Bokeh

[Keethjon]

When did "Bokeh" become such an important photography subject? To me, it is plain old "depth of field" with background textures that vary according to the type of lens used. I started a simple photography learning website some months ago, (a work in progress) and now I am wondering if it is a subject I should include in the future with other photography basics.

Keith
Easy Basic Photography

[Mike367]

I could be wrong, but my understanding of bokeh is that it is not depth of field, but the quality of the DOF. It is the aesthetic quality of the appearance of out of focus objects. Two lenses of the same focal length, focused at the same distance and set to the same aperture will have the same DOF but may have different bokeh.

By this definition, the term is commonly misused.

[Keethjon]

Yes I understand that Mike. I mentioned that it had to do with the type of lens used. But I guess my point is that it seems some people think that it is something new that no one ever knew about before. And yes I understand the aesthetic point. But it still seems to come down to how you control the look of narrow depth of field. Just a new name tag.

Keith
Easy Basic Photography

[RichardTaylor]

I think the main thing is just be aware of it. It is another creative tool.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Keethjon

Yes I understand that Mike. I mentioned that it had to do with the type of lens used. But I guess my point is that it seems some people think that it is something new that no one ever knew about before. And yes I understand the aesthetic point. But it still seems to come down to how you control the look of narrow depth of field. Just a new name tag.

It's just become a new thing to discuss. SOme people really strive for it, some dont care.

More importantly, wtf does it matter if people are discussing it? If you don't want to, don't.

[CheaperKings]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

wtf does it matter if people are discussing it? If you don't want to, don't.

What is "wtf"? Please explain. Is it some 'photography' term? I'd like to see what that term does to help people here. Thank you in advance...

[edbayani]

instead of calling it bokeh, call it as selective focus. just a term.

[RichardTaylor]

wtf means "waiting to focus". Applies to some lenses when trying to capture out of focus highlights.

+ smile

There is a subtle difference between selective focus and good bokeh.

(1) Selective focus.


(2) Bokeh. (the out of focus highlights are optional).



.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by CheaperKings

What is "wtf"? Please explain. Is it some 'photography' term? I'd like to see what that term does to help people here. Thank you in advance...

Really? you've been on the internet this long and don't know what WTF means?

It's shorthand for WHAT THE F^&%

[vandergus]

I think part of the fascination comes from its initial novelty when you first upgrade your camera. Nowadays, most people's photographic experience is limited to point and shoots, where the depth of field is practically infinite. When they upgrade to their fancy new DSLR with a big fat sensor, they discover this whole new bokeh thing where the backgrounds get all dreamy and fuzzy. It's fun to play with because it's something that they couldn't do with their previous camera. So naturally it gets over used and everybody else gets annoyed with your overly shallow depth of field even though they did the same thing when they first got their camera. And since DSLR's are so affordable these days, everybody gets one and flickr becomes overrun with fences shot at really wide apertures.

At least that's my theory...