RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Thank you for confirming my perception of bokeh. An environmental portrait, of course, is an entirely different matter, and most do demand good bokeh.
(I'm sure that if I had hung out a photo studio shingle 50 years ago, I'd be writing this on a pauper's home computer).

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Sharpshooter mentioned that when a client is involved, you have to shoot what they want. With commercial work and some celebrity-type work, that can be possible, but for the normal portrait client, they get what I like. They came to me for my style and that is what they get. I believe that to be true of any photographer who does portraits as a specialty.

Just FYI - bokeh does not mean "out of focus" - the word refers to the QUALITY of the out of focus area. If the background is out of focus, saying "I got bokeh" would be a meaningless statement. Kinda like thinking "steep learning curve" means difficult. :-)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Captain, I agree with you 100%.
My style is very different and tends to have a lot of edge. People usually like what I do or they don't. And almost all are looking to be posed. And some do want you to take crative license, but to many just can't do it.
But I will say, the very few situations where an art director has been involved(some commercial work), the director gets exactly what they want. If they change their minds, you simply start over, it's their dime.

Captain, I wish I could take credit, of that for which you accuse me, but it belongs to someone else!! :lol:
SS

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Oh, I'm sorry! At least WE agree!

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I much appreciate all who have commented and educated me on bokeh. When out-of-focus is desired, or cannot be avoided, the importance of a lens with good bokeh cannot be overstated. People like you make this site what it is. Hopefully, my ignorance has benefitted others.
Thinking back, I do recall one gentleman who left with a fuzzy ear. But he had it when he came in.