Bokeh with a 28mm f/2.8?

[kbradley88]

I bought a Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 mainly for taking portraits in my living room (due to the crop factor on my camera the 50 f/1.8 is a little long), but I'm having trouble getting the bokeh, or blurred background, even when I shoot at f/2.8. Any suggestions?

Also, does using the SB600 increase the presence of this by allowing the picture to expose faster? I've been using natural light.

Thanks.

[oldwolf]

how far from the background is the subject? this affects the bokeh in an image. if the subject is a foot away from the background then there's no way you'll get nice bokeh even when shooting at 2.8

[ericw]

Originally Posted by kbradley88

Also, does using the SB600 increase the presence of this by allowing the picture to expose faster? I've been using natural light.

Flash would have no effect on the presence of bokeh.

[Chip]

A shorter focal length (all other things being equal) produces a larger DOF. And for that DOF, roughly 1/3 of what's in acceptable focus is in front of the subject and the rest of what's in acceptable focus is behind the subject.

So, putting your subject closer to you and/or increasing the distance between your subject and whatever is behind him/her/it should help.

But, producing bokeh with a 28mm, indoors, isn't that easy, since most rooms aren't all that large.