My first attempt at Bokeh for C&C

[Tight Knot]

1.

2.

 

[rateeg]

i think all are out of focus.

 

[enzodm]

Out of focus/motion blur (did you use a tripod?), lights overexposed, but mainly there is not much bokeh. Open more, you took it at f/8.

 

[Tight Knot]

Yup, you are correct. Looking for more C&C on the actual Bokeh quality.

 

[Tight Knot]

Out of focus/motion blur (did you use a tripod?), lights overexposed, but mainly there is not much bokeh. Open more, you took it at f/8.

I used a tripod, and a 2 second timer. It's funny about the f8, when I tried it with an f1.4, there was even less bokeh. If you want I can post an example.

 

[enzodm]

Yup, you are correct. Looking for more C&C on the actual Bokeh quality.

bokeh is indeed a quality (of the out of focus areas). Not much out of focus area here, details are available even in the more distant parts (look at fence and trees). This because you took it at a small aperture (high f number), even if the scene was adequate for blurring: close subject, far background. And part of blur is likely provided by motion (in the first). So, not much bokeh too .

 

[enzodm]

Out of focus/motion blur (did you use a tripod?), lights overexposed, but mainly there is not much bokeh. Open more, you took it at f/8.

I used a tripod, and a 2 second timer. It's funny about the f8, when I tried it with an f1.4, there was even less bokeh. If you want I can post an example.

The second one is clearly blurred, the first in fact is better.
Yes thanks, I want an example at f/1.4 with more OoF.

 

[Tight Knot]

Out of focus/motion blur (did you use a tripod?), lights overexposed, but mainly there is not much bokeh. Open more, you took it at f/8.

I used a tripod, and a 2 second timer. It's funny about the f8, when I tried it with an f1.4, there was even less bokeh. Here it is in all it's glory.

 

[enzodm]

I used a tripod, and a 2 second timer. It's funny about the f8, when I tried it with an f1.4, there was even less bokeh. Here it is in all it's glory.

Mmm... Apart that you have to compare on the same scene, as obvious here there is really OoF (look at the fence) and some bokeh. Perhaps... Bokeh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ?

 

[Tight Knot]

What surprises me, is that the blurring of the lights in the f8 is rounder than the f1.4. Chances are I have something else wrong with my settings, and can't figure out what it is.

 

[ghache]

You should try your "bokeh" shots during the day using a a large aperture. it will be alot easier than light exposure shots at night.

 

[Tight Knot]

You should try your "bokeh" shots during the day using a a large aperture. it will be alot easier than light exposure shots at night.

If my goal is to take bokeh shots of night lights, how can I do that during the day? Or would it be easier to learn with daytime bokeh, and that will make it easier to progress to nighttime bokeh shots?

 

[enzodm]

What surprises me, is that the blurring of the lights in the f8 is rounder than the f1.4. Chances are I have something else wrong with my settings, and can't figure out what it is.

Ah! Now I understand what you think is bokeh.
Your lights are rounder in the f/8 pic because are badly overexposed, not because they are out of focus. And they are overexposed because the overall light vs. f/1.4 version is something less than double (f/8 3.2s ISO400 vs. f/1.4 0.5s ISO100).
In f/1.4 version you can see some of the circles typical of OoF light points if you look on the left of the last light.
However, better to do these experiments in the day. Go closer to that amphora and the rest will be more blurred (bokeh does not mean just "light circle").
If you just want some circle of confusion, shot some defocused point of light, i.e., something much smaller than those lights. No surprise people do this with Christmas trees .

 

[GeorgieGirl]

I agree, try during daylight.

 

[Tight Knot]

What surprises me, is that the blurring of the lights in the f8 is rounder than the f1.4. Chances are I have something else wrong with my settings, and can't figure out what it is.

Ah! Now I understand what you think is bokeh.
Your lights are rounder in the f/8 pic because are badly overexposed, not because they are out of focus. And they are overexposed because the overall light vs. f/1.4 version is something less than double (f/8 3.2s ISO400 vs. f/1.4 0.5s ISO100).
In f/1.4 version you can see some of the circles typical of OoF light points if you look on the left of the last light.
However, better to do these experiments in the day. Go closer to that amphora and the rest will be more blurred (bokeh does not mean just "light circle").
If you just want some circle of confusion, shot some defocused point of light, i.e., something much smaller than those lights. No surprise people do this with Christmas trees .

AHA!! Now I see. Finally, dawn lights on marble head. Thanks for the explanation. I'll definitely try during the daytime, and I will also try and hunt up some small lights to try this with. Thanks.:thumbup: