional UHH folks will jump in and share their knowledge with us during this challenge.

About 3 years ago, I was first introduced to the term - Bokeh - by my Great Nephew, who was minoring in Photography in college. After I posted a photo on Facebook, he commented to ask what kind of lens I had used in the photo. I was using my kit lens, a Nikkor 50-200mm Zoom lens, and as he is an experienced Nikon owner, he explained that this particular lens had a reputation for naturally producing beautiful Bokeh. I had to look it up to see what he meant!

I bought a set of Ebooks by a professional Photographer named Christopher O'Donnell. The first paragraph of his book, "The Art of Bokeh," speaks volumes:

"Bokeh is more than just having a blurred background or foreground - it is the quality of the blur. What constitutes “good” or “bad” bokeh is generally subjective, but there is a common understanding that a photo with strong bokeh is one with many variations in shapes, colors, and textures in the out of focus parts - and most importantly, that the bokeh enhances the photo, not distracts from it."

For those of you new to the term, I chose the following link to explain Bokeh:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh

In our last few challenges, I have noticed many wonderful examples of beautiful Bokeh in your photos. I want to divide this challenge into 3 parts. Today's request (Wednesday) is to identify and post examples of Bokeh in your recent photos. And, of course, any photos of new attempts are welcome as well. We will focus Thursday on the different settings and techniques to achieve pleasing Bokeh.

My opening examples are quite inferior to many of yours. I hope to improve during this challenge. I look forward to the next three days!

As we will discuss, light is very important for Bokeh. This photo was taken on an overcast day, so the blur is flat. The gray blur is parking lot..


This Lilly was among others with a background of green grass. It was late evening - post sunset. The blur again is 'flat,' but I like it.


Taken in bright sunshine against a background of trees. The light shining through the trees produces a more pleasing and interesting Bokeh.


Another type of Bokeh is where the background is blurred, but identifiable.


The blur is affected by the wind in this photo.


This photo shows how Bokeh is enhanced by light through the trees. This was shot in haste from the front passenger seat out of the Driver's window of our car. I would love to have composed the photo without the distracting bright spot in the upper left hand corner


Bokeh in a landscape photo. The buildings in the background are slightly identifiable.






VBS 2013


VBS 2013

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

Here some Bokeh from a few of my recent photos

This one is a planned bokeh shot wanted the trees in the background as the bokeh


This one shows the shape of the blade s in the lens not real pleasing to me


this one used bokeh to break up the brick wall behind the flower

mgstrawn Loc: Atlanta, GA

Hangman, perfect examples ~ just beautiful! (pg. 1)

Sendai5355 Loc: On the banks of the Pedernales River, Texas

A few from this week.

Inca Dove

mgstrawn Loc: Atlanta, GA

I am in awe! Thanks, Jfrank! (pg. 1)

cricket2 Loc: Virginia

Great start Gracie - love your photos - mom is getting married this weekend and I will be having a guest from tomorrow night til next Tuesday and I won't be on until Wednesday so have a great challenge. If I have time I will sneak on tomorrow but I have a lot to do to get ready.

cricket2 Loc: Virginia

hangman and jfrank - great job, you all have that down pretty good!

mgstrawn Loc: Atlanta, GA

We will miss you but I understand! I have had so much going on myself that my head is spinning. Please try to sneak on if you can! Lol!

cricket2 Loc: Virginia

I have only been home for a week after being gone two months and have barely gotten caught up from being gone....

cricket2 Loc: Virginia

this grasshopper was huge

on a palm frond

mgstrawn Loc: Atlanta, GA

I love these shots! Glad you 'snuck' them in! (pg. 1)

cricket2 Loc: Virginia

thank you - good night Gracie

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

Here is one of mine.

Pappy

SheenaghGebhard Loc: Cornwall - UK

Beautiful start Gracie - and a challenge that I've been trying to capture over the last couple of months! Like you say there is no right or wrong bokeh just an individual choice as to whether you prefer a busier background or serene water colour effect - the aim of course is simply that the defocused area enhances the overall image :-) In my very humble opinion some interesting affects can be gained from setting your camera to aperture setting, with the lowest fstop (ie widest) and fastest shutter speed (depending on your light) that you can achieve. Sometimes nature provides the perfect depth between your subject and the background, but sometimes you can enhance that by putting more space between the two. Without teaching anyone how to suck eggs.......you want to have the shallowest depth of field that you can. Hope that helps and you enjoy my little contribution :-)

Smooth dreamy bokeh effect


Busier bokeh


Sadie in the buttercups


Mr. Bumble Bee and bokeh


Garden flowers


Texture and bokeh


I found the "monotone" mode last night!

laskalass Loc: Land of the Midnight Sun

Really appreciate your fine examples...very interesting and good explanations!...I love using bokeh...yours are really nice...