1.- DEFINITION OF BOKEH

Bokeh is an adaptation from a a Japanese word meaning blur. In photography this term is used to describe the quality of the areas in the picture which are not in focus.

Here it is the Wikipedia definition:
Bokeh (derived from Japanese bokeaji "blur") is a photographic term referring to the appearance of out-of-focus areas in an image produced by a camera lens.[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.

Although difficult to quantify, some lenses enhance overall image quality by producing more subjectively pleasing out-of-focus areas, referred to as bokeh. Bokeh is especially important for large-aperture lenses, macro lenses, and long telephoto lenses because they are typically used with a shallow depth of field. Bokeh is also important for "portrait lenses" (typically medium telephoto — 85–150 mm on 35-mm format) because the photographer would typically select a shallow depth of field (wide aperture) to achieve an out of focus background and make the subject stand out.

I suggest to read all the information in Wikipedia including the “circle of confusion” definition, follow this link: link

Circle of confusion definition: link

SO, basically to achieve your first bokeh, try with Christimas lights. You will definitely need a DSRL camera, you can´t achieve that effect with a point a shoot one. Take your 50 mm lens (though it works with any kind of lenses too, I´ve try with my kid lens and works good, but as you already read, large-aperture lenses will provide better shapes, especially the shaped bokeh thecnique) and blur the space till you get something like this:

Easy hu? It is not that complicated if you only try! Then, you can add the bokeh to another picture as texture like many deviants do today, it`s like a fashion
…or just try to focus an object and put the lights far behind from it to create a bokeh, practice and be creative!

2.- SHAPED BOKEH THECHNIQUE

I won´t take credit for this, the reality is that I´ve been too lazy to make a tutorial, so I will just provide you with the link to the best tutorial about shaped bokeh I´ve found in the web.

Here is the link: link

Do you have a cool bokeh? Send me notes for the next article

3.- SOME GREAT BOKEH STOCK IN DA

So here I feature some wonderful textures available for deviants!

I made this one just for you, it is my first collection, I promise to submit more bokeh textures later:


And these ones are from the community:


4.- FEATURE OF ARTISTIC EXAMPLES

Some great featured from creative deviants



And now some personal shot´s, cause I am a bokeh addict myself


Want more features? If you have suggestions for the next article note me
Hope you liked!

Blessings!

Angie M.