Shutter Sisters

beautiful bokeh

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Ever since I heard the term Bokeh I was intrigued. I am infatuated with light and how light works to create a good photograph. I had always thought of Bokeh as the translation of out of focus light in little (or big) circular or sometime octagon-like shapes. We’ve all seen lovely shots full of beautiful bokeh but there’s more to it that I thought. I didn’t realize until a few months back that out of focus elements of the image that are smooth and delicious are also called Bokeh. OK then, now I know.

 

But what really got my attention is the term “bad bokeh”. Bad? Ouch. I’m not a person who really likes that word so it makes me cringe a little.  To my delight, after all this talk about bad bokeh, it turns out that folks are finally letting on that what is good and bad about Bokeh is highly subjective. Indeed! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, er, photographer. My sentiments exactly.

 

When I look at a photograph (mine or someone elses) I am either drawn to it, or I am not. It’s personal. There are elements within the shot that I could examine and describe and break down in my own mind. Why I like it, what works for me, etc. but mostly I just go on feel. How does the image make me feel? That is usually the indication to me of whether or not an image works. I know there’s a science to Bokeh but it makes my head spin trying to crack the code. So, I continue to seek these whimsical and mysterious circles of light, treating them like compositional elements, honoring them, giving them space to dance and play with my subjects and through trail and error I discover what works for me. Of course then there’s the question of processing. I digress.

 

I know I’ve succeeded when a simple image whispers secrets of beauty to my bended ear. When my spirit is lifted by a single moment distilled. When I beleive that anything is possible. When I feel it.

 

Do you also share a love affair with light?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and see the images of with bokeh that whisper secrets to you.

Comments

  15. It’s a beautiful shot, Tracy! Well done, you! Before I knew anything about photography, I thought that bokeh in photos represented flaws; now I have a different view.

  18. i’m a beginner and ever since i found this flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/okay-bokeh/ and read a little about bokeh in its "about" section, i’ve been experimenting a little obsessively.
    the extra late spring/early summer light i’ve been getting here lately is feeding my obsession!
    i love it when i can capture those little magical circles of light and play with smooth, light-filled areas.
    and though i know that to a purist, these would be "bad bokeh" for sure, i still love them ๐Ÿ™‚
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3524627193/in/set-72157607454224383/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3530034343/in/set-72157607454224383/

  28. Bokeh is our friend!!!
    I find myself looking at the bokeh in the background instead of what’s in the foreground.

    Also when watching TV….seeing some and saying outloud…."ooh nice bokeh!"

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/slcook52/sets/72157606626165441/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/slcook52/3060190369/in/set-72157606753578076/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/slcook52/3058514868/in/set-72157606753578076/

    http://sylviacookphotography.blogspot.com/2009/05/dazzling.html

    http://sylviacookphotography.blogspot.com/2009/01/intermission-over.html

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/slcook52/3115976192/in/set-72157603293826768/

    I have SO SO many more!!!

  30. This is one of my favorite pictures, and I like to think it’s got quite nice bokeh as well.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightymarce/3338713909/

    The 2 lenses we got with our camera when we bought it about 1.5 years ago, was a 17-85mm lens and the deliciously wonderful 50mm 1.8. I’ve been having a love affair with shooting wide open, and beautiful bokeh (even if I didn’t learn that official term until a few months ago), ever since. =)

  41. I’m glad you’re talking about bokeh. I have lots of shots with it and agree it’s subjective. I’m lately on a ‘skip-over-it’ if it’s a flower image, bokeh or not. I think, like bokeh, we get tired of everyone following what everyone else is doing. I’m feeling like I need to follow my own path a lot more these days. Not sure how this is coming across — I certainly don’t mean for it to be critical or even depressing. I’m just so tired of seeing so many images of flowers everywhere yet I perk up like a cat on a hot tin roof when I see a remarkable photo that is not a flower but some real moment in time, some detail, or shadow. And … if bokeh is involved, I’m even more excited. I don’t care if it’s bokeh balls, bokeh octagons, or soft blurry bokeh. You’re right — it’s all in the eye of the beholder. So, I won’t share the multiple links to my bokeh images but simply wanted to add to this lovely pondering on bokeh. Yes, I love it — in all its forms — as long as it’s in an image that is unique, out of the ordinary, or maybe a very ordinary moment, but just not another flower ๐Ÿ™‚

    Gosh I wish I could attend an in-person bokeh-fest where we all talk about bokeh, uniqueness, and other photographic endeavours. Thank goodness for SS!

  44. i’ve always had a love of dof shots & only recently learned about the idea of bokeh. i love the idea that we can look at something with the naked eye and again through the camera lens and change the story… it is a magical way of drawing your eye to the focus – but it also creates beauty from things in the background or foreground that you would never have considered to be interesting… like a painting – sometimes you discover or create happy accidents – sometimes they take effort… i love my 50…

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3535953069/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3593903943/

  45. i noticed a few people had questions re the definition of bokeh… i’ve looked it up recently after a big broohaha on flickr’s bokeh whores group… (research & sharing is an occupational hazard)

    Bokeh (derived from Japanese, a noun boke ๆšˆใ‘, meaning "blur" or "haze") is a photographic term referring to the appearance of point of light sources in an out-of-focus area of an image produced by a camera lens using a shallow depth of field.[1] Different lens bokeh produces different aesthetic qualities in out-of-focus backgrounds, which are often used to reduce distractions and emphasize the primary subject.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh

  48. it’s because of shutter sisters that i learned what bokeh is. i was never able to achieve it with my old camera {unless i used the macro setting}. but with my new camera, i can get it a lot, so i often try. but my favorite bokeh shot of recent was unintentional. it is the first one {starbucks drink} in this post:
    http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/05/ill-have-tall-iced-green-tea-latte-with.html

    great post! thanks for always teaching us about photography. i’ve learned so much here.

  49. I’m a couple of days behind here, but I have to agree with Diane somewhat, although I am ever so guilty of the flowery stuff. Since getting my new dslr, I’m a bit obsessed about the bokeh business and struggle with my own photographic choices to attain it. Every once in a while I change things up by shooting Polaroid or even Ttv just to come from a new view point. I do feel like it’s "all been done before" a lot of times, as the verse goes "alas there is nothing new under the sun"! Here’s my latest favorite anyway…
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/3578561003/in/set-72157604675872027/

  57. I have to move through it slowly like wading in the shallows of the sea. Baby steps. Baby steps.Wow this is a great resource.. Iโ€™m enjoying it.. good article