August 26, 2011

hello beautiful....


i can hear the cicadas at night. they make noise without a care in the world. wouldn't it be great if we could do that, too. think about it. think about walking outside after the sky has colored itself that perfect shade of black. standing there. looking around. 
then screaming loud enough that someone could possibly call it deafening. 
yet they wouldn't care. or be surprised.
and
might even think it beautiful
~
maybe this should be PHOTO TIP friday. 
maybe you want to learn how to take a photo like the one above and have a totally cool bokeh background. oh and just so you know, that word has been pronounced in more way then i can count. i say bokeh like "boke-uh" which sounds like "boca"
anyhow
trying to describe how to do this isn't easy, so bear with me. first of all, you need to shoot on aperture mode and use the largest aperture your LENS will allow. now remember, the largest aperture is actually the smallest number. like 1.4 or a 2.8 or 3.5
~
now think about your depth of field. you want to try and get as much distance between your subject and the light source behind it, as that's what gives you the bokeh effect.
~
confused yet. let's talk about my photo in hopes of making it clearer. i shot this hanging flower indoors at a conservatory with my 100mm lens and my aperture at 3.5 with a ton of space between the flower and the sun coming in from the skylights in the ceiling. did i do it on purpose. not at all. my 100mm lens is what i use for my macro shots {which is what i had been shooting} and i just happened to see this withered flower about my head and took a photo of it. i could have switched to what would have been a more appropriate lens, like my 17-55 and put my aperture at 2.8, but i was too lazy to do that. would i still have gotten bokeh in the background with the 17-55. yes. as my lens would have gotten me closer to my subject BUT i still would have had a ton of space between the flower and my light source.
~
sorry. now i've really done it. you're even more confused. right
~
the best time to practice and play with bokeh, is at christmas. a lit up christmas tree in your background, while you focus on your child or a wrapped present will be a. fun and b. produce some amazing bokeh 
~
am i a certified instructor for giving directions on achieving bokeh in your photos. 
not a chance. but i do like to share a little bit of what i know.
~
the happiest of weekending to all of you. 
and if you're on the east coast, with irene approaching the area where you live, you probably aren't even  on the computer reading this, but just so you know, a bunch of prayers are being sent your way.
*






32 comments:

  1. I've always wanted to know more about these backgrounds, I'm saving this post to spend more time on it later and maybe practice. Lovely photo!!

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  2. i love learning from you :) in that feminine wandering life meandering way that makes all the sense in the world ♥ i may or may not be better at bokeh but i'm better :) and the christmas tip alone is priceless.

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  3. I think I'm addicted to bokeh! It's a really great way to make your subject shine. Great job!

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  4. That's just the most calm exuding shot I've seen in a while. I shoot with a DSLR and still don't understand the lingo. Trust me... I've tried. Sometimes I just get a lucky shot in.

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  5. I think your mini tutorial was just fine Beth! Now if I only a camera....

    with 2 kids In NYC you bet I'm praying.

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  6. Lots to practice with this week-end ;-)

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  7. couldn't focus on the camera tip
    cause my imagination slipped right
    into the groove of your hilarious
    "wouldn't it be great..."
    and I'm enjoying the laugh
    too much
    to learn something new:)
    I'll think of that often
    outside at night
    and will probably not suppress
    the howl I've been goaded into
    letting out:):):)

    You are a treasure:)
    -Jennifer

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  8. lovely as always, beth! :o)

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  9. No one would ever think my howling or screaming was beautiful, but I do appreciate the thought! Love your photo.

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  10. if i can offer more advice? there's a group on flickr called bokeh whores and their discussion groups are equally helpful. :o)

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  11. Yes...a lesson on a how to of photography...especially yours! Your photos are incredible!

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  12. you're so cute and charming, I want to hang out with you and shoot bokeh.

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  13. Very Nicely done. Love the large bokeh.
    Have the most beautiful weekend.

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  14. You have my email. I have a question. How do you make such beautiful headers

    Lisa xo

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  15. loved the cicada story. makes me want to go outside and shout now!!!

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  16. Lovely photo! I've been playing around with the aperture mode and depth of field lately... I'm getting it by playing around with different settings! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  17. I'll keep this in mind for the day I own a DSLR!

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  18. The more I learn about taking photos the more I realize that my photographic technique is completely hit or miss:) This shot is beautiful!

    We have prepared as much as we can for the storm and now just have to wait and see what happens....

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  19. OK, I knew the aperture thing, but not the light. I need to read this a few more times to get it, but I appreciate the tips alot. Thanks!

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  20. I so appreciate when people share how they get fantastic shots like this, thanks!

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  21. I've known what bokeh is but never knew how to pronounce it!!! You did a great job explaining it, I know so many people appreciate it.

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  22. Gorgeous bokeh! This photo is amazing!

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  23. Love it when you give us challenges to try! Your bokeh is so beautiful!
    Late afternoon and we still have power here in Philly ...

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  24. I've been trying out bokeh pretty unsuccessfully. Thanks a lot for this

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  25. Funny -after awhile - capturing and creating bokeh becomes something you just feel. Like magic!! Thanks for the tutorial!!!

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  26. The rose... so tender and fragile. Beautiful.

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  27. It isn't a rose! What a dummy!

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  28. My best photos have been accidents. But the more I learn, the more beautiful accidents I seem to have! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Mine flew past me!

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  29. Ohhh...I love hearing cicadas again! Hope you had a lovely weekend! xoxo

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  30. Thanks for the tips Beth. I've found that I get the bokeh effect when I'm not trying...I'll just be doing something and when I look at what I've shot, I'll see it. But now I know how to do it deliberately!! Can't wait for Christmas to really put this into practice!

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  31. My best bokeh shots are happy accidents. I always love the effect. This is a beauty of a shot, Beth.

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  32. I love your tips and by the way, did you get a lot of search engines finding your "porn" post?!!!

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**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth