bokeh?

[halestorm]

So I guess I thought bokeh just meant shallow depth of field but I've been informed that the blur must be pleasing to the eye or interesting texturally so heres another shot I hope fits that description.

 

[g-fi]

What were your settings in this picture? Are you shooting wide open?

 

[g-fi]

Wait, aren't you the one who is the photographer's son? How do you not understand bokeh?


Edited to add: Here, go visit this link. See what all the photos have in common. THAT is bokeh.

http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/40-beautiful-examples-of-bokeh-photography/

 

[halestorm]

Wait, aren't you the one who is the photographer's son? How do you not understand bokeh?

I actually do understand bokeh. Bokeh is just the japanese word for blur. I am just trying to develop a better understanding of what makes for an appealing bokeh.

Also picture was shot at 55mm F4.5 if thats waht you are asking.

So do you like this shot?

 

[g-fi]

It's alright, but if you want to see the true capabilities of your lens when it comes to bokeh, shoot wide open. Clearly, you don't understand what bokeh MEANS because you don't really have any good examples of it in either of the photos that you've posted referencing bokeh. You're looking for round out of focus areas of high contrast, such as light sources or objects. If you view the link I posted, there are some FANTASTIC bokeh photos in there and examples of how to use bokeh to enhance or create a composition. Bokeh is not just "blur". You need to get down below 4.5 in order to maximize what kind of bokeh your lens can create. Also, the cheap kit lenses really don't have the most flattering bokeh, so if that's what you're using to try and capture it, you're really going to have to work at it.

I'm still trying to figure out what you gained by shooting that picture in portrait orientation.

Edited to add: understanding the definition of the japanese word bokeh != understanding what bokeh is. Clearly.

 

[halestorm]

It's alright, but if you want to see the true capabilities of your lens when it comes to bokeh, shoot wide open. Clearly, you don't understand what bokeh MEANS because you don't really have any good examples of it in either of the photos that you've posted referencing bokeh. You're looking for round out of focus areas of high contrast, such as light sources or objects. If you view the link I posted, there are some FANTASTIC bokeh photos in there and examples of how to use bokeh to enhance or create a composition. Bokeh is not just "blur". You need to get down below 4.5 in order to maximize what kind of bokeh your lens can create. Also, the cheap kit lenses really don't have the most flattering bokeh, so if that's what you're using to try and capture it, you're really going to have to work at it.

I'm still trying to figure out what you gained by shooting that picture in portrait orientation.

Edited to add: understanding the definition of the japanese word bokeh != understanding what bokeh is. Clearly.

Yeah unfortunately I dont have any faster lenses right now I cant get below F4.5 with the lens I have so the best I can hope for is to zoom all the way in and get close to the subject. I do know what you mean with the whole round out of focus thing I just cant achieve that with this lens I think.

 

[g-fi]

50mm 1.8. It's cheap. It will do the trick. Borrow your dad's.

 

[halestorm]

50mm 1.8. It's cheap. It will do the trick. Borrow your dad's.

yeah I was looking at one of those $100 is cheap for that lens but I just don't have the money yet

p.s. My dad lives in another state so borrowing one of his lenses is out of the question...or were you being sarcastic?

 

[Robin Usagani]

My bokeh looks like this

 

[g-fi]

That's Schwetty, poppin' bubbles and correcting misconceptions all day long

 

[tirediron]

... 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.

 

[jake337]

It's alright, but if you want to see the true capabilities of your lens when it comes to bokeh, shoot wide open. Clearly, you don't understand what bokeh MEANS because you don't really have any good examples of it in either of the photos that you've posted referencing bokeh. You're looking for round out of focus areas of high contrast, such as light sources or objects. If you view the link I posted, there are some FANTASTIC bokeh photos in there and examples of how to use bokeh to enhance or create a composition. Bokeh is not just "blur". You need to get down below 4.5 in order to maximize what kind of bokeh your lens can create. Also, the cheap kit lenses really don't have the most flattering bokeh, so if that's what you're using to try and capture it, you're really going to have to work at it.

I'm still trying to figure out what you gained by shooting that picture in portrait orientation.

Edited to add: understanding the definition of the japanese word bokeh != understanding what bokeh is. Clearly.

Yeah unfortunately I dont have any faster lenses right now I cant get below F4.5 with the lens I have so the best I can hope for is to zoom all the way in and get close to the subject. I do know what you mean with the whole round out of focus thing I just cant achieve that with this lens I think.

You'll just have to get long background to subject distance working with the kit lens. Which can be hard with artistic foiliage, grass, flower, tree shots like this one and the other post you had.

Technical aspects aside, the shot below was at F5.6 on a kit lens, although it is at 105mm so the longer focal length helps out. Maybe a set of cheap teleconverters could help for now?

 

[gsgary]

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

 

[jake337]

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

He asked...

 

[g-fi]

... 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.