Dria Loc: Ohio

I think that is what it is called "Bokha" or blur/ out of focus.
My daughter loves being in front of the camera. and she like the way it looks when the subject (she) is in focus and the stuff behind her is soft.
So what is the best lens for this-- under $600.00
OR
is the a good way to do this in PS elements-- I have an older version--

thanks!

I have to say I love the input in this forum!

KG

Either 85mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4 would do the job nicely.
Primes are cheap (unless you get to f/1.2).

You could even get 50 f1/1.8, and you would still get decent bokeh (sp?). Those run for around $150 for major brands' bodies.

There are three variables you need to consider for blurriest bokeh: higher focal length, wider aperture, shorter to-subject distance.

In other words, you could (more-or-less) compensate for smaller aperture with higher focal length.

As for the quality of bokeh, that has more to do with aperture blades -- their shape and number. But unless you are planning on entering some sort of bokeh contest, I wouldn't worry about it.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

50mm F/1.8 $214 at B&H camera. This is for Nikon Cameras but it gives you an idea of an inexpensive way to get good "bokeh".

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=NIKON+AF+50mm+f%2F1.8&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

Dria Loc: Ohio

So I need practice :)
I guess I was on the right track looking at 50mm lenses!
I have the 50 f1.8 so now I need to make sure I put it at the lowest f# when shooting to get the desired effect.
Thanks!

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Exactly.

Example of my 50mm F/1.4:

Photo 1

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

what camera brand are you shooting? Sorry if I missed it. Canon's 50 1.8 is priced at $109 and the 85 1.8 is priced at around $400. You could pick up both for under $600 and have a nice starter set of lens.

gessman Loc: Colorado

A good way to ensure good bokeh is to move your subject away from what's behind her by several feet. Then, focus on the subject's eyes. The further your subject is from what's behind her will help determine the bokeh. There's something you need to watch for when opening a lens all the way up to f1.8. Depending on how close or far away you are from your subject, it is possible to have the face in sharp focus and the ears be out of focus. If that occurs, you will want to close your lens down a stop or two to f2.8 or further. You might even want to consider that many lens are sharpest at f8 than at any other setting. You should experiment with your lens and see where it is sharpest by putting it on a tripod and a shutter release to steady the camera so you can see which setting is sharpest for your lens. If you don't have a shutter release, set the timer for 10 seconds, get your hands off the camera to let it settle down before the shutter clicks.

One other thing you can do to help with the sharpness is lock your mirror up. Look up "mirror lockup" in your manual. If you move your aperture up to, say, f8, you'll need your subject to be even further away from the background to get good bokeh. You said you have the 50 f1.8. You can probably avoid buying an additional lens at first. You just need to experiment with your lens at different settings, moving your subject further and closer to the background and have a look at the bokeh to see if that's what you want or not. There is a depth of field calculator available in this forum. Go to "Home" and down in the lower left side you'll see a list of lessons or features. About half way down you'll see "Depth of Field Calculator." You can go there, put in your lens, put in your setting you want to use, and determine how much in front and behind your subject is going to be in clear focus. I just figured the dof for a Canon Rebel, 50 f1.8 shot at 3 ft. and it shows .32 of a foot is in clear focus which is about 4 inches. You can change all of the variables and determine what you'll get in the way of dof under different settings. Change the f-stop in the equation and note the change in the dof. in the right side box. Make a note of this then when you're out there taking pictures you can sort of step it off for a good feel for what kind of bokeh you're going to get depending on what lens setting you are interested in using in a given situation. Make notes and then learn from them.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

If this is directed to me please read my signature at the bottom left of the page .

Dria Loc: Ohio

Thank you for the info!

Gessman- very helpful! I wish I had asked these questions before my nephews wedding last Saturday I could have improved some of the pictures!
I experimented today--fun times

gessman Loc: Colorado

Dria, please pardon me if I was too elementary for you. In the absence of the ability for me to know where you are, I felt it was better to perhaps give you more than you needed than not enough. I'd rather you'd be mad at me for talking too much than for leaving you in the dark. As time passes and I get to read more of your posts, I'll have a better understanding how to share and exchange knowledge with you. :)

Dria Loc: Ohio

Gessman,
Although I have had the Canon Xsi since it came out and have been using a Canon slr since the 80's --
I have decided to shelf what I "know" and start over.
A couple of weeks ago my OLD sigma 28-300 bit the dust so I bought a new Tamron 28-300 VC ($600) I soon realized this lens is much different that my old sigma-- I got out my d-slr book and started reading-- found this forum and read some more. I am learning a lot and enjoying it very much.


So Gessman-- I don't/won't feel like I am being talked "down too" I just want to get better at this.
My daughter is going to take a digital photography class for her art elective in college and I am looking forward to her teaching me what she learns too.
My husband has a plaque that reads "The truly educated never graduate"

gessman Loc: Colorado

Cool. I'll know a little better how to "approach" next time. Thanks for bringing me up to speed. I've been dancing around the whole idea of photography for several years but I don't have the best memory in the cage hence, I forget a lot and can always use a reminder. I vehemently resisted education earlier but as I've advanced in age, I find that I like what your husband's plaque says. I try to learn something new each day and have found that if I fail to do that on my own, my lil' wife of 54 years is all too willing, indeed eager, to teach me a thing or two before I get ready to turn in for the night. Happy shooting.

KathyinNH Loc: Kingston, NH

Beautiful Bob.

Leopold Lysloff

Great exchange of information about bokeh results.
This is one of the magic's of photography and proper use of it to create that special picture or look.
Bokeh results in well planned pictures can make for dreamy looks and artistic backgrounds that lends so much credit to good photography.
It has been established that a wider open lens reduces the depth of field and blurs the background that will become that bokeh. It also helps to visualize what is behind your subject so the color and light effects can be somewhat planned.

walbrookem Loc: Michigan

Gessman I like it when people answer questions in detail because I am also just learning and that response about bokeh was really helpful and I am going out and try what you wrote. I have a Caonon 50mm 1:1.4 and havent used it much but if rain every stops I am anxious to go out and shoot some bokeh pictures thanks