Bokeh -post your best pls

stepineden wrote in post #7859836
I don't see this shot as having any real bokeh. There is out of focus, blurriness, but none of it adds in a pleasing way to enhance the main subject. It might create another level of interest or create a story so to speak but I don't see it as adding to the beauty of the photograph. It is that effect, almost like someone took a paintbrush to the photo
that I personally respond to, the "oooohhh" effect..

Hey, step.. I like the shot very much .. I think it works very well.

I'm not sure if my photo qualifies for bokeh either, but I think it's worthy of posting here

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I only wish I had enough time to look at all the pages in this thread. Thanks for the inspiration.

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Something backwards.

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Luvsadog2, I think I have seen most of the photos you have posted and I'm having trouble thinking of any that weren't worthy. Enjoyed them all actually! The only photo on this thread that left me scratching my head (think it was here) was a brick/stone wall slightly out of focus, and it probably had its place. I'm just trying to say that I think there is a separation at some point between effective use of oof in a photo and it becoming bokeh. Is that a personal preference decision or is there a technical guide line.
Just kinda wondering..... Here is another with the 24-70. I so want to put my 100macro back on but how will I learn ...if you here something bumping around in the dark, it's just me looking for a little light....

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stepineden wrote in post #7859997
I've been forcing myself to shoot with the"brick". Besides having trouble with focus, I've found getting really nice bokeh difficult

I do not have any bokeh giants (85L, 200L, etc.) so maybe I am easy to please but I like the bokeh that I get from the 24-70L. I like the OOF lights/highlights effect that I get. These are real busy backgrounds (Time Square). I think the BG adds context and has pleasing highlights, at least to me. Both of these are f4, not wide open. I wish I grabbed some 2.8's as well but the moment has passed.

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single_track, I figure the focus and bokeh issues are directly related to the idiot behind the camera ( wait a minute, did I just say that?), and not the lense on the front of the camera. Until someone can prove me wrong on that assumption I'll keep working that 24-70......bumping around in the dark, can anyone tell me where the light switch is?

I think 2.8's would have ruined your "isolating the subject" and left them a little too blurry around the edges. I have plenty of trouble with remembering to bump down the aperture as to isolate, as you can see from my recent bee pics (post #6137 in this thread). I hate those missed opportunities...

You can also see from this shot... I had PLENTY of room to use a small aperture, as the green background here was the lawn 1 story down and several yards away. I would have really liked to have the whole flower in focus.

Canon 40D, Sigma 28-70mm F2.8-4
with +1, +2, and +4 close up filters
f8, ss1/320, ISO 125, focal length 53mm

Rachellebee27 wrote in post #7862251
I think 2.8's would have ruined your "isolating the subject" and left them a little too blurry around the edges.

That's a great point. On the statue guy, I remember bumping the aperture to f4 from f2.8 to ensure I would get all of him in focus for what would be a quick grab shot. I remember thinking that I wanted a little more DOF. I did not think specifically about the edges but you are right. While a larger aperture would better blur the BG, it would have likely softened the subject's edges and weakened the background separation a bit (the effect I absolutely wanted).

A new thing to think about: sharp subject edges for better separation. I am another step closer to knowing everything. Thanks.

shot this one not to long ago with my 100-400L, its not super BOKEH but i think it works for the shot. let me know what you think.

stepineden wrote in post #7861313
Luvsadog2, I think I have seen most of the photos you have posted and I'm having trouble thinking of any that weren't worthy. Enjoyed them all actually! The only photo on this thread that left me scratching my head (think it was here) was a brick/stone wall slightly out of focus, and it probably had its place. I'm just trying to say that I think there is a separation at some point between effective use of oof in a photo and it becoming bokeh. Is that a personal preference decision or is there a technical guide line.
Just kinda wondering..... Here is another with the 24-70. I so want to put my 100macro back on but how will I learn ...if you here something bumping around in the dark, it's just me looking for a little light....

Really nice shot, Step ... love the colors! Carla

Three shots I recently took... (click for larger versions)


400D + Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 @ 1.4:

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i like that last shot, can still see the background slightly and it seems to give the foreground some sort of place.

Here we go....

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huhging wrote in post #7868672
Here we go....

That looks so familiar where is it?

Have you been to Korea?