Need some help with Bokeh

Alexandria. · Jan 2, 2013

Hey, so I just started messing around with my Nikon D3100, and I pretty much have the gist of taking bokeh photographs, nothing compared to some that I've seen, but decent enough for me to show off to family and friends haha.. Anyways the only lens I have is the one it came with, the Nikkor 18-55mm.. I bet it isn't the best one to use for that, but right now I don't have the funds to purchase anything better.. So I have a few questions:

How do I take bokeh shots where there is an object in focus, let's say where I can see the nutcracker clearly, but the background is the Christmas tree lights in the Bokeh effect..?

Also, I've seen some bokeh photos where it seems they are taken in daylight, while I can only figure it out in darker settings..

Any tips and help on this subject would be greatly appreciated !!

Thanks in advance

jake337 · Jan 2, 2013

Bokeh is a term used to describe the quality of the Out Of Focus(OOF) highlights in an image. It is not adjustable. You want to start reading up on Depth of Field(DoF).

You could have done exactly what you are asking in the image you posted. Focus on a close object with the lights far enough away in the background to give you the effect you are after. Having additional lighting, like flash, helps as well.

It is easier with longer focal lengths(Bigger MM number) + wider apertures(Smaller F number)

This was shot with an 85mm F1.4 @ F2 with a sb600 triggered off camera. The flash was aimed camera left off the wall/ceiling.

table1349 · Jan 2, 2013

Start here: Understanding Depth of Field in Photography

Read the rest. A good set of tutorials. Digital Photography Tutorials

Light Guru · Jan 2, 2013

Alexandria. said:
View attachment 30912Hey, so I just started messing around with my Nikon D3100, and I pretty much have the gist of taking bokeh photographs, nothing compared to some that I've seen, but decent enough for me to show off to family and friends haha.. Anyways the only lens I have is the one it came with, the Nikkor 18-55mm.. I bet it isn't the best one to use for that, but right now I don't have the funds to purchase anything better.. So I have a few questions:

How do I take bokeh shots where there is an object in focus, let's say where I can see the nutcracker clearly, but the background is the Christmas tree lights in the Bokeh effect..?

Also, I've seen some bokeh photos where it seems they are taken in daylight, while I can only figure it out in darker settings..

Any tips and help on this subject would be greatly appreciated !!

Thanks in advance

You just started "messing around" with a new camera. Before jumping right into getting bokeh lest start by understanding exposure This will actually not only answer your question but do you much more good.

Here is a great article so start you off.
http://www.exposureguide.com/exposure.htm

Alexandria. · Jan 2, 2013

Haha well I now feel like I asked quite a stupid question ! I guess I'm just too excited to try new techniques before actually learning how they work..

Btw thanks Jake337 ! That website is great ! I guess for now I'll work on learning the basics..

joshua_ · Jan 3, 2013

Alexandria. said:
Haha well I now feel like I asked quite a stupid question ! I guess I'm just too excited to try new techniques before actually learning how they work..

Btw thanks Jake337 ! That website is great ! I guess for now I'll work on learning the basics..

I don't think your question was stupid, we have to start somewhere. I'm very new at this too. I think there is a lot of good info here and on other sites for free to read up. If you have a chance you may get a book or two. I've read some now and the one that helped me the most stating out was:

Amazon.com: Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera (9780817439392): Bryan Peterson: Books

MiFleur · Jan 3, 2013

Alexandria. said:
Haha well I now feel like I asked quite a stupid question ! I guess I'm just too excited to try new techniques before actually learning how they work..

Btw thanks Jake337 ! That website is great ! I guess for now I'll work on learning the basics..

Asking a question is a sign of intelligence it shows that you have motivation and it is what is needed to take great shots.

I love to try new techniques and they have led me to learn the basics, no matter where you start, you will come around focus, aperture and shutter speed.

Doyle33 · Jan 29, 2013

It is surely the focal length that is affecting the bokeh, not the focal distance.
I'm impressed by the noise free images at ISO800, and the great shots of course.

Patriot · Jan 30, 2013

Alexandria. said:
<img src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=30912"/>Hey, so I just started messing around with my Nikon D3100, and I pretty much have the gist of taking bokeh photographs, nothing compared to some that I've seen, but decent enough for me to show off to family and friends haha.. Anyways the only lens I have is the one it came with, the Nikkor 18-55mm.. I bet it isn't the best one to use for that, but right now I don't have the funds to purchase anything better.. So I have a few questions:

How do I take bokeh shots where there is an object in focus, let's say where I can see the nutcracker clearly, but the background is the Christmas tree lights in the Bokeh effect..?

Also, I've seen some bokeh photos where it seems they are taken in daylight, while I can only figure it out in darker settings..

Any tips and help on this subject would be greatly appreciated !!

Thanks in advance

It is possible to get bokeh you want with that lens. Shot at longest end or in your case 55mm. Put distance between your subject and the background. Make sure the background isn't messy. Next put as much distance between you and your subject, but frame it as you see fit.

enzodm · Jan 30, 2013

Just one note: "bokeh" does not mean light circles in the background. You obtain them by having out-of-focus bright spots, but this is not "bokeh photography", except in beginners threads

. As already told by Jake, bokeh is the quality of out of focus areas -typically the smoother the better. Here you find some test with analysis (just to have an idea of issues, but better to concentrate to basics).

katerolla · Jan 30, 2013

Patriot · Jan 30, 2013

Michael79 · Jan 30, 2013

katerolla said:

Great suggestion, This guy has a lot of information and videos. Its not that I don't enjoy reading all the time, I just learn better from being walked through.