Creating beautiful bokeh

Bokeh is a word that is often used to describe images with backgrounds that are out of focus. Photographers gravitate toward the goal of creating beautiful bokeh. First we need to understand what bokeh is and how it adds creativity to our images.

When I was asked to critique images, and the theme was bokeh, I thought I knew what it was. While preparing for the critique, I discovered that my initial perception of bokeh was incorrect.

What exactly is bokeh?

Our sponsor, B&H Photo, has a wonderful article on Understanding Bokeh. The article goes in-depth, technically, to describe bokeh and the best lenses to create it. I am going to keep it simple for you.

Bokeh is a Japanese word. You will hear it pronounced “boke,” “bo-ka,” “bo-key,” and “bo-kay.” The correct pronunciation is “bo-kay.” The word bokeh means “blurred background with specular highlights.”

Consequently, the blurred background part is what many photographers consider to be bokeh. In fact, a blurred background is part of the definition of bokeh. But the other part of the definition is “specular highlights.” Specifically, what are specular highlights?

Specular highlights

Specular highlights are a key ingredient to creating bokeh. The little light circles captured in the blurred background are specular highlights or bokeh.

How to create bokeh

In fact, bokeh does not just happen. Stop and analyze the scene to determine if the potential for bokeh exists. However, I have learned if my subject is in a wooded area and there are light spots in the trees, I will get bokeh.

Additionally, there are other factors to consider when creating bokeh.

Lens choice to create bokeh

Certainly, many lenses will create bokeh. Furthermore, the main variable in creating bokeh is depth of field and where your subject is located in relationship to the background. For instance, the closer you are to your subject and the further away you are from the background there is a good chance you will get bokeh.

In fact, macro lenses typically have, at their widest aperture, f/2.8. For instance, if you are photographing an object at f/2.8 for sure you will have a blurred background and if conditions are right, you will have bokeh.

Beautiful bokeh with telephoto lens

Even long telephoto lenses can create bokeh. When photographing wildlife, the distance between the animal and the background will lend to bokeh. Additionally, telephoto lenses compress the backgrounds creating the blur and if you have a source of light coming through the trees or light on water bokeh will appear.

Additionally, even at short distances, bokeh is achieved by using a telephoto lens. The following images were photographed at the RAPTOR, Inc. rehabilitation center in Milford, Ohio with the Olympus OM1 and M. Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro with the 1.4 teleconverter. Due to their extensive injuries, neither the Peregrine Falcon nor the Great Horned Owl can return to the wild.

Creating beautiful bokeh with specialty lenses

Specifically, the Lensbaby product line has a wide variety of creative lenses that create beautiful blur and bokeh.

Intentional bokeh

As a matter of fact, you can create your own bokeh. In the following images I placed mini string lights in the background. The photographs were created in my studio with the Olympus OM-1. Wall-E, photographed with the M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 macro lens produced nice, round-shaped bokeh. Finally, in the second image, I used the Lensbaby Soft Focus II and changed the aperture disk to create star burst shape to my bokeh.

Final thoughts on creating beautiful bokeh

To summarize, understanding how bokeh is created is the first step in adding creativity to your images. As demonstrated above, bokeh can be accomplished in different environments with a variety of lenses. Additionally, good observation skills will assist you in creating beautiful bokeh. Finally, grab your camera and favorite lens and go out and create beautiful bokeh!