bokeh?

[g-fi]

I don't know why people are so obsessed with bokeh, getting an intersting in focus shot with good composition is more important

It's like any other method or style ppl apply to their photographs, might as well ask why anyone is obsessed with high key, low key, b&w, etc. I love it because when you're doing portraiture, an excellent bokeh in the background can really help focus on the subject of your photo. I love it when ppl manipulate the bokeh (like Schwetty's example of heart shaped bokeh) to give a photo even more interest. It's certainly not the be all/end all of photography, and maybe it's not even that big of a deal if you aren't a portrait photographer, but there's no reason that you can't have great bokeh AND an in focus, well composed shot.

 

[halestorm]

I don't know why people are so obsessed with bokeh, getting an intersting in focus shot with good composition is more important

It's like any other method or style ppl apply to their photographs, might as well ask why anyone is obsessed with high key, low key, b&w, etc. I love it because when you're doing portraiture, an excellent bokeh in the background can really help focus on the subject of your photo. I love it when ppl manipulate the bokeh (like Schwetty's example of heart shaped bokeh) to give a photo even more interest. It's certainly not the be all/end all of photography, and maybe it's not even that big of a deal if you aren't a portrait photographer, but there's no reason that you can't have great bokeh AND an in focus, well composed shot.

I agree it definitely enhances a nice portrait and is an interesting technique appreciated by lots of people.

 

[gsgary]

... Clearly, you don't understand what bokeh MEANS ...

Without meaning to be rude, I'm not entirely sure that you have a clear understanding of the word as it applies to photography either g-fi. "Bokeh" in photographic terms (leaving aside literal interpretations and/or translations from Japanese) simply refers to the way the out of focus elements in an image are rendered. There are many different names for types of Bokeh, especially those that are considered pleasing to the eye, but all photographs have some form of Bokeh, whether it's considered attractive or not.

Alright, I'll take my lumps like a big girl. I can accept that the out of focus areas of any photograph can be called bokeh, however, I think that 98% of photographers when referencing "bokeh" are referring to what I was referring to, the circular (or heart shaped, or whatever ;-)) patterns created by shooting wide open at a large aperture. And if you're submitting a photo for C&C on the bokeh you captured, I assume that you are aiming for an attractive representation. I don't know, I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. But it's apples and oranges here, since I'm not referring to the technical definition of bokeh, but the commonly accepted application of that term.

Bottom line, if OP submitted his photo and said, "Look at this bokeh", we'd all be, uh, ok and? I appreciate the clarification on the definition of the word, but I stand by what I was trying to explain. There's no point in trying to capture unattractive bokeh.

If thats what you want just shoot towards the sun as it goes down with a nice lens (200mmF2.8L)

Or you can have creamy background (300mmF2.8L)

 

[The_Traveler]

I think that the very pleasing way that certain very sharp lenses like the Nikon 85 1.4 handle the background adds to their mystique. While this may not meet the most exacting definition of 'bokeh', I think that lenses that produce pleasing creamy backgrounds also handle OOF highlights well.

A good reason to buy the 85 1.4 Nikkor for portraits, also known as the 'Cream Machine' for the quality of the background.


OTOH, this site has a good example of a truly ugly OOF area -one that detracts from the in-focus parts.

 

[jake337]

I think that the very pleasing way that certain very sharp lenses like the Nikon 85 1.4 handle the background adds to their mystique. While this may not meet the most exacting definition of 'bokeh', I think that lenses that produce pleasing creamy backgrounds also handle OOF highlights well.

A good reason to buy the 85 1.4 Nikkor for portraits, also known as the 'Cream Machine' for the quality of the background.


OTOH, this site has a good example of a truly ugly OOF area -one that detracts from the in-focus parts.

My 85mm f1.4 is by far my favorite lens! I can't wait to use it on a FF camera.