The Magic of the Bokeh

Transcription

1 The Magic of the Bokeh Digital Photography Tips for Beginners Jana Mänz Dr. Susan Brooks-Dammann

2 Content Introduction 3 Introduction 2. Bokeh Basics 5 3. The Abstract Bokeh Camera Settings Exposure Bracketing with Aperture Stops First Steps: Set-Up for a Bokeh About the Layout The Preparation The Aperture Bokehs in Nature Photography How we see Playing with Lights The Sense and Nonsense of Bokehs Bokeh Gadgets Fake-Bokeh: Playing with Photoshop Exercises with Bokehs Useful Links Glossary 56 Imprint 58 Boke 暈け or ボ respectively boke-aji ボケ味 is, what they call the blur in photographs. Literally translated bokeh means mist, blur or even senility (mental blur).

3 Introduction 2. Bokeh-Basics In the search of a name for the magical soft optical blur in the background of photographs, it was the Japanese who were the first to be successful. Boke ( 暈け or ボ ) respectively boke-aji ( ボケ味 ) ) is, what they call the blur in photographs. Literally translated bokeh means mist, blur or even senility (mental blur). In the end, Bokeh prevailed as photographic term, and by the middle of the last century it distributed into the Western world. Bokeh as the name for the blurriness refers to the aesthetic quality of the blurriness in pictures, which means how the bokeh is perceived and felt by the observer. The level of aesthetic of a bokeh cannot be measured. It only depends on the subjective perception. We can use the bokeh in a picture to improve its aesthetic quality. Though, bokehs are not always an enrichment in photography. They can have a disturbing effect if they distract from the motive or if the shape of the bokeh is perceived as less appealing. Often the bokeh is equated with the appearance of bright highlights in the background of pictures which transform into blurry overlapping circles of light. However, the term bokeh describes the blurriness of the background in general, whether or not highlights exist in the picture. Therefore the repeated discussions about the bokeh in different photography-forums are justified. Unfortunately these discussions mainly focus on the technical level. The participants of these discussions heatedly argue about which lens creates the most beautiful bokeh. We even find explanations about the physics of the bokeh in literature. Though, it only helps partly, if one does not exactly know how to compose a bokeh, not by coincidence, but on purpose. Yet, it is not as difficult as it seems at first sight. As we explained in the introduction, Bokeh describes the blurriness of a photograph, or to put it another way the subjectively perceived look of the blurriness. A photograph is always a two dimensional translation of the three dimensional reality. So, if we take a photograph, it is expected that the camera translates this three dimensionality into a two dimensionality. But it is technically impossible for a camera lens to focus on the complete focal plane of the three dimensional reality. The human eye also does not have this capability, but we have a brain, which compensates this lack. Otherwise we would also see these bokehs, which are seen by the camera. The camera adjusts to the focal plane, which can cover a very small area if the aperture is small and a wider area, if the aperture is larger. To better illustrate: The focal plane can be compared with slices of a loaf of bread which we randomly cut in the middle. The slices in the middle, no matter if thick or thin, appear focused to a certain extent. If the focus lines are exceeded in both directions, then the slices before and behind will blur more and more. Bokehs therefore are created by adjusting the lens to a certain focal plane and the rest will appear blurry. If there are lights in the background, so called circles of confusion will appear. 4 5

4 The lights will not be displayed as dots but as discs, which can look completely different depending on the layout of the blades in the lens. Each lens creates a very unique and individual bokeh. Lenses, in particular macro-lenses or lenses which are preferably used for portraits are partially optimized to create a particularly harmonious photograph. Lenses with fixed focal length most often create a more beautiful bokeh than zoom lenses, because they are better in focusing. As mentioned above, the look is always a matter of taste. Enough of the theory! Figure 2.1: Focus It is an advantage to own a large-aperture lens to create a bokeh. These lenses allow the aperture to be widely opened, letting lots of light into the camera. Despite all the advantages there is also a negative side to large apertures. Only a limited area can be focused and the photographer has to ensure the exact focus of the motive. As a rule of thumb one can keep in mind: the wider the aperture, the smaller the focal plane. Exactly what we need for a beautiful bokeh. Unfortunately such large-aperture lenses are also very expensive. But don't start to worry. A standard lens will also work for the beginning. Additionally important for the bokeh is the correctional state of the lens. This depends on, which area was optimized by the manufacturer, sharpness, contrast or resolution. But that is another matter. If you want to know more about the technical part of the bokeh then just have a look at chapter 12 where we collected a number of useful links. Tip from the editors Every lens has its individual bokeh. Yes, they actually also manufacture lenses just for the purpose of creating beautiful bokehs. For this reason people discuss in forums about softness, form of a bokeh and lenses. Do not let yourself get confused. Beauty, as we all know, lies in the eye of the beholder and the disparity can be used as a stylistic device in all its facets. Try it out, get creative! 6 7

5 Imprint AUTHORS Jana Mänz Dr. Susan Brooks-Dammann EDITOR, PRODUCTION, LAYOUT AND COMPOSITION Jana Mänz» Delighted Fotografie e-books Delighted photography e-books » Auf Deutsch erhältlich»» Available in English PROOFREADING Eberhard Pyritz, Stephan Bittokleit TRANSLATOR Christina Weinheimer-La Rue IMAGES (IF NOT SPECIFIED DIFFERENTLY) Dr. Susan Brooks-Dammann Jana Mänz FoodFotograFie Ganz einfach appetitliche Fotos Special thanks to Birgit Engelhardt and Denise Wandt. Fotografische Tipps und Tricks für leidenschaftliche Köche und Blogger. Mit praktischen Übungen und kreativen Bildbearbeitungs-Anleitungen. ISBN ISBN All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, internet/intranet or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For information on getting permission reprints and excerpts. Contact: Interessante Interviews und einfache leckere Rezepte zum nachkochen. Corinna Gissemann Jana Mänz Dr. Susan Brooks-Dammann In unserem Fotografie-Portal finden Sie aktuelle Informationen zu unseren e-books sowie interessante Tutorials, Esseys, Interviews sowie Neuigkeiten aus der Fotografie-Branche und vieles mehr. 2. Edition June 2015 Delighted Fotoschule Grimma und Vaihingen, Germany All rights reserved

6