Bokeh, also known as “Boke” is one of the most popular subjects in photography. The reason why it is so popular, is because Bokeh makes photographs visually appealing, forcing us to focus our attention on a particular area of the image. The word comes from Japanese language, which literally translates as “blur”.
Bokeh
1) What is Bokeh?
Basically, bokeh is the quality of out-of-focus or “blurry” parts of the image rendered by a camera lens – it is NOT the blur itself or the amount of blur in the foreground or the background of a subject. The blur that you are so used to seeing in photography that separates a subject from the background is the result of shallow “depth of field” and is generally simply called “background blur”. The quality and feel of the background/foreground blur and reflected points of light, however, is what photographers call Bokeh. Confused yet? Take a look at the following image:
The house sparrow is in focus and sharp (which means that it is inside the depth of field), while the background is out of focus (which means that the background is outside the depth of field). The small or “shallow” depth of field is the result of standing relatively close to the subject, while using a large aperture. See those round circles of different color on the left side of the image? Those are light reflections and they are circular because that’s how the lens rendered them. In this case, the soft “feel” of those circular areas is what photographers would call “good bokeh”. While some photographers argue that bokeh is just about the quality of the circular light reflections, many others, including myself, believe that bokeh is about the quality of the entire out-of-focus area, not just reflections and highlights..
2) Good and Bad Bokeh
Remember, bokeh is rendered by the lens, not the camera. Different lenses render bokeh differently due to unique optical designs. Generally, portrait and telephoto lenses with large maximum apertures yield more pleasant-looking bokeh than cheaper consumer zoom lenses. For example, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4D lens produces exceptionally good-looking bokeh, while the Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G DX lens produces poor bokeh at the same focal length and aperture – all due to differences in optical designs of both lenses. Again, I am not just talking about the background blur; all lenses are capable of producing out of focus blur, but not all lenses are capable of rendering beautiful bokeh.
So, what is a good or beautiful bokeh? A good bokeh pleases our eyes and our perception of the image and therefore, the background blur should appear soft and “creamy”, with smooth round circles of light and no hard edges. Here is an example of beautiful bokeh rendered by the Nikon 85mm f/1.4D lens:
Creamy Bokeh
Pay attention to the smooth background behind the child’s face. The out-of-focus areas look creamy and the circles are round and soft with beautiful transitions between the blurry areas. That’s exactly what you would call good bokeh!
How about bad or ugly bokeh? Although a lot of people argue that there is no such thing as a bad bokeh, I still call whatever distracts my eyes “bad”:
Bad Bokeh
Open up the larger version of the above image and see for yourself – the quality of the blur is not pleasant to the eye, with sharp edges of the circles and double lines.
3) Bokeh shapes
The shape of the reflected light in out of focus areas depends on the lens diaphragm. Many older lenses such as Nikon 50mm f/1.4D have 7 straight blades in their diaphragms, which results in heptagon-shaped bokeh like this:
Most new lenses, now come with 9 rounded blades, which render round bokeh (Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR):
4) How to get good Bokeh
So, how do you get a good bokeh in your images? As I have pointed out above, bokeh depends on the type of lens you are using. While lower-end consumer zoom lenses will yield unpleasant bokeh, fixed (prime) lenses and most professional zoom lenses with fast apertures yield good-looking bokeh. Do you know if your lens produces good bokeh? Try this: focus on an object from a very close distance (as close as the lens will allow, keeping the object in focus), making sure that there are no objects at least 5-6 feet behind it. Make sure to be on the same level as the object itself, so that you are not looking down on it. Do not use a plain wall as your background – try to find a colorful background, preferably with some lights on it. A Christmas tree is a perfect background for a bokeh test. Once you find a good test subject with a suitable background, set your camera to “Aperture Priority” mode and set your aperture to the lowest number. On most consumer zoom lenses, the lowest aperture is typically f/3.5, while on prime and professional zoom lenses, it can be between f/1.2 and f/2.8. Once the aperture is set to the lowest value, take a picture of your subject and take a look at the rear LCD of your camera. The subject should be in focus, while the background is blurred. If you have a good lens, the bokeh should be soft and fuzzy, looking pleasing to the eye as shown in the example above. The circular reflections should be round and soft, with no hard edges.
5) What lenses create great bokeh?
There are many lenses that create great-looking bokeh. Most fast prime lenses with round-blade apertures such as Nikon 85mm f/1.4D or Canon 85mm f/1.2II USM create exceptionally good-looking bokeh. The lower-cost version of the same lens – Nikon 85mm f/1.8D and Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM also produce beautiful bokeh. One of my favorite lenses for beautiful bokeh is the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G, but be careful about the older Nikon 50mm f/1.4D or the 50mm f/1.8D, since they both produce heptagon-shaped bokeh as shown above. There are too many lenses to list, so I recommend doing some more research on different lenses, based on your photography needs.
6) Other examples of bokeh
Here are some other examples of great-looking bokeh:
About Nasim Mansurov
Hi.. Nice article on “Bokehs”.. I never heard of such a term till now, though I have been seeing them…
I am just a budding photographer (as you might be knowing by now), and want to buy a good camera and lens….
based on what I saw, I am planning to take a Nikon D90 with the kit lens 18-105 VR lens… Later planning to buy AF Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4-5.6G for zoom purpose…
Appreciate your suggestions… Btb, I am in denver, colorado.. Thanks.
Vasan, thank you for stopping by and dropping a comment!
The Nikon D90 is an excellent camera, I’m sure you will love it.
hye
i’m using D3000..can’t u tell me how to get good bokeh ?
F-ara, bokeh largely depends on the lens. You need a good portrait lens like 35mm f/1.8G or 50mm f/1.4G to get good bokeh…kit lenses with large apertures typically don’t yield good-looking bokeh.
Thank you thank you for this informative blog! I have owned a Nikon D50 for 5 years and have always been nervous switching it out of Auto mode… I’m embarrassed to admit :) I don’t want to upgrade until I educate myself. Your blog has been more helpful than any of the books I have (tried to) read- they are so confusing and put me to sleep. You and your wife explain things simply and perfectly! Keep up the good work!!! And the recipes look delicious- can’t wait to make the beefstroganoff this week. :)
Jaime, thank you for your feedback – Lola and I really appreciate it!
What type of bokeh would we get from a Nikon 18 – 105 mm?
Good or Bad?
Am planning to buy a Nikon D3100 with 18 – 105 mm lens.Thanks
Bokeh on 18-105mm is bad when compared to portrait lenses. If you want good bokeh, you need to get something like the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G.
Hope this helps.
I have a Nikon D300. I am wanting to step up in lenses – have the kit lens now. I am shooting my cousin’s wedding in January… late afternoon ceremony, 100+yr old church with very high vaulted ceilings made out of very dark wood, and the windows are stained dark blue. They of course want only the old chandeliers and candle light (have a lightsphere for my flash) They would like outdoor shots after the ceremony as well as inside the church. The church is surrounded by trees, so any sunlight on the horizon will be blocked by the trees. The reception is in a repurposed old barn with halogen overhead lights. I am very much set on the 50mm f/1.4G for most of my work (which is newborns, children, families in mostly natural light);however, if I were to be able to get one more lens @ this point which one would be helpful in the wedding situation?
Thank you so much for your time and suggestions.
Mindie Hill
moments in frame
Mindie, I don’t see how you can shoot the ceremony in such bad light without using flash. Even if you shoot with the 50mm f/1.4G, there won’t be enough light to illuminate your subjects’ faces. Instead of buying another lens, I would get a good flash like Nikon SB-900. I have shot inside old churches and I know that the ambient light is extremely low…
I do have a sb-600. And was considering the 900, though I don’t do a lot a weddings, and only shooting this one because it is my cousin. I have a Gary Fong lightsphere also. In your opinion is the 600 adequate or do I need to go to the expense of the larger flash? Though I will not use it as much as a true wedding photog. or is my money best spent on a lens that I will be able to use in the natural lighting situations I am usually shooting in?
Mindie, the SB-600 will work great for indoors shots. Coupled with the Gary Fong lightsphere, you should be able to take some good pictures in challenging light. Don’t forget to bump up your camera ISO and try shooting in TTL mode. And getting the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G will certainly help, since you can lower the aperture and shoot at faster shutter speeds/lower ISO.
I am interested in purchasing the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G (with the D300s), would this lens produce a desirable bokeh?
Thanks so much!
DeAnna
DeAnna, no, the Nikon 16-85mm is not going to produce good-looking bokeh. If you are looking for a lens that has good bokeh, take a look at the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G or the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G if budget is an issue…
Heyy, does the nikon 55-300vr have nice brokeh?
Im planning to buy one, but im not sure with the brokeh. thanks.
Hill, its bokeh is OK, not as good as in some prime lenses like Nikon 50mm f/1.4G.
thanksssss a lotttttttt….
i am taking a photography class..and am assigned to know more about bokeh… this site helps!!
by the way, what is the difference or how to differentiate macro and bokeh images?
Syifa, macro usually means close-ups. When you see small bugs enlarged in photos, they are usually shot with a macro lens.
nice topic..thanx for sharing your knowledge. i have a question to you.. just buy d3100 but wondering can i get a good bokeh using the kit lens which is 18-55mm..i know it impossible to get a good bokeh like those picture..as long as this kit lens give a liltle bit bokeh..i think that should be enough to me..since im newbie..really appreciate if you can share your knowledge..
John, no the kit lens won’t give you good-looking bokeh. If you want good bokeh, I would suggest to get a fast prime lens like the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G
thanx for the answer nasim..really appreciate..ur blog really good..
Hi Nasim,
Nice article. I wonder, you suggest Nikon 50mm f/1.4G for good-looking bokeh for example. Is there any different if I use D or S series instead of G? Is it still produce good bokeh?
Hai, I’m using Nikon D90 and just bought 50mm f/1.8D AF. can u tell me how to get a good bokeh using this lense. Do you have any suggestion on the setting using this lense since I can’t shift to any other f except f22 or it will show the FEE error…I really appreciate if you can help me.
Great explanation! Now I understand what bokeh is all about. Sometimes when looking at a picture one likes it or not, ignoring the science behind it. thanks!
Hi Nasim,
I know that you recommend the 85mm 1.4 for portraits, bokeh and subject isolation. How does the 105mm 2.0 DC compare? Which lens would have better boken and subject isolation?
Thanks,
Scott
Hi Nasim,
I have heard that the Nikon 105mm 2.0 DC (Defocus Control) lens produces great bokeh. Do you have any experience with this lens. I am trying to determine if the 105mm 2.0 DC or the 85mm 1.4G has better bokeh. Help!
Scott, yes, the 105mm DC indeed does produce nice bokeh. However, I personally prefer both the focal length and the bokeh of the new Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G. If you shoot outside all the time and you can get a good deal on the 105mm, then it might be worth considering. Otherwise, I find it too long for my needs.
Dear Nasim,
I have enjoyed reading your informative article on shooting birds, and all about the bokeh. You present your ideas very clearly, and I appreciate that.
I am a second shooter for beach portraits, and shoot with a Nikon D300. I like using the Nikor 70–200, F2.8 for shooting candids, and would like your opinion on a camera setting preference, such as shutter or aperture priority, for the best possible bokehs.
We usually shoot about an hour before sunset.
Thank you so much,
Janis
Janis, just shoot aperture priority at f/2.8 and get as close to your subject as possible – you will get beautiful bokeh with your 70-200mm.
Thanks for your quick reply, Nasim!
I’ll be trying it out this afternoon!
All the best……
Thanx for the article, it was a good learning experience for me. I recently bought a Nikon D3100 and am looking to buy a lens that will get me good bokeh, without breaking my bank. I was considering buying “Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G” but since u said sometimes zoom lenses can yield fairly good bokeh so do u think about the “Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 DG Macro” or “Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro”.
As these will also get me flexible zoom with macro options.
Since budget is limited, which of these do u think will get better bokeh ??
Thank you
Sandip, I would get the 50mm f/1.8G instead of any long zoom like the Sigma 70-300mm if you are looking for a good portrait lens. As for macro, neither one of these is good. The Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR is a good macro lens.
Hello, i just bough a nikon d90 come with lens kit 18-108 mm its good for bokeh….or what lens should i get..something that afordable this is my hobby thank you for helping..
Jasmine, no, the 18-105mm lens does not have good bokeh. Try a standard lens like the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G – it will be a world better than your 18-105mm. Lenses with beautiful bokeh like the 85mm f/1.4G are normally very expensive (over $1500).
Thanx Nasim, i got the nikon 50mm f/1.8G…man i love the bokeh this lens renders :-D…
Here is one frome my few first shots http://www.flickr.com/photos/59212957@N03/6253481866/
Sandip, that’s a nice pic of your cat! Yes, the 50mm rocks!
dear sir,really it was very useful all ur information on this subject ‘bokeh’.
let ur infos may bring new photgraphy lovers with inspiration and gratitude.
thanking u
dr.raghavan
11-03-2011
Hey I have heard abt bokeh but didnt know what it was……this is an excillent article…. I am just 16 and very passionate abt photography!! I have a nikon d90 with a 18 to 108mm vr lense…could u pls guide me on how to take a photograph with a good bokeh!! Thank you!!
What is the difference between a Nikon 50mm f/1.8G and a Nikon 50mm f/1.4G?
I have nikon D90 and 18-105 mm lense.. I was blur foreground and focus on background.. how I do that..? I know its not sort of related to topic of bokeh.. but I would be glad if anyone could help me? (:
Hi,
im going through reading all that you have to offer here, what a great site! glad to have found it… Wondering if you can help me decide on what lense to go with I love the sharp(but rounded) bokeh your talking about. I am buying a lense mostly for running after children to take great portraits of them through their life. I have a Canon, but I have noticed you use a Nikon,but I have been looking at the sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 would you say this is a good choice? But Im also thinking of going without a zoom(50mm f/1.4) to make the camera smaller to take anywhere with me. Do you think I would miss that zoom like crazy? nd last question… do you know if the circles on the sigma lense are hexagons or soft circles like you just taught me to appreciate so very much.
Thanks for sharing your great knowledge, what a gift you have.
What is the best way to have the clear focus on the subject? I am using a canon ef 50mm f/1.8 lens. Somehow my shots are still getting some blur around the edge, and not as crisp as I though it would be.
Loved the information you provided. In regards to primes, how many different ones do you usually use (or which are your favorites). I am looking primarily at the 50 f1.4 and the 85 f1.8. Do you think these two lenses compliment each other enough to live without a zoom? thanks, tim
Dear Nasim
I am very pleased with your work, I am in Hyderabad city in India.
I have Nikon d7000 and Sigma 150-500 lens
I love to photograph birds, I find it that pics are not as sharp as expected.
I am using high ISO and high shutter speed also, pl advice
Thanks
this is pathetically boring
i agree:) i love birds also<3, my camera is old:(
i have a basketball team and we use our schools cameras to take photos and idk the name of them
Hi coach chapman i didnt know you liked photoshop
is the nikon d5100 a good camera for this and whts the cheapest price for a nikon d5100 and 18-55mm nikor lens