Bokeh: Beyond the f-stop Holiday lights are about to be everywhere! And what's prettier than twinkle lights in bokeh? I'm noticing on forums people asking how to get that pretty bokeh. Things like... I'm using a large aperture so why am I not getting what I want? It's not just about using f1.2 or 2.8. Let's delve a little deeper... Trouble-shooting bokeh. Get your subject closer to the camera. Try this... Focus on your pointer finger extended to arm's length. Keeping the focus on your finger, slowly move your finger closer to your eye. Notice how everything in the background starts to get more blurry? Your camera lens works the same way.Get your subject further from the background.Use a longer focal length. The longer the lens, the bigger the background will appear and the creamier the bokeh. Use your fastest lens. By "fast" we mean a lens with a large maximum aperture (1.2, 1.8, 2.8)Professional grade lenses will give you more rounded (less octagonal) shapes.Choose the right f-stop. Sometime a little detail left in the background is a good thing! (first image shot at 200mm, f2.8, Second image shot at 125mm, f6.3) Me: "Don't worry... I'll do better with the second kid" (it's the story of my life)
