Fiatgusto
Member
I would like information into creating bokeh affects with my Yashica Electro 35 GT.
I saw some photos today which really impressed me and if possible I would like to create some of my own.
I have thoughts as to how, but your instructions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Dennis
I saw some photos today which really impressed me and if possible I would like to create some of my own.
I have thoughts as to how, but your instructions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Dennis
bgetty
Brandon Getty
bokeh for the sake of bokeh isn't really my thing, but there's not much to it. find a backdrop or setting that'll look nice out of focus, open up your lens, focus accordingly and shoot.
Exdsc
Well-known
Shoot at the widest aperture or if you're good with photoshop try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZL7rbHTQc
froyd
Veteran
eek! you better be wearing amiantus!
Better to do it in camera if possible.
If you need maximum effect, position your subject close to the lens min focus distance and make sure your background is far from the subject, not immediately behind it. Then open the lens to the max aperture and trip the shutter.
There are many apps, charts, and websites that will help you calculate depth of field at a given aperture for the specific format and focal length you are using -- and a basic guide is engraved directly on the lens barrel.
DNG
Film Friendly
What he said!!
"DOF Calculator" by Cunning Dog Software LLC is the best app there is for this.... Google Play... not sure about iTones Apps though
peterm1
Veteran
Use the widest aperture. Then try to place your main subject quite close to the camera but with the background a long distance away. That maximises the out of focus area, keeping the in focus area quite shallow and of course focussed on the main subject. I would normally advise using a longer lens (like an 85mm) but as you are using a fixed lens camera you need to work with what you have of course. So experimentation is needed and you need to get to know your camera / lens. But I suspect that the lens on this particular camera should work well.
In addition to the above I would further suggest that you try to experiment with different backgrounds - greenery makes a nice background for bokeh effects I find.
Also too much sun in front of the camera can be a problem both for flare etc and because sun shining through leaves for example can sometimes make the bokeh too "busy" or complicated. On the other hand it can sometimes work well with certain lenses / foliage - the secret is in getting to know the characteristics of your lens.
And of course as you are shooting wide open (or near to wide open) use the slowest film available and maybe a neutral density filter on the front of your lens. (If you do not have one of the correct size or if there is no filter ring you can just hold a large diameter ND filter over the lens.) This might be complicated by the fact that I doubt that your camera meters thru the lens. If not you will need to allow for this in your exposure setting.
If you do not do the above you may have difficulties due to over exposing your images. Thats about all I can think of apart from studying other peoples' examples.
Be aware that on Flickr there are lots of groups dedicated to bokeh. use the search facility in Flickr set the search type to "groups" and go hunting for ideas. Note the set ups people are using to find out what kind of setting you like best for your images.
I have done a search here http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?q=bokeh
Here are a couple of images with foliage and bokeh - nothing special I was just testing various lenses on the same subject to see what bokeh they produced. But it allows you to see what foliage bokeh can look like. The first is average, the second very smooth.
In addition to the above I would further suggest that you try to experiment with different backgrounds - greenery makes a nice background for bokeh effects I find.
Also too much sun in front of the camera can be a problem both for flare etc and because sun shining through leaves for example can sometimes make the bokeh too "busy" or complicated. On the other hand it can sometimes work well with certain lenses / foliage - the secret is in getting to know the characteristics of your lens.
And of course as you are shooting wide open (or near to wide open) use the slowest film available and maybe a neutral density filter on the front of your lens. (If you do not have one of the correct size or if there is no filter ring you can just hold a large diameter ND filter over the lens.) This might be complicated by the fact that I doubt that your camera meters thru the lens. If not you will need to allow for this in your exposure setting.
If you do not do the above you may have difficulties due to over exposing your images. Thats about all I can think of apart from studying other peoples' examples.
Be aware that on Flickr there are lots of groups dedicated to bokeh. use the search facility in Flickr set the search type to "groups" and go hunting for ideas. Note the set ups people are using to find out what kind of setting you like best for your images.
I have done a search here http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?q=bokeh
Here are a couple of images with foliage and bokeh - nothing special I was just testing various lenses on the same subject to see what bokeh they produced. But it allows you to see what foliage bokeh can look like. The first is average, the second very smooth.
Fiatgusto
Member
Just as I suspected! Wonderful information from fellow members. What a great forum.
Thank you all!!!!!
Thank you all!!!!!