BOKEH BOKEH BOKEH - The Good and the Ugly

[Pete]

This is a bit of an off-shoot from the Bokeh thread in the lens section here.

Now. To me, bokeh is the art of using a blurred background to provide a pleasing contrast to the subject. In effect, the subject should be isolated away from the background and "pop".

So, post your best candidates here and I'll pass my subjective and artistic judgment on them all.

[Pete]

Example - Good - Subject is isolated but diffuse and neutral background that compliments the colours of the subject.

http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos/normal/20080219_APER1893.jpg

Bad - Background is made up of linear elements that distracts from the subject

http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos/normal/IMG_1280.jpg

[_aravena]

^Like 3D!!!

How about this?

Sigma 70-200 (it's been cropped too!)
http://a619.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/80/l_6f6d92e852984d3a6430fd6ff1826862.jpg

or this

100-400L (awesome lens)
http://a876.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/111/l_4eea128ccaece181c7ce3b93a6385823.jpg

This I know.
http://a375.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/50/l_c3a8b7fcf2c55fdda87d6746f585e67e.jpg

[Pete]

^Like 3D!!!

How about this?
http://a619.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/80/l_6f6d92e852984d3a6430fd6ff1826862.jpg

Nice, diffuse background, but let down by the odd effect of the leaf edges to the right hand side.

5/10

[Chet]

I'll post it in here instead ;)

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/229919494_fGWFS-M-1.jpg

[_aravena]

Nice, diffuse background, but let down by the odd effect of the leaf edges to the right hand side.

5/10

Yeah, kinda figured after looking at it again. I just love that shot since I don't have a macro and that's as good as I'll get of a fly probably.

[Pete]

Yeah, kinda figured after looking at it again. I just love that shot since I don't have a macro and that's as good as I'll get of a fly probably.

The other examples are lots better - except for the terrible sensor dust.

Third one is lots better.

[Pete]

I'll post it in here instead ;)

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/229919494_fGWFS-M-1.jpg

This is good. Nice placement, the central subject is isolated nicely. Being framed by the hands reaching for the pumpkin is another plus point.

[jacobsen1]

http://www.benjacobsen.com/wp-content/gallery/135l/IMG_4898.jpg

[Pete]

http://www.benjacobsen.com/wp-content/gallery/135l/IMG_4898.jpg

A nice example of "fokeh" here, although the bars seem to be distracting, being brighter than the cat behind...

[TobyR]

Hopefully, this is an example of good bokeh, if not, please don't shout: I'm only a beginner!

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff212/TobyR_Album/TearsOfAFlower_edit.jpg

[Pete]

Hopefully, this is an example of good bokeh, if not, please don't shout: I'm only a beginner!

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff212/TobyR_Album/TearsOfAFlower_edit.jpg

That's a great start... Although the colours in the background very much echo the colours and tonality of the subject that it's hard to settle on what to look at (so maybe angling the background to be more green than red would be better here).

[Weez]

Here are a couple from a concert in a local bar:
1
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2277648998_0d10987422.jpg

2

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/2277642616_f570d84333.jpg

3
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/2277647944_9802ce29cc.jpg

[Permagrin]

some bokeh that I like for various reasons (I've been trying to find some I haven't posted elsewhere)

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/168562996_ryZuQ-L.jpg

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/148625597_MzD8P-L.jpg

http://lcimages.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p22367915-4.jpg

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/144084945_JTJge-L.jpg

[JWright]

How about this one?

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/photos/235829188_KbQDu-L.jpg

[tommykjensen]

One of mine

http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photo2.php?n=HarrisHawk3.jpg

[Pete]

Here are a couple from a concert in a local bar:
1
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2277648998_0d10987422.jpg

2

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/2277642616_f570d84333.jpg

3
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/2277647944_9802ce29cc.jpg

Weez. Warm welcome to POTN. I like your shots, but some are out of focus where they should be pretty sharp. Nice interpretation, but the background appears to have more interest than the subjects.

[sugarzebra]

Here is one from this past weekend.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2270754436_45e75a1348_o.jpg

[Pete]

some bokeh that I like for various reasons (I've been trying to find some I haven't posted elsewhere)

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/168562996_ryZuQ-L.jpg

CDS would be proud... :D Superb...

[_aravena]

Awesome! My fav bird. Blakc caped chickadee.

flying spider!!! Major cropped seeing how I don't have a macro, but I like it since it's all I'll get till I get a macro. Ugh...
http://a737.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/38/l_3be23d6658143188461cdd39cf9289a8.jpg

I actually got injured taking this shot. not badly, but pretty seriously scraped up my leg. Don't ask, but I did have to leave immediately to find some bandages before I bleed everywhere.
http://a154.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/81/l_5b137baf583a31e374b933faa4e44a89.jpg

[Weez]

Thanks for the look, i know they are off a bit, I just started shooting in difficult low light situations so I am getting ramped up on that. I'lll keep plugging away.

[joayne]

So Pete, you got tired of trying to explain BOKEH on the bokeh thread?! I finally unsubscribed as 95% of the photos are not examples of creamy bokeh but rather DOF. Ilike your rating system :)

Come On Folks... Nice BOKEH

[poppie guy]

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/168562996_ryZuQ-L.jpg

What kind of bird it this? I like the photo.

[Permagrin]

What kind of bird it this? I like the photo.

It's a cedar waxwing. I've only got 3 shots of that type of bird, in my bird gallery because I have the hardest time finding it, let alone catching it picturesque :) And thanks.

[Randy1213]

Here's some bokeh I like:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/rwg_bucket/Drahonflysharp.jpg

[Thelonius]

Going through some old shots I found this:

http://images.fotopic.net/yhj8m5.jpg

Full size at:
http://alfox6648.fotopic.net/p29497793.html

[CyberDyneSystems]

O-kay, I'm ready to be judged,

an older one.

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y5gpro&outx=600&noresize=1

[CyberDyneSystems]

A newer one;

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=yriy2b&outx=600&noresize=1

[Pete]

One of mine

http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photo2.php?n=HarrisHawk3.jpg

Fabulous, but then you knew that already ;)

[TobyR]

That's a great start... Although the colours in the background very much echo the colours and tonality of the subject that it's hard to settle on what to look at (so maybe angling the background to be more green than red would be better here).

Thanks for the help Pete. I'll be better armed to tackle things next time. I must admit I was a little confused as to just what bokeh meant until tonight. All is clear now though.

[Randy1213]

O-kay, I'm ready to be judged,

an older one.

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y5gpro&outx=600&noresize=1

Beautiful pic, Cyberdine. (As is the lioness) This looks like some kind of bird that hovers while hunting. What kind of bird is this?

[_aravena]

Looks like it's falling asleep. Beautiful shot though.

[Rachellebee27]

thoughts on this one?

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa193/mommy2_2monkeys/800IMG_2301.jpg

[Permagrin]

so Pete, here's one I'd be interested in your comments on this...bad (because it's busy) or good (because of the hummer bokeh)

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/167223219_r6eHY-L.jpg

[Pete]

How about this one?

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/photos/235829188_KbQDu-L.jpg

That's very good. Maybe a little tightly cropped, but nice....

[Pete]

Here is one from this past weekend.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2270754436_45e75a1348_o.jpg

Cute shot, a darker background would have "popped" this more, I feel...

[Jim G]

Alright, I'll play.. here's my contribution:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2270770326_ae7907d4c7_o.jpg

[Pete]

Awesome! My fav bird. Blakc caped chickadee.

flying spider!!! Major cropped seeing how I don't have a macro, but I like it since it's all I'll get till I get a macro. Ugh...
http://a737.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/38/l_3be23d6658143188461cdd39cf9289a8.jpg

I actually got injured taking this shot. not badly, but pretty seriously scraped up my leg. Don't ask, but I did have to leave immediately to find some bandages before I bleed everywhere.
http://a154.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/81/l_5b137baf583a31e374b933faa4e44a89.jpg

Both shots are nice. The top one has bright highlights in the background which detracts from the image as a whole. The second image is better balanced tone-wise. Both images suffer from being too centred. I can see why you've done it (Centre AF point), but there's no reason why you can't crop the image for a more pleasing compositon.

[Pete]

So Pete, you got tired of trying to explain BOKEH on the bokeh thread?! I finally unsubscribed as 95% of the photos are not examples of creamy bokeh but rather DOF. Ilike your rating system :)

Come On Folks... Nice BOKEH

Basically, yes. :D

Here's some bokeh I like:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/rwg_bucket/Drahonflysharp.jpg

Very good. The subject is centered here, but in a very pleasing balanced way. The bokeh shows enough to place the dragonfly in it's environment.

[Pete]

Going through some old shots I found this:

http://images.fotopic.net/yhj8m5.jpg

Full size at:
http://alfox6648.fotopic.net/p29497793.html

Hmm.. I'm not too sure about this. A bit of a display of narrow DOF. If all the grass flower heads were in sharp focus, this could work. However, since only one flowerhead is in sharp focus, the impact is diminished. Sorry, this doesn't work for me.

[Pete]

Thanks for the look, i know they are off a bit, I just started shooting in difficult low light situations so I am getting ramped up on that. I'lll keep plugging away.

Yeah, it's difficult when the AF won't lock on properly. Try going old-school and turning to manual focusing.

[Pete]

O-kay, I'm ready to be judged,

an older one.

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y5gpro&outx=600&noresize=1

Very good. This is a great example of the bokeh placing the subject in it's environment. The two large spots in the top right are a little distracting, however.

Good arrangement too, getting the bird on the third.

[Pete]

A newer one;

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=yriy2b&outx=600&noresize=1

A lovely portrait, although the lion's face looks to be very centred; another crop may help the composition here. The bokeh here is a little odd, having that strange dark line in the right. Linear artifacts in bokeh should really compliment the subject, not detract from it.

[Pete]

A newer one;

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=yriy2b&outx=600&noresize=1

A lovely portrait, although the lion's face looks to be very centred; another crop may help the composition here. The bokeh here is a little odd, having that strange dark line in the right. Linear artifacts in bokeh should really compliment the subject, not detract from it.

[Pete]

thoughts on this one?

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa193/mommy2_2monkeys/800IMG_2301.jpg

It's a lovely, intimate shot. Technically wise, it's a shame that the baby's whole head isn't in focus. Changing the angle to be more face-on would help to get all of the face in focus at one time, allowing a deeper connection with the subject.

The green background helps to reinforce the idea that this is taken in hospital.

[Pete]

so Pete, here's one I'd be interested in your comments on this...bad (because it's busy) or good (because of the hummer bokeh)

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/167223219_r6eHY-L.jpg

It's good. However, to my mind there's a triangle of interest between the in focus hummer, the blown highlight top centre, and the blurred hummer. Had the highlight not been there, it would have been more balanced.

A nice shot though.

[Pete]

Alright, I'll play.. here's my contribution:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2270770326_ae7907d4c7_o.jpg

Excellent. Usually those bright highlights would be distracting, but in this case it adds. It looks as though the hood ornament is flying out of the light. Great composition here.

The other background circles and colours also add to the composition, enhancing the high gloss of the cars in the background.

I like this one a great deal.

[Jim G]

Excellent. Usually those bright highlights would be distracting, but in this case it adds. It looks as though the hood ornament is flying out of the light. Great composition here.

The other background circles and colours also add to the composition, enhancing the high gloss of the cars in the background.

I like this one a great deal.

thanks :)

I actually did a bokeh comparison with this one.. same aperture (with this second shot it's one down from max, though, hence the nastier OOF highlights), different FL:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2347/2270770038_f70231cb48_o.jpg


Nowhere near as nice!

[Pete]

Good comparison, Jim.

[Thelonius]

Hmm.. I'm not too sure about this. A bit of a display of narrow DOF. If all the grass flower heads were in sharp focus, this could work. However, since only one flowerhead is in sharp focus, the impact is diminished. Sorry, this doesn't work for me.

Sincere thanks for the critique :)

[Pete]

Sincere thanks for the critique :)

Not a problem at all... :D

Hope you don't take offense at all, not my intent at all. I'm just here to pass my own personal opinion, which in no way makes me an expert in the field.

[Perry Ge]

Ok, I'll play. Let 'er rip.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2370/2153773011_601916a107.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/perryge/2153773011/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/2153772541_49a1124a10.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/perryge/2153772541/)

[Pete]

Ok, I'll play. Let 'er rip.





Ok.

The first one is nice, but a clear indicator of the problems of exposing for small objects with bright backgrounds. You've only just managed to keep detail in the bid, but not a whole lot. Post processing might help as long as there's not too much noise. A darker background would have probably helped you out here.

The second is nice also, but tightly cropped to the front of the bird, try giving it more space to move into (see http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos/large/20080221_APER2071.jpg for an example).

The quality of the bokeh in the second is nice though. You'll notice however that I'm judging the shots here as a whole and not simply giving judgment of the bokeh. Bokeh is used to enhance a good shot. We've seen some excellent examples so far.

[Perry Ge]

Ok.

The first one is nice, but a clear indicator of the problems of exposing for small objects with bright backgrounds. You've only just managed to keep detail in the bid, but not a whole lot. Post processing might help as long as there's not too much noise. A darker background would have probably helped you out here.

The second is nice also, but tightly cropped to the front of the bird, try giving it more space to move into (see http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos/large/20080221_APER2071.jpg for an example).

The quality of the bokeh in the second is nice though. You'll notice however that I'm judging the shots here as a whole and not simply giving judgment of the bokeh. Bokeh is used to enhance a good shot. We've seen some excellent examples so far.

Thanks for the critique! These were taken a little while back.

I know the exifs aren't intact here, but clicking the photos takes you to flickr, where there is exif in place.

I shoot everything in M, so it wasn't background having an effect on the metering in the first shot, it was me. I was trying to keep my shutter speed at 1/250, and I had the aperture at f/8 on my old 70-300 IS, f/5.6 was just...soft. It was tough because the sun was setting, and I had my ISO set at 800 already; I guess I should've been more daring with the exposure and cranked that ISO or slowed the SS a bit more.

The second - I fully agree with you - I actually messed up the framing because I was using a T-Con, so I was busy manual focusing and had to be quick before the sparrow flew off. There was more space behind it to crop off than in front of it.

Gotta practice my birding technique. It's a real change from my usual landscapes and portraits!

Really good insights on this thread regarding the difference between bokeh and depth of field.

[monty28428]

Ok Pete seeing how you are volunteering your critique!

1/125, f 5.6, ISO 1600

[Blast]

I'll try, with a point & shoot no less

Harry

[Pete]

Ok Pete seeing how you are volunteering your critique!

1/125, f 5.6, ISO 1600

Very nice indeed. I think a touch oversharpened, but very nicely taken.

[Pete]

I'll try, with a point & shoot no less

Harry

Looks nice, considering a P&S (they can be forced into giving nice blurred backgrounds, especially in Macro mode.

It's always a worry with Macro shots that the subject is invariably dead centre in the shot. Consider cropping this one to a more pleasing composition (biased toward the top right in this case would look fine).

A nice stab, goes to shot P&S can produce nice results in the right hands.

[monty28428]

Very nice indeed. I think a touch oversharpened, but very nicely taken.

Thanks Pete - and I agree with the sharpening (one of many things I have trouble with...)

[Pete]

Thanks Pete - and I agree with the sharpening (one of many things I have trouble with...)

It's easy to overdo. When you start seeing white outlines around things and the "halo" effect, you know you've gone too far. Less is sometimes more.

[Flo]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/birds/Eagles%20and%20Birds/ycsf.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/colors/yard/dbug.jpg

Either of these Pete?

[Pete]

Hi Gail. I like the second one although it's a touch soft.

The first one is also nice (if just a little off-level). I'm not sure about the bokeh on that one - maybe it's suffered in the jpg compression, or maybe it's noise - it just looks pixellated to me.

Or it could be over sharpened. Did you sharpen it?

[Flo]

Most likely the sharp.for sure...
Second, high noon sun..:oops:

[Flo]

How about this one....I really never paid attention to DOF ( a good blurry one.lol.and bokeh)http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/flowersfish/flyrose.jpg

[Pete]

Gail, that rose is resplendant. Very good job on that one.

[Flo]

:oops: Thanks

[Rachellebee27]

Thanks Pete, I agree about the focus of the head.

[CyberDyneSystems]

One more and then I will stop, not much of a subject here to "distract" you from the bokeh :lol:

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=yisrcj&outx=600&noresize=1

[Pete]

One more and then I will stop, not much of a subject here to "distract" you from the bokeh :lol:

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=yisrcj&outx=600&noresize=1

Snigger... That's ok Jake. That shot is exceptional, of course.

[Flo]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/Pipers/gh.jpg?

[mike93lx]

http://mikerodgers.smugmug.com/photos/247579681_rNUNa-XL.jpg

not the best background but my 50 f1.8 at least made it blend a bit

[mikerault]

How is this?

[mikerault]

And this one...

[airfrogusmc]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_6597.jpg

[schmoelzel]

This is a bit of an off-shoot from the Bokeh thread in the lens section here.

Now. To me, bokeh is the art of using a blurred background to provide a pleasing contrast to the subject. In effect, the subject should be isolated away from the background and "pop".

So, post your best candidates here and I'll pass my subjective and artistic judgment on them all.

Pete, I think you may be a little confused as to your understanding of what the term bokeh refers to; that is, it decribes the quality of the out-of-focus highlights in the background of any particular shot. It actually has nothing to do with how blurred that background is..........subject isolation is accomplished through various factors. A blurred background can be accomplished through using a telephoto lens and having a distance between the subject and it's background. If the subject is far enough removed from its background, the background will be blurred (as long as you are focusing on the subject). This can be accomplished with even the most elementary of lenses........using a long telephoto lets one blur the background but doesn't always have pleasing bokeh. Again, as you mentioned, it is purely subjective. What works for one viewer can be dreadful to another.

[Flo]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/River%20Rock/IMG_0134.jpg

Taken with a P&S.

[mikerault]

How about this...:) Caused by too many filters...I call it Psycho Flower

[Sorarse]

Not taken for 'Bokeh' (which is a term I detest, having been mangled from the original Japanese) but it probably fits the bill.

http://www.88qv.com/net/088.jpg

[Flo]

Derek, that is one sweet shot.

[Roy Mathers]

Pete, I think you may be a little confused as to your understanding of what the term bokeh refers to; that is, it decribes the quality of the out-of-focus highlights in the background of any particular shot. It actually has nothing to do with how blurred that background is..........subject isolation is accomplished through various factors. A blurred background can be accomplished through using a telephoto lens and having a distance between the subject and it's background. If the subject is far enough removed from its background, the background will be blurred (as long as you are focusing on the subject). This can be accomplished with even the most elementary of lenses........using a long telephoto lets one blur the background but doesn't always have pleasing bokeh. Again, as you mentioned, it is purely subjective. What works for one viewer can be dreadful to another.

I was going to say a similar thing. I think there's some confusion in this thread - I was always under the impression that bokeh (and I don't much like this overused word) is an attribute of the lens and not the photographer. It often gets confused with 'out of focus' or 'blurred'.

[Flo]

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

It does say that the term means blur.....and that it is created by the lens.

[Roy Mathers]

Hi Gail. That was exactly my point. There is no point in giving a critique to a photograph as if it's something that the photographer has or has not achieved. Bokeh is purely an attribute of the lens; what Pete is, in fact, commenting on is DOF or background blur.

[Flo]

Agreed.now that I have read all about it.lol.otherwise I would have not known the difference.

[skywalkerbeth]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2302361741_b97be32cda.jpg

On a hike this past weekend. Manassas Battlefield. My friends are in front of the camera, but rather blurred out.

Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 100

[TaCo]

C&C me please. :)

[Pete]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/Pipers/gh.jpg?

This is good also. Shows placement quite well. The background is busy, but you know that it's a pebble beach.

[Pete]

http://mikerodgers.smugmug.com/photos/247579681_rNUNa-XL.jpg

not the best background but my 50 f1.8 at least made it blend a bit

Very nice sharp shot of the lizard, and very well exposed. You're right though, the background could have been better.

[skywalkerbeth]

How about this?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/2320270437_12f2a815ab.jpg

[Pete]

Pete, I think you may be a little confused as to your understanding of what the term bokeh refers to; that is, it decribes the quality of the out-of-focus highlights in the background of any particular shot. It actually has nothing to do with how blurred that background is..........subject isolation is accomplished through various factors. A blurred background can be accomplished through using a telephoto lens and having a distance between the subject and it's background. If the subject is far enough removed from its background, the background will be blurred (as long as you are focusing on the subject). This can be accomplished with even the most elementary of lenses........using a long telephoto lets one blur the background but doesn't always have pleasing bokeh. Again, as you mentioned, it is purely subjective. What works for one viewer can be dreadful to another.

I completely agree with you on this one. You'll notice that most of my critique of the shots posted here have been about the shot as a whole. Yes, bokeh has a quality that's completely unconnected to the amount of blur. I'm interested in here is isolation of the subject, but also looking for the placement of the subject in it's environment. The example CDS posted of the bird flying over the lake with the reeds behind is a good example of this. I'm also mindful of the fact that bokeh doesn't have to be blurred to oblivion to be "good".

[Pete]

How is this?

Nice, but would be better with a little more contrast/focus on the spider. The background is a little confusing here. But nice overall.

[Pete]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_6597.jpg

This is perfect. Great subject and placement of the background as well. She's a little wide eyed through :D

I love it though.

[Pete]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/River%20Rock/IMG_0134.jpg

Taken with a P&S.
Very nice. Especially for a P&S. Macro mode, I assume?

[Pete]

How about this...:) Caused by too many filters...I call it Psycho Flower

You appear to be suffering from focus/camera shake issues, Mike.

[mikerault]

Well...I was a bit too close and bent over...it was the first time out with the camera about 2 years ago...:)

Still...it has a 60's psychodelic kind of feel...not that I ever inhaled...

Mike

[Flo]

Pete, that was with the PS A80... 1/1000:eek: f 2.8

[dilorenzo1954]

I think I'm getting better at this...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/2336051235_00cdd9b21c_o_d.jpg

[airfrogusmc]

I think I'm getting better at this...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/2336051235_00cdd9b21c_o_d.jpg

I'd say... VERY NICE ED...

[labbai]

Best bokeh i've seen was some Nikon 50mm f 1.2 or something. back in mid' seventies. Wide open it was...bokeh... or just blurry. Minolta's lenses were good as hell back then, too.

[Pasquatch]

Here are 2 of mine - I hope they fit the bill




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/Pasquatch/Bokeh.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/Pasquatch/whiteflowers.jpg

[rtronick]

Here's one

http://rtronick.smugmug.com/photos/92059795_nj8QY-L.jpg

Randy T

[Miniflash]

Here is one I am fond of ~
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/miniflash_2006/flowers/oregonnmini022.jpg

[ishida]

Here's one

http://rtronick.smugmug.com/photos/92059795_nj8QY-L.jpg

Randy T

WOW, that's cool:eek: It looks like a giant spider!

[ishida]

Cacti from a nearby botanical garden.

[dilorenzo1954]

From this past Saturday...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2377512695_ffc7010e3b_o_d.jpg

[marcochi?]

This good or bad bokeh? Bee slightly off focus because suddenly yumped off the flower...

[Miniflash]

Here is one from this fall ~

[dilorenzo1954]

Nice Deb!

One from this past weekend...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2390382969_e7ab677b3d_o_d.jpg

[Optic]

http://images23.fotki.com/v808/photos/1/1242644/6109087/Churchfinal-vi.jpg

[trailrider]

http://www.caughtyoursmile.com/photos/276183298_wnSpK-L-1.jpg

[Miniflash]

here is a older one ~
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/miniflash_2006/animals/IMG_9907.jpg

[Tom Reichner]

Bokeh Bird

[ricero]

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/_lms/two.jpg
tiny flowers i found while walking to our building at bcit

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/_lms/one.jpg
vpl, central library

[Tom Reichner]

oh, that book shot is cool!

[skywalkerbeth]

Tom, that is stunning.

Like the books, too.

[Rachellebee27]

I like the book shot too, I'm off to the library with my camera, LOL! I want one for my wall! Hehe!

[irispatch]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/irispatch/flowerandbutterfly22-1.jpg


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/irispatch/GBHheadstudy-1.jpg

[dilorenzo1954]

Nice^^^

From this past fall

5D
24-105mm @ f/4

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3298494578_4881778bc3_b_d.jpg

[Back288]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/Back288/Pets/IMG_9127esc.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/Back288/Miscellaneous/_MG_7858esc.jpg

[crittercreekminis]

http://www.crittercreek.com/crittercreeknew/missyandmomma/IMAG000.JPG

[Milla]

I've posted this one a few times on this board. I'm sorry. I just really love this shot and I'm very proud of it.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8xH70MMrUcg/SyqPSDIvy8I/AAAAAAAAA30/qDkBNWujlk8/s640/8.jpg

Here is another:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8xH70MMrUcg/SvG-RHvcnnI/AAAAAAAAAv8/X-_9ufMGrec/s640/2.jpg

[360°]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4195516463_9a0d745bf4_b.jpg

[jessicamedwards]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83309695@N00/4208890886/

[Radders]

I didn't know what 'BOKEH' was until I joined this forum!

and this was taken before hand, Hope you like.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/4022141971_4a8935ae99_b.jpg

[BCald7]

This is the best I have so far. I'm brand new to DSLR cameras and this was my first outing.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/4127061495_4dc21c035c_b.jpg

[Doutchie]

Nice shots everyone. I am working on getting better at bokeh. Here is one that I like.

[bjolly]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4258305230_6877c6f965.jpg

[bjolly]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/4137107123_6e16d5ce48.jpg

[airfrogusmc]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_9744-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_0061.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_0037-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_7610.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_7614.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_9967.jpg

[airbutchie]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4231980906_11921f5824_b.jpg

- airbutchie

[bjolly]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4266400629_56d666acf2.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4266976629_434733d73a.jpg

[Radders]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3137212382_d6b6d90ec9_b.jpg

[bjolly]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4282947827_ebf38be7a4_b.jpg

[TeenPhotog]

good
or bad?
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/009/7/3/Backyard_by_abram1.jpg

[blsvlo]

this was taken my 2nd day with my new camera... Does this work?

[xairsoft808x]

http://chadasato.smugmug.com/Personal/Noahs-1st-Birthday/Noahs1stBirthday101/768681467_RN7A3-L.jpg

[athrasher]

This is one of the first pictures I took after getting the 50mm f/1.8, but I like it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4176974315_5316c27f3f_b.jpg

[airbutchie]

Sunglasses bokeh...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4276983571_18683088f2_b.jpg

- airbutchie

[ndlaw]

A tulip followed by a spider hanging by an invisible thread!

[ndlaw]

Two water drip pictures.

[b00mALJA]

Two water drip pictures.

What settings did you use? :)

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2009/361/d/0/after_rain__by_aaaaalja.jpg

[airbutchie]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/4309816124_194cfb31fe_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4309079845_483a1991c7_b.jpg

- airbutchie

[thatkatmat]

I kinda like this bokeh in B&W
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3764815765_22564d82a9_b.jpg

[elysium]

One from me

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3579677118_7a2b0cfe7b.jpg

[dilorenzo1954]

One from Wednesday. Checking out the newly repaired 35L wide open. I'd say it's okay for being in 5 pieces 2weeks earlier...


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4313879454_aefaf254e2_b_d.jpg

[airfrogusmc]

I really like that Ed
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_1796.jpg

[Likwid]

Not as drastic as I normally like....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4314402681_a86689e5f1.jpg

[djkevin314]

How's this
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh110/djkevin314/IMG_1885-1.jpg

[mayt444]

Flicker posing.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu77/mayt444/fl11_filteredcopyweb.jpg

[thatkatmat]

This is really cool Ed...What the he!! is it?


One from Wednesday. Checking out the newly repaired 35L wide open. I'd say it's okay for being in 5 pieces 2weeks earlier...


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4313879454_aefaf254e2_b_d.jpg

[bjolly]

One from Wednesday. Checking out the newly repaired 35L wide open. I'd say it's okay for being in 5 pieces 2weeks earlier...


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4313879454_aefaf254e2_b_d.jpg
Really cool idea! You inspired this picture of mine:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4324726882_f9a18e8c90_b.jpg