Bokeh -post your best pls

[djharmonix]

if you put in all this effort and time wouldnt you want to take a picture of a more attractive subject? just my 2 cents.

[mehran.mo]

This is just a test, I wanna make sure I have it down properly so that when I get to the real subjects I don't mess it up.

[djharmonix]

This is just a test, I wanna make sure I have it down properly so that when I get to the real subjects I don't mess it up.

ok! well it seems like you got it very right!

you cant even tell from this resolution that its a stiched up picture.

[izthistaken]

How's this? Messing around with a watermark too.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3590514488_c0760f82e5_o.jpg

[mehran.mo]

it's got bokeh alright...

[izthistaken]

Good....is there more? Watermark sucks?

[stepineden]

A little more bokeh for today, the 70-200 again.

[Mr. Clean]

business end of things...

[freo]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/3535520830_d03334c700.jpg?v=0

[izthistaken]

^ That's awesome!

[KenjiS]

business end of things...

Holy %&%@ nice

[single_track]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/3535520830_d03334c700.jpg?v=0

Great image. Can we see a bigger version?

[Cheerdad]

My daughter's high school ring. 135@2

[kandyredcoi]

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v652/80/9/1518132283/n1518132283_30111235_3697450.jpg

[freo]

Thanks alot :).
Sorry thats as big as I upload. Im overprotective of my pics :p i know its silly.

[M3Rocket]

A couple of people shots:

#1.
http://iluk.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p855371423-5.jpg


#2.
http://iluk.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p447799105-4.jpg

[darosk]

http://www.daroskoding.com/photos/429716603_2Bybv-L-1.jpg

Smooth green.

[mehran.mo]

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs45/f/2009/154/d/d/Murano_Vaso_by_DonBertone.jpg

[yorkiemom]

One from me...late but I'm new to the forum. Practicing with my Canon EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens.

Just the top of an old iron fence in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3595315640_5a9419382a.jpg

[olelovold]

Here's one I took today with the 85mm f/1.8 wide open.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3595694020_b2fa329017_o.jpg

[izthistaken]

My meh attempt.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3592849872_ea1a3d33e1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3592846590_4508ecd36c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/3591901509_d97936da41_b.jpg

[hlaricca]

Ok, the Bokeh is not the best, smoothest, most interesting ever. But, I thought the subject matter was interesting enough to post. (70-200 f/4L USM + kenko 1.4x @ 280mm f/5.6)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3590193449_c526e53f18_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/laricca/3590193449/)

[jasongraaf]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/3276308887_0a6d69aecb.jpg

[good_boy]

5DII-85II F1.2

http://www.imagehost.ir/files/hd8x08fjlpaniohaz96w.jpg
.

[izthistaken]

Very nice shot^!

[airfrogusmc]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_9756.jpg

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

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_9712.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_9952.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_0306.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_96892.jpg

[VisualOddity]

Here are 2 of mine from recently that I like a lot...
Canon 30D + 70-200 f/4L...





http://visualoddity.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sunflower-0001-090525.jpg



http://visualoddity.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sunflower-0002-090525.jpg

[pridash]

Couple from me using the 100mm macro: -

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3598416676_203108048b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/3589698317_b83a1acba2_o.jpg

[olelovold]

One from yesterday.

[MasterFX]

Here's mine

[EcoRick]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/EcoRick/Bokehexample-1.jpg

[wimg]

Just a quickie, only resized for the web.

50L plus 25 mm extension tube at F/8 on 5D II iso 1600, handheld :D.

I really like the little guy, who seems to be contemplating whether to jump or not :D.

Kind regards, Wim

[wimg]

Another one, similar conditions, but at F/2, for some serious bokeh. Some contrast and curves, and resized, no additional sharpening.

Kind regards, Wim

[luvsadog2]

Just a quickie, only resized for the web.

50L plus 25 mm extension tube at F/8 on 5D II iso 1600, handheld :D.

I really like the little guy, who seems to be contemplating whether to jump or not :D.

Kind regards, Wim

Wimg.. #1 is an awesome shot, but I like both versions .. beautiful! Carla

[airfrogusmc]

Another one, similar conditions, but at F/2, for some serious bokeh. Some contrast and curves, and resized, no additional sharpening.

Kind regards, Wim

Really nice Wim....

[airfrogusmc]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_9607.jpg

[Hand_of_Cod]

Another one, similar conditions, but at F/2, for some serious bokeh. Some contrast and curves, and resized, no additional sharpening.

Kind regards, Wim

That is stunning!

[Akire]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/3054911074_d503d1b528.jpg

Taken with the trusty 28-135 at f5.6 :)

[Spacemunkie]

Pentax SMC M 50 1.7:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/3602092707_675b055c7e_o.jpg

[wimg]

Wimg.. #1 is an awesome shot, but I like both versions .. beautiful! Carla

Really nice Wim....

That is stunning!
Thank you Carla, Allen, and Hand_of_Cod!

I just love that 50L :D.

Kind regards, Wim

[downhillnews]

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k206/downhillnews/_MG_0300.jpg

[Headbone]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/skully70/IMG_0007-7.jpg

[wimg]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/skully70/IMG_0007-7.jpg
Ah, Frangipani, I miss those!

Used to have them in my garden in Jo'burg, but back here they don't grow too well :D.

Do you have any pinkish ones? :D

Kind regards, Wim

[Headbone]

Ah, Frangipani, I miss those!

Used to have them in my garden in Jo'burg, but back here they don't grow too well :D.

Do you have any pinkish ones? :D

Kind regards, Wim

Hi Wim. No only have these yellow Frangi's here in Pretoria.

Ryan

[hania]

1: deer, Arran Scotland 70-200 2.8 Is, 4.5, 1/50, iso 800 hand held
2: barbary ape, monkey park, staffordshire, Uk
70-200 + 1.4TC, 4.5, 1/250, iso 1000 hand held

[kandyredcoi]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/nature%20landscapes/IMG_7692.jpg

[JoeyinVT]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3601012783_d90854aaac_b.jpg

[Vndcatr]

50D , 70-200Sigma F2.8
Iso:100... Shutter: 1/1000s... F-Stop: F/2.8... Focal Length: 200mm
http://www.sosickphotography.com/photos/482482854_79reQ-L.jpg


50D , 70-200Sigma F2.8
Iso:100... Shutter: 1/1000s... F-Stop: F/2.8... Focal Length: 200mm
http://www.sosickphotography.com/photos/482482901_2A2MP-L.jpg

[wimg]

Another one. 70-200 F/4L IS at 200 mm, extension tube 12 mm, F/11. Exposure correction, resized.

Kind regards, Wim

[wimg]

And another, completely different :D. 70-200 F/4L IS at 200 mm plus extension tube 12 mm and extender, F/13, 1/40s :D. Curves, exposure correction, resized for web.

Kind regards, Wim

P.S.: did apply some sharpening, USM, 150 % 1.4 pixels - I guess the shutter speed was a little slow after all :D

[sharrowm]

Canon 100mm Macro:

http://www.roundtableonline.com/marcstuff/evelynsmacros/IMG_6014.JPG

[KinoC]

I took this one while in vacation...

[Old Coot]

Here is my little guy-

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/Cooter0519/family/IMG_6355.jpg

[gopack471]

This one's from under our badly in need of paint picnic table.
Taken with the Sigma 70-200 II
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s44/tpodell140/IMG_1426.jpg

[Celestron]

A Painted Pony with a 70-200mm f/4L USM . 163mm ,f/4 , 1/60th , 400 ISO , Flash Mode .

[lp88]

Not quite as nice as some of the recent shots posted in this thread, but here's some of mine:

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6318/91421350.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/937/62709204.jpg

Possibly a bit too much detail still in the detail of the second one to be bokeh but anywho...

[investorguy]

Not the best picture because the harsh sun gave me some issues w/ shadows, but the bokeh is great I think, especially how it scales.

http://www.pbase.com/investorguy/image/113508867.jpg

[luvsadog2]

A couple shots from today in the yard.

[kellieprinzel]

Posted has DOF test before, but here you go...

http://home.pacbell.net/coolbit/DOFtest.jpg


just lovely.

[BenjaminNg]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3592236776_a88364a67a_b.jpg

[stepineden]

Some bee bokeh from today. The bees were going nuts on this flower, there were always 2-5 inside literally rolling around! f/7.1 1/2500s ISO 800

[chrisa]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3598181220_09b4bb1897_o.jpg

[stepineden]

Bee Bokeh again. I really like this. Makes me think of " Bogies at 1 o'clock ".

[KinoC]

That Flamingo looks awsome! Great shot!
KC

[Mark-Of-Cain]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3470140409_bf76af7390_o.jpg

[stepineden]

this is what was going on inside the flower, photo is cropped

[jameschen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3592236776_a88364a67a_b.jpg

Nice work Benjanim,
Lovely background. Where is taken?

[jameschen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3470140409_bf76af7390_o.jpg


Wicked! Outstanding work.

[sangosimo]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3590275007_3e60cc4320_b.jpg

even I can milk cool colors out of the kit

[Headbone]

My 15 year old Pixie.
He had just woken up from sleeping in a spot of sun and walked outside.
Not the sharpest pic, but the bokeh looks good to me.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/skully70/IMG_0800.jpg
1000D, 50mm, f/1.8, ISO 400, 1/200

[timecut]

canon 85mm at f2.0 iso 800

[ADHD426]

Here is my favorite:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3361230856_40927a86ce_b.jpg

[pridash]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3470140409_bf76af7390_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3592236776_a88364a67a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3590275007_3e60cc4320_b.jpg

even I can milk cool colors out of the kit

Cool shots!

[ahamster]

Nice work Benjanim,
Lovely background. Where is taken?
ditto, where was this taken?

[BenjaminNg]

Hey guys,

It's taken in Singapore.

[SnoDork]

Playing with Buddies 85mm @ f/1.8 + my 40D

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/m_baylon/JWs/pic05.jpg

My 50mm f/1.8 MkI + 40D

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/m_baylon/JWs/pic06.jpg

[stepineden]

The wind made getting focus near impossible, but I do like the effect.

[briancmo]

monkeyface!

[kandyredcoi]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/my%20puppies/IMG_9301.jpg

[Menelaus]

Old image from my 5 megapixel Powershot

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2136601519_5db0f168d6_b.jpg

[Menelaus]

How about some foreground bokeh?

http://scottryanphotography.smugmug.com/photos/513179360_KczqJ-XL.jpg

[Cotmweasel]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3618060449_00c9d269c1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/3618877938_321fa632a4_b.jpg

[jdlloyd67]

A random, boring weed can't detract from some creamy bokeh...

http://www.dldigitalimages.com/misc/TheWeed_sm.jpg

[ShadowGLI]

dunno if its my best but who doesn't love Jell-o... lol

http://ryangravelle.smugmug.com/photos/531801552_Thkan-L.jpg

and actually this is a personal favorite of mine..

http://ryangravelle.smugmug.com/photos/462614568_9CnCL-L.jpg

[pridash]

With 100mm macro: -

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3604071099_9107aa08d6_o.jpg

[Sp2Pilot]

2nd day I had my camera. 450D with kit lens
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r73/sp2pilot/IMG_0123.jpg

[WRXTACY]

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9851/dandelion3.jpg

[Sp2Pilot]

^^^ That is NICE!!

[WRXTACY]

Thank you...I love my little Rebel XT with the 100mm Macro lens. A great combination, might not be the best, but im just a hobbiest.

[iseecanonpeople]

not the best but I tried...

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/28/47/25367482/1_857447110l.jpg

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/28/47/25367482/1_495826764l.jpg

[Salma]

I love the bokeh on this.

http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/GFX-Kuri/MeerkatBack.jpg

[tonylong]

Pretty cool pose you caught there, Salma!

[Salma]

Thanks Tony, there's a really funny one in here http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=709139 :lol:

[MaliCali]

I dont feel like this is the best bokeh representation ive ever taken. but i just love how well it turned out when factoring how incredibly dark it was in that venue. and yes her eyes are OOF, i was going for her tongue sticking out ;)

50mm @ f1.4, 1/80 SS and 1000 ISO

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3446805792_8009f498d3_b.jpg

[airfrogusmc]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_0785.jpg

[anglefire]

I hired a 300mm f2.8 IS this weekend.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3624615408_c0d78da27e_o.jpg

[izthistaken]

^Wow, that's an awesome shot.

[SnoDork]

40d + 24-70mm

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/m_baylon/Photog/ff01.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/m_baylon/Photog/ff02.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/m_baylon/Photog/ff03.jpg

[mckenzy]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rVseKLaBS_0/SeXlOy1vxTI/AAAAAAAAQag/LYczQ8CjI64/s912/IMG_6644.JPG

[Jman13]

More Sigma 50 f/1.4 bokeh magic:

Both are at f/1.4:

http://www.jordansteele.com/forumlinks/chloe_blocktower.jpg

http://www.jordansteele.com/forumlinks/chloe_aquarium.jpg

[erixon]

135L straight out of the Camera.
http://hem.bredband.net/b122388/photo/Oscar_katt.jpg

.

[hlaricca]

Here are a couple more (70-200 f/4L + kenko 1.4x). The bokeh is interesting because there is a fence in the background. Click on the images if you want to see larger versions.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3638751408_6aa9b1b705.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/laricca/3638751408/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3638751248_268509b57c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/laricca/3638751248/)

[hngu7721]

fantastic capture! smooth and creamy; like buttah

I hired a 300mm f2.8 IS this weekend.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3624615408_c0d78da27e_o.jpg

[SpudGT]

I recently acquired a 70-200 2.8 lens to take pictures of my daughters soccer games ... I was blown away by the Bokeh that was possible:

[stu46]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3458503672_83b6fb4369_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stu46/3458503672/sizes/o/)

[kandyredcoi]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/family/IMG_0277.jpg

[labbai]

Yesterday's bokeh
374089
EOS 5D with Zeiss Planar 1,4/50 ZE wide open. :rolleyes:

[Cotmweasel]

Yesterday's bokeh
374089
EOS 5D with Zeiss Planar 1,4/50 ZE wide open. :rolleyes:

lol, When I saw the photo I was thinking "That doesn't look like canon glass. looks kind of like my CZ. then it was a Zeiss lens. I love them XD

[hlaricca]

Model Bokeh, Outdoor fashion event (70-200 f/4L USM - low light)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3643100472_03dbf8257c_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/laricca/3643100472/)

[OC Zoom]

Most of the photos in this thread are excellent. I think though that some of the photos posted are not showing the most important thing, a sharp image in the foreground. What good does it do to show a blurry background if the subject is out of focus? That's the whole idea of good bokeh, to blur the background which causes the subject in the foreground to look "in focus" that gives that "pop". Is everyone else in agreement with me?

[single_track]

Most of the photos in this thread are excellent. I think though that some of the photos posted are not showing the most important thing, a sharp image in the foreground. What good does it do to show a blurry background if the subject is out of focus? That's the whole idea of good bokeh, to blur the background which causes the subject in the foreground to look "in focus" that gives that "pop". Is everyone else in agreement with me?

I am not in agreement. Nothing says the 'subject' must be in focus, although I agree that usually it is desired. More importantly, bokeh is not a blurry background. This is a common misconception and has been raised numerous times on this thread and others.

[Eagle]

I am not in agreement. Nothing says the 'subject' must be in focus, although I agree that usually it is desired. More importantly, bokeh is not a blurry background. This is a common misconception and has been raised numerous times on this thread and others.
....X2

[OC Zoom]

I am not in agreement. Nothing says the 'subject' must be in focus, although I agree that usually it is desired. More importantly, bokeh is not a blurry background. This is a common misconception and has been raised numerous times on this thread and others.

How then would you describe bokeh if you can't use the words blurry background or out of focus?
All of the shots submitted fit under this category. You can change a word or two to describe it but it still comes back the same. Sharp image with OOF background

[Dusty]

It's not simply blurry/oof background that makes for good bokeh.
It's the quality of the blur.
You can see a difference in the quality produced from certain lenses.
But any lens can produce oof/blurry backgrounds.

And no, you don't necessarily need the subject to be in focus to appreciate good bokeh.

My only wish in this thread, and I've said it before, is that people would state what lens was used with each of these photos.

[vladovg]

http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs49/i/2009/151/0/d/feiiiiii_by_vladovg.jpg


Helios 58-2 f-2

[deci]

Vladovg, That is a great pic :) My only wish in this thread, and I've said it before, is that people would state what lens was used with each of these photos.

+1 :)

[aviator.4.life]

I don't know if it's my best but here...
Canon 40D w/ 24-70mm
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s278/mini_fanatic/IMG_17772_filtered1.jpg

[single_track]

How then would you describe bokeh if you can't use the words blurry background or out of focus?
All of the shots submitted fit under this category. You can change a word or two to describe it but it still comes back the same. Sharp image with OOF background

Bokeh is not the blurry background, but rather the subjective apearance of point of light sources that apear in the background. These points of light apear as pleasing circles of light. A very high percentage of this thread is not representing bokeh. Many of these shots are representing subject separation with an OOF background.

Search this thread and you will see this raised before. No biggie, but this thread should be split into 'boken' and 'subject separation with OOF backgrounds'.

[wimg]

Bokeh is not the blurry background, but rather the subjective apearance of point of light sources that apear in the background. These points of light apear as pleasing circles of light. A very high percentage of this thread is not representing bokeh. Many of these shots are representing subject separation with an OOF background.

Search this thread and you will see this raised before. No biggie, but this thread should be split into 'boken' and 'subject separation with OOF backgrounds'.
Anything I have ever read about bokeh, doesn't conform to what you are saying, and any picture posted in this thread, based to what I have come across, can be interpreted as pictures which show bokeh.

Bokeh in itself just means out-of-focus-blur (as opposed to shake or movement blur). And in order to describe it, you'll need one or more adjectives, like pleasing, good, bad, creamy, etc. The rendering of specular highlights is just one of the aspects of bokeh, no more, no less.

Just for reference, a few links. Make for interesting reading, too :D.
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2009/01/what-is-bokeh.html
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/bokeh.shtml
http://bokehtests.com/Site/About_Bokeh.html
http://toothwalker.org/optics/bokeh.html

Kind regards, Wim

[OC Zoom]

Wim, Thanks for doing the research on my original comments. You have proven my point.:):)

[single_track]

Wim, Thanks for doing the research on my original comments. You have proven my point.:):)

** hangs head in shame **

Nice links. I guess I stand corrected. There are sources that state that bokeh is the highlights. But clearly the majority state that it is all the blur. In fact, many state it is incorrect to limit bokeh to just the highlights. Many sources say the highlights define the easiest way to evaluate or appreciate bokeh.

I have a hard copy book somewhere that clearly stated that bokeh is just the highlights. (I am looking for this now, for the interested.) I guess I read it in a book and for some reason, believed it to be accurate.

Here are a couple of sources that support my (now incorrect) claims but I must admit I had to dig around to find support.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh)
http://www.fact-archive.com/encyclopedia/Bokeh (http://www.fact-archive.com/encyclopedia/Bokeh)

Two points come to mind.

1. Boken, in Japanese, means blur (not blurred points of light). It also means 'fuzzy in the head" as in an older person losing their mind. :oops: I guess this is now me!

2. One source to supports my theory is http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm) so now I have completely changed my position. I found this just now while searching and it sealed the deal for me. :oops::oops::oops:

I apologize to you for my misinformation and confusion. Carry on with your wonderful, blurred, good-bokeh images.

[il Dottore]

Rather extreme bokeh... ;)
Canon 5DMkII + "SigmaLux" 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2835/img0041800.jpg

[airfrogusmc]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_1198.jpg

[Depth]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/3635213592_be60ea7f3e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3635213592/)

[izthistaken]

Those last two are awesome guys!

[10megapixel]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/laserbug/IMG_2942.jpg

[MJones]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3555678357_70d410f955_o.jpg

[Fut]

Just getting into this type of technique

[Garry Gibson]

Here's a little butterfly bokeh.....

[wimg]

** hangs head in shame **
No need to do so, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet.
Nice links. I guess I stand corrected. There are sources that state that bokeh is the highlights. But clearly the majority state that it is all the blur. In fact, many state it is incorrect to limit bokeh to just the highlights. Many sources say the highlights define the easiest way to evaluate or appreciate bokeh.
Yes, that is exactly it. Provided there are specular highlights in the picture. But those are just a subset of the total concept of bokeh or good bokeh.
I have a hard copy book somewhere that clearly stated that bokeh is just the highlights. (I am looking for this now, for the interested.) I guess I read it in a book and for some reason, believed it to be accurate.

Here are a couple of sources that support my (now incorrect) claims but I must admit I had to dig around to find support.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh
http://www.fact-archive.com/encyclopedia/Bokeh

Two points come to mind.

1. Boken, in Japanese, means blur (not blurred points of light). It also means 'fuzzy in the head" as in an older person losing their mind. I guess this is now me!

2. One source to supports my theory is http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm so now I have completely changed my position. I found this just now while searching and it sealed the deal for me.
The one thing I like about his article, is that KR mentions that diaphragm shape, or number of blades, does not define bokeh, it only defines the shape of the specular highlights.

It goes a little further than that, however, as angular diaphragms tend to aid in the rendering of out of focus areas in a blocky manner as well, although this is not universally true. Examples are OOF long and thin objects, like grass blades, corn stems, etc. Angular diaphragms may contribute to very angular and busy rendering of these shapes, like doubling of edges, etc., especially when they are in the foreground.

Do note that there is a difference in background blur and foreground blur as well, as indicated in one of the articles I quoted.
This becomes very clear with some lenses, where foreground blur is much more satisfying (IMO, it is personal after all), than with others. It is one of the reasons why I like the 50L so much. Its rendering of the OOF foreground is as pleasing as the background, where that of the 85L, f.e., is slightly (but only slightly) more blocky in the foreground .
I apologize to you for my misinformation and confusion. Carry on with your wonderful, blurred, good-bokeh images.
Thank you, for your very sportsmanlike attitude. I do hope you keep on joining in too. After all, specular highlights are part of the bokeh-scene too.

Kindest regards, Wim

[jcp2000]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3602331283_b47e874cd0.jpg

[GMCPhotographics]

** hangs head in shame **

2. One source to supports my theory is http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm) so now I have completely changed my position. I found this just now while searching and it sealed the deal for me. :oops::oops::oops:

I apologize to you for my misinformation and confusion. Carry on with your wonderful, blurred, good-bokeh images.


Ha! Ken Rockwell....and you think that his opinion is worth citing as a reliable source? Ken certainly stirs up debate, but as to where is abilities lay...I notice that he only has a single picture describing bad bokeh....but none showing what good bokeh looks like. Lots of meaningless paragraphs that aren't very helpfull or insightfull. I think that sums his comments quite well.

He seems to think that the shape of the aperture blades affects the Bokeh...but not if one is shooting wide open. In some cases they can make the Bokeh look a little agitated (eg the 50mm f1.4 bokeh is more agitated than the f1.2 L) but only when stopped down. Wide open, the bokeh should be quite smooth due to the shape of the internal optics....usually round.

[wimg]

Ha! Ken Rockwell....and you think that his opinion is worth citing as a reliable source? Ken certainly stirs up debate, but as to where is abilities lay...I notice that he only has a single picture describing bad bokeh....but none showing what good bokeh looks like. Lots of meaningless paragraphs that aren't very helpfull or insightfull. I think that sums his comments quite well.

He seems to think that the shape of the aperture blades affects the Bokeh...but not if one is shooting wide open. In some cases they can make the Bokeh look a little agitated (eg the 50mm f1.4 bokeh is more agitated than the f1.2 L) but only when stopped down. Wide open, the bokeh should be quite smooth due to the shape of the internal optics....usually round.
Hi Gareth,

Although that is true most of the time, i.e., roundness of specular OOF highlights when a lens is used wide open, and this is certainly true for the 50 F/1.8 and the 50 F/1.4, it is not necessarily true for other lenses. The actual optical design also contributes, quite strongly, and any internal mechanical components of which light may be reflected, including lens mount, focus mechanisms, etc., too. You can get really weird results, even when a lens is used wide open.

Kind regards, Wim

[Mnbruce]

http://imagesbybruce.smugmug.com/photos/362534140_sxkek-L.jpg

[airfrogusmc]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_1493.jpg

[dannygt]

200L 2.8 II @ 2.8

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3634792666_accb21f0e4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3633922333_3c71ae0ab4.jpg

[izthistaken]

#3 is just an awesome shot!

[Northern_wanderer]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3626374960_9fd2ed7a66.jpg

[dannygt]

#3 is just an awesome shot!

my chipmunk? :)

[izthistaken]

Yup! :)

[dannygt]

Yup! :)<

thanks :D

[mbell75]

Some great shot in here!

[airfrogusmc]

my chipmunk? :)

Color is bit off to green. ;) Easy fix....

In photoshop CS2 it gets better at about -80 magenta +17 blue.

[dannygt]

Color is bit off to green. ;) Easy fix....

In photoshop CS2 it gets better at about -80 magenta +17 blue.

Thank! but no thank, I made it that way, I didn't want perfect natural color,

and there is a leaf oof right on the chipmunk to. ;)

[Rx2photography]

Tamron 70-300
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3546777197_1dcb4ef14a.jpg

[mehran.mo]

http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs47/f/2009/172/0/9/Freedom_Is_Never_Free_by_DonBertone.jpg

[SlowBlink]

I forgot about this thread until a couple weeks ago. This is mint flavoured bokeh
http://www.robertgbrowne.com/images/protected/IMG_1281.jpg

[cainey]

Canon 50mm 1.8
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3216017027_c9ff304f51.jpg
Canon 18-55mm
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/2541250821_03bb41578b.jpg

[Celestron]

Heres one more for the road . 70-200mm f/4L , monopod .

[airfrogusmc]

Thank! but no thank, I made it that way, I didn't want perfect natural color,

and there is a leaf oof right on the chipmunk to. ;)

But his white fur is green:confused: Plus the way the warmer brown tones would play off of the green but hey that just me.