Needing some quick answers please?? :)

sweetbutterfly1973 · Apr 7, 2011

I guess this is a pretty basic and easy question?? I am super new to photography and am just starting to desire to learn more.

The reason I need an answer quickly is because I am putting up my new website this weekend for my at home business and I need some quick pictures of my 6 month old wearing my products!!

I want to have her in focus and the background blurred ( I know enough that this is called bokeh effect LOL). I am planning on self learning more about photography and perhaps even purchase another camera later if needed. BUT right now I would love it if someone could tell me how I can get the bokeh effect using my current camera (or do I need to purchase photoshop)

My camera is the Canon SX30 IS. I am going to be spending time the next couple days trying to get some decent pics so I can post them this weekend on my new website!

Is it even possible to create bokeh with this camera? If so....how do I do it?
Thank you soooooo much

bennielou · Apr 7, 2011

Well there are a few ways to do it. Shoot with a long fast lens from close up. The other way is Photoshop. Select what you want to blur, and use blur. Hope that makes sense.

AustinPhotographer · Apr 7, 2011

If you can, set your aperture to the widest setting possible (lowest number), set your zoom to full and leave it there, frame your shot and you should have it

Big Mike · Apr 7, 2011

Welcome to the forum.

By the way, what you are trying to achieve is a shallow Depth of Field (DOF), which throws the background out of focus. 'Bokeh' is used to describe the qualities of the out of focus area. We might say that one lens gives a more pleasing bokeh than another...but we don't call that effect bokeh.

As mentioned, the primary way we get a shallow DOF, is by using a large aperture (which is represented by a low F number on the camera/lens). Another factor is the focal length, a longer length/lens can give you a shallower DOF. Another one is how close you are to the subject. The closer you are, the more shallow the DOF. Lastly, the size of your sensor will make a difference...and here is where you will run into problems. Your camera is of the 'point & shoot' variety and has a rather tiny sensor. On the other hand, Digital SLR cameras (or film 35mm film cameras for example) have a much larger recording area, which gives a shallower DOF. So if you are looking at some photos with a blurry background, it's very likely that they weren't taken with the type of camera that you have.

Now, you can do your best to get this effect but using the techniques & settings mentioned above...but if you want a blurry background, there is another thing to consider. That is the distance from your subject to the background. The DOF is a range of distance away from the camera, so if the background is close behind your subject, it will likely be in-focus. But if you can set up your shot so that the background is much farther behind your subject, you will be much more likely to get that background to be out of focus (especially if you can get close to your subject).

The reason I need an answer quickly is because I am putting up my new website this weekend for my at home business and I need some quick pictures of my 6 month old wearing my products!!

Have you considered just hiring a photographer (or at least a hobbyist photographer) to do the shots for you? The quality of the photos on your website will likely play a big part in the success of your business...so is this really something you want to do yourself, while rushed, with equipment that isn't ideal for the job?

sweetbutterfly1973 · Apr 7, 2011

Sorry, but how do I shoot with a long fast lens. I know, a newbie

I am seriouslly going to figure a lot of this out on my own...just I am under pressure of a time constraint right now!

Big Mike · Apr 7, 2011

Long: A longer focal length (zoom out)
Fast: A large aperture (or a lens with a large maximum aperture).

sweetbutterfly1973 · Apr 7, 2011

Hey, Big Mike...I totally get what you are saying. I have been in contact with a photographer and I just havent heard back. I guess I am getting excited about learning to do this myself, but it is kinda ridiculous of me to be so rushed. I dont think I am going to get the images I am hoping for unless someone else does them.
Oh, and thanks for correcting me ...seriously...glad to know cause it is one less thing I need to learn. Depth of Field....got it
well, I am at least going to go practice a bit and use some of the techniques you mentioned. I know my camera isnt what I need for what I want....but it is all I have right now. I really really hope hubby says YES to an SLR soon haha.

oh...I just tried some of the effects. I am pleased to say that I am a BIT closer to what I am looking for. But my background is blackened out....why would this be? When I go to shoot, it appears out of focus (it is a light beige couch) but in the finished image it is ver very dark. Black. What am I doing wrong? Thank you soooo much