Bokeh becomes a concern when...

[noimmunity]

I'm trying to figure out in what situations does bokeh really "matter"?

The grumpy side of my nature is inclined to judge that bokeh is largely a concern in photographs that have no real point of interest. I think most of the interest in the bokeh of certain lenses such as the Canon 50/1.2 (forgive me, that's my straw man for today) derives from seeing how the lens creates unpredictable swirlies in photos that otherwise lack content.

But of course, that's not entirely true. There are countless situations in which bokeh serves to complement and accentuate the main subject.

Nevertheless, I have trouble nailing down what those situations really are.

 

[Sparrow]

Bokeh becomes important when there isn't enough light to take a proper photograph ...

 

[ferider]

Bokeh becomes a concern when it detracts from the subject.

Shown this example before: I was proud of this shot - I love kingfishers.

But the double branches bug me.

 

[aad]

I think most "b" discussions are from folk looking for an excuse to buy the lens of the moment.

 

[ferider]

Or here: shot with the Canon 35/2 LTM. The "Japanese Summicron" ? Give me a break.

 

[Sparrow]

Bokeh becomes a concern when it detracts from the subject.

Shown this example before: I was proud of this shot - I love kingfishers.

But the double branches bug me.

I think that, very much, adds to the image .... edgy and a little aggressive.

Is that Good Bokeh then? I'm never sure which is which 🙂

 

[noimmunity]

The bokeh makes it look rather like the bird was 'caught in the act'.

A smoother bokeh would have drawn attention to the incredible presence of the bird.

Just my '2 sense'.

And Roland, your earlier tests definitively showed, for me, why the Canon 50/1.4 mops the floor with the 50/1.2 in terms of sharpness and bokeh!

 

[maddoc]

.... when shallow DOF alone doesn't help anymore ... 😛

 

[tbarker13]

When you want to isolate your subject against an out-of-focus background, the last thing you need is for busy/nervous bokeh to intrude upon the image.

 

[antiquark]

Just think of bokeh as an object with a particular shape and appearance. You can use it as part of of composition, for whatever reason you want. Might as well ask, "should pictures ever have apples in them?"

 

[StaaleS]

Bokeh becomes a concern when it's like this:

(The pic looks worse, far worse, in a larger size)

 

[semordnilap]

I think, too, that half of what's called bad bokeh is bad background... High contrast or busy to begin with, and is better managed by changing framing than by changing lenses. Obviously there are some lenses that deal with certain situations better than others, but almost any lens can be put in a situation where it will produce distracting or annoying bokeh.

 

[dnk512]

...when it is of any concern.

Out of focus elements add to the perception of depth in an image. The rendering of such elements should enhance/support the elements in focus. Bokeh should not 'pull' the eye.

 

[oftheherd]

Bokeh becomes a concern when it detracts from the subject.

Shown this example before: I was proud of this shot - I love kingfishers.

But the double branches bug me.

The branch cutting his body is a bother. But he had to sit somewhere just to be photographed. The rest of the branches criss-crossing as they do, I think adds a lot to the photo.

As to bokeh, I think that has to be taken on a photo by photo basis, not a lens by lens basis.

 

[Sparrow]

well if you must have a thin DOF why waste your time? ... just get a Nikon 105/f2.5, fit and forget

 

[oftheherd]

Or here: shot with the Canon 35/2 LTM. The "Japanese Summicron" ? Give me a break.

I just commented that bokeh should be taken of a photo by photo basis, not a lens by lens basis. Maybe I was wrong. 😀

How does that lens give doughnut circles? I thought only mirror lenses did that.

 

[Sparrow]

I just commented that bokeh should be taken of a photo by photo basis, not a lens by lens basis. Maybe I was wrong. 😀

How does that lens give doughnut circles? I thought only mirror lenses did that.

very much agree sir!

I think the circles may be the glazing not the lens, it isn't present on the outside lights

 

[alistair.o]

When I envy your lens and have to have it because it does that thing which everyone says mine must do, but doesn't (or else)...

Your round...

 

[alistair.o]

Bokeh becomes a concern when it's like this:

(The pic looks worse, far worse, in a larger size)

I read this and thought I would leave it alone but, you know how it is...

How about this:

1. Wrong use of aperture for that job.
2. Wrong lens for that job.
3. Change lens and do with macro (or Nikon = micro)
4. Job done = Focus nice and tight - no extraneous issues - absolute clarity of subject

Old skool eh!

Where are we going with our realistic expectations of what we own. If you have a tool for a job then do the job. If you want a multi-tool to do many jobs then you had better be prepared to pay #1000's for a very good tool. Now, how often you are going to use all the 'bits' on that tool, well that's another question?

 

[StaaleS]

All true, Rollei, all true. Wonderfully nauseating results as used though - Sigma 20mm f/1.8 wide open at minimum focus distance against an untidy background >🙂