What is bokeh?

AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
edited August 4, 2008 in Technique
Many folks pm or email me - happy to get them but I try to make the answers public, for two reasons: searchable for future, and also, if you have the question, many others probably do, to! I won't identify you, if you choose to say "yeah that was me" that's up to you :D

Today's question:

What is "bokeh?"

I have seen this mentioned many times recently but it's a term I'm not familiar with. I feel kinda stupid but in all my years in photography I've never seen this.

You're not alone.

So my stock answer is: "I know good bokeh when I see it." BTW it's usually pronounced "bowkuh" but it doesn't really matter how you see it. It's a very subjective thing - influenced by color, light, shadow, lens, subject, background, and photographer. Usually, fast lenses (f/2.8 and faster) give the best bokeh. Usually, higher quality lenses will give creamier, smoother, higher-cholesterol bokeh (think: 50 f/1.0, 85 f/1.2, etc). But you can do it, too, with most lenses. Here are some example shots and my humble explanations.

Here's an example, from Canon's 35 f/1.4 lens. Notice the quality of the OOF area - it disappears into a pleasing blend of colors - really smoothly:

12289109-L-1.jpg

Here's an example from Canon's 70-200L f/2.8 IS, notice the nice separation of main subject and background:
47754930-L-1.jpg

Here's an example from Canon's 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Notice the creamyness of the background, everything just melts away to buttery-smooth nothing-ness. That's really nice bokeh. Shoot wide open, and close up, and you'll get this effect:
47755058-L-1.jpg

Often, bokeh is described in terms of the quality of the OOF specular highlights. A fast lens (opens big!) wide open, will have a nice round opening for that light to come through, and will produce results like this:

47755530-L-1.jpg

OK everyone - let's see your bokeh!

Enjoy (out of focus backgrounds) photography,
«1345

Comments

  • DanielBDanielB Registered Users Posts: 2,362 Major grins
    edited December 10, 2005
    Here's an example, from Canon's 35 f/1.4 lens. Notice the quality of the OOF area - it disappears into a pleasing blend of colors - really smoothly:

    12289109-L-1.jpg


    just wanted to throw this in there, but my mom would absolutely DIE for a picture of that. lol.

    oh and also. thanks andy i had seen it so many times. i now feel like i'm "in on the secret" :giggle

    A.k.A.- intellegent.nod.gif
    lol.
    Daniel Bauer
    smugmug: www.StandOutphoto.smugmug.com

  • chuckhchuckh Registered Users Posts: 224 Major grins
    edited December 10, 2005
    Andy wrote:
    Many folks pm or email me - happy to get them but I try to make the answers public, for two reasons: searchable for future, and also, if you have the question, many others probably do, to! I won't identify you, if you choose to say "yeah that was me" that's up to you :D

    ...

    OK everyone - let's see your bokeh!

    Enjoy (out of focus backgrounds) photography,
    Very nice images Andy as always!!! clap.gif

    Here's a couple:

    Flower_bokeh_01.jpg


    Flower_bokeh_02.jpg
  • DanielBDanielB Registered Users Posts: 2,362 Major grins
    edited December 10, 2005
    does this qualify as Bokeh??
    Daniel Bauer
    smugmug: www.StandOutphoto.smugmug.com

  • ginger_55ginger_55 Registered Users Posts: 8,416 Major grins
    edited December 10, 2005
    Yes, DAniel, that is Bokeh.

    This is the most pronounced Bokeh I ever got. The first time I used my new 300 mm lens, a long time ago.

    That lens is something like an f 5.6, not fast at all.

    42233156-L.jpg


    The really out of focus part is the bokeh. I was very close to the Pelicans. The bokeh, and I didn't know that word either, it kind of scared me as the background there is really a mess, very busy. This was such an improvement, but not what I expected at all.

    ginger

    I say bokeh is the out of focus part around the in focus main subject. Some is more pleasing than others. I have gotten terrible bokeh shooting through trees at a sunset type setting. Just godaweful terrible stuff, and with this same lens, and with my now 400 mm.
    After all is said and done, it is the sweet tea.
  • docwalkerdocwalker Registered Users Posts: 1,867 SmugMug Employee
    edited December 11, 2005
    Some examples of Bokeh.

    36144387-L.jpg

    37438137-L.jpg

    I love it as I have found it useflul to get rid of bad backgound elements and save shots.
    SmugMug Support Hero
    http://help.smugmug.com
  • Phil U.Phil U. Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited December 12, 2005
    I found this article on the subject helpful - it goes a bit into the techie side but not too far.

    http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm
  • RichardBrackinRichardBrackin Registered Users Posts: 31 Big grins
    edited December 12, 2005
    ...more bokeh. Canon 135mm F/2.0
    48060560-M.jpg
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    224853043-Th.jpg
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • anderivanderiv Registered Users Posts: 80 Big grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    Andy wrote:
    OK everyone - let's see your bokeh!
    If you insist! ;-)

    I've only recently acquired fast enough lenses to get good bokeh, so this is my best so far:

    157648177-M.jpg
    Erik Anderson
    http://andersonfam.org
    http://andersonfam.smugmug.com
    D70 | SB-600 | Nifty Fifty | Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 | Nikon 70-300 f/4-5.6G
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
  • JimWJimW Registered Users Posts: 333 Major grins
    edited November 27, 2007
    Great thread. I love all these out of focus areas, both backgrounds and foregrounds. Here's one of mine, taken with a 4x5 camera with both the front standard and the rear standard all twisted up to throw the plane of focus on a diagonal across her eyes. Lens was a Schneider 210mm.



    143218324-O.jpg

    I don't want the cheese, I just want to get out of the trap.


    http://www.jimwhitakerphotography.com/
  • BeachBillBeachBill Registered Users Posts: 1,311 Major grins
    edited November 27, 2007
    "Sights of the Season"
    114040132-L.jpg

    This is one I shot last year specificially for a bokeh themed photo contest. It won first place.
    Shot with a Canon 30D and Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 at 50mm and f/2.8, using ambient light.
    Bill Gerrard Photography - Facebook - Interview - SmugRoom: Useful Tools for SmugMug
  • Glenn NKGlenn NK Registered Users Posts: 268 Major grins
    edited November 27, 2007
    My favourite link on the topic; although it's entitled Bokeh Test, it demonstrates the difference between good and bad bokeh, and also gets into terminology for different kinds of bokeh; such as "bright edge" bokeh and "double line" bokeh.

    It's long, and when I first saw it, I skimmed through it quickly to the photos, then when I went back and read the text, I understood it much better.

    http://www.rickdenney.com/bokeh_test.htm
    "There is nothing that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man’s lawful prey". John Ruskin 1819 - 1900
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited November 29, 2007
    213983469-M.jpg

    70-200 f/2.8 IS L USM
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • BeachBillBeachBill Registered Users Posts: 1,311 Major grins
    edited December 2, 2007
    Here is an interesting article on changing the shape of your bokeh to things like hearts or stars or whatever...

    http://www.diyphotography.net/diy_create_your_own_bokeh
    Bill Gerrard Photography - Facebook - Interview - SmugRoom: Useful Tools for SmugMug
  • JovesJoves Registered Users Posts: 200 Major grins
    edited December 2, 2007
    Ah here is one of mine.
    11246282-M.jpg
    I shoot therefore Iam.
    http://joves.smugmug.com/
  • leaforteleaforte Registered Users Posts: 1,948 Major grins
    edited December 2, 2007
    Some Holiday Bokah
    47691284-L.jpg
    Growing with Dgrin



  • BilsenBilsen Registered Users Posts: 2,143 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2007
    It can also be done with a Superzoom
    such as the Canon S5 IS:

    large.jpg

    87205233.jpg
    Bilsen (the artist formerly known as John Galt NY)
    Canon 600D; Canon 1D Mk2;
    24-105 f4L IS; 70-200 f4L IS; 50mm 1.4; 28-75 f2.8; 55-250 IS; 580EX & (2) 430EX Flash,
    Model Galleries: http://bilsen.zenfolio.com/
    Everything Else: www.pbase.com/bilsen
  • PhyxiusPhyxius Registered Users Posts: 1,396 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2007
    114635782-L.jpg
    Bokeh is fun! This was my first shot with the 70-200 2.8. I wanted to see how fast of a shutter speed I could take at ISO 200 F2.8. Needless to say it was love at first click. rolleyes1.gif
    Christina Dale
    SmugMug Support Specialist - www.help.smugmug.com

    http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
    Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
  • RhuarcRhuarc Registered Users Posts: 1,464 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2007
    As long as this thread is revived anyway, I need to ask. Could someone show me some examples of really bad bokeh to contrast with the really good?
  • Glenn NKGlenn NK Registered Users Posts: 268 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2007
    Rhuarc wrote:
    As long as this thread is revived anyway, I need to ask. Could someone show me some examples of really bad bokeh to contrast with the really good?

    I think some of the examples in the link I gave in post 14 are examples of bad bokeh.
    "There is nothing that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man’s lawful prey". John Ruskin 1819 - 1900
  • LiquidAirLiquidAir Registered Users Posts: 1,751 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2007
    Rhuarc wrote:
    As long as this thread is revived anyway, I need to ask. Could someone show me some examples of really bad bokeh to contrast with the really good?

    Here is an example of less-than-ideal Bokeh. See how the lens has turned all the specular highlights into little rings? You can also see a doubling up of all the blades of grass in the background. This is 100% crop from the original frame:

    93485452-O-1.jpg
  • jeffreaux2jeffreaux2 Registered Users Posts: 4,762 Major grins
    edited December 12, 2007
    I will throw a couple out there.

    Taken with my Tamron 28-75 F2.8 lens last year right after I took it out of the box.
    Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi ,Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD
    1/100s f/2.8 at 75.0mm iso200

    original.jpg


    Canon 50mm F1.8

    Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi ,Canon 50mm f/1.8
    1/1000s f/1.8 at 50.0mm iso200

    large.jpg

    Canon 85mmF1.8 Not sur about aperature.....probably F2.0 to F 4.0?

    216310546-L.jpg
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited December 13, 2007
    20D + 70-200 f/2.8 IS L USM + ST E2 + 430 EX
    I like this lens very much.
    EXIF

    231923833-M.jpg231962598-M.jpg
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited December 15, 2007
    232519125-M.jpg232508733-M.jpg232519679-M-1.jpg
    20 D + 1.4 mult + 70-200 IS L USM
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2008
    244958392-L.jpg

    EXIF

    Canon 20D + 24-70 f/2.8 L USM
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2008
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2008
    Giphsub wrote:
    Love that last chess one Antonio thumb.gif

    Mike: :Dbowdown.gifthumb
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited January 27, 2008
    247796576-Th.jpg

    EXIF clicking on photo, please. With off camera snooted flash.
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • fashiznitsngrinsfashiznitsngrins Registered Users Posts: 220 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2008
    232508733-M.jpg
    20 D + 1.4 mult + 70-200 IS L USM

    Love this one man!
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