The classic look of Bokeh in photography is a bit difficult to quantify, but it’s important to understand because you can do amazing things with the concept. Basically, at its core, Bokeh is the idea of ​​having blurry images that enhance the quality of an image’s main subject. There are several different methods that can be used to achieve the ideal Bokeh look, but there is what is known as “good” and “bad” Bokeh.

The good bokeh

When looking at an image that has a center point subject (for example, a person) and the background image, whether in an indoor or outdoor room, in a natural environment, it is out of focus or blurred, subtly so that the image blurred do not detract. rather it enhances the beauty of the focal image, then this is considered good bokeh.

By rendering the points of light out of focus, it places more emphasis on the key themes of the images. However, it is not always easy to create good bokeh.

Bad bokeh

When a blurry image is harsh or made in such a way that it blends in with the main subject or attracts more attention than the focal point of the image, then it is considered poor bokeh. The combination of light and the background image can have an impact on the overall quality of the bokeh that is created.

While it can be difficult to describe what bad bokeh is, the main idea is that when it is bad it detracts from the image, rather than enhancing or at least not taking away from the focal aspect.

How to create the Bokeh look

To achieve the bokeh effect, it is important to use the correct lens and aperture setting. The lower the setting, the blurrier the background images will become. However, choosing the wrong lens can cause a blurry image that contrasts with the main subject. A good example of good bokeh would be a person standing in a field with the background blurred behind him so that the individual stands out clearly.

Different lenses are designed to create this stronger contrast between background images and focal points. The goal of any aspect of bokeh is to ensure that background images are softer around the edges of the image and especially around the central focal point of the image. This means that less defined shapes, such as the landscape in the background, will blend smoothly.

The shape of the aperture will also have an impact on the overall look of the bokeh. Most conventional aperture shapes tend to be hard-edged polygonal, but a more curved aperture shape can create a more subtle and ultimately pleasing bokeh effect. Some lens manufacturers have been offering circular aperture shapes and others have relied on lenses that are suited to portrait photography, allowing images to become more subtle without the lingering threat of harsher edges that can sometimes be found. with those hard-edged polygonal aperture shapes.

Understanding the classic look of bokeh is an excellent first step in experimenting and discovering a new array of photographic possibilities.