Having one of the latest digital cameras helps but it’s not enough to get a great bokeh effect: you need to know some techniques. Here are some techniques
The bokeh effect is very popular lately, especially on social networks. It is a photographic technique that allows you to create a controlled blurring of the image (normally it is the background that is modified) and thus highlight a subject or a particular detail of the photograph.
How is the bokeh effect obtained? Mainly by using a DLSR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. To make it clear, this category includes all digital cameras – which are mostly expensive – of the latest generation. And not only that. You can also use some models of smartphones (for example, the iPhone 7) that, thanks to the dual photo sensor, allow you to create on a photo the bokeh effect. The result, however, is not remotely comparable (yet) to that achieved with a DLSR camera. This doesn’t mean that it is enough to have a Reflex camera to obtain a good “blurred” effect. It is necessary, in fact, to know how to use it.
Lens with wide focal aperture
Light, as it is known, is a crucial element to take a good picture. The amount of light is also crucial for the bokeh effect. The more light that enters the DLSR camera, the more depth the image will have to be blurred and the more prominent the subject or the detail in the foreground will be. For this it is necessary to use a lens that has a very wide focal length. One suggestion would be to buy a 50mm/f1.8 lens, or a 35mm/f.18 lens. Alternatively, if you want to get an even better effect, you can use an f/1.4 lens. The latter lens, however, has a disadvantage: it is very expensive.
Position of the subject
A fundamental aspect of achieving a good bokeh effect is the distance between the position of the subject, or detail, to be highlighted and the background to be blurred. The subject, in fact, must not be far from the lens, otherwise the camera will take a normal photograph. It is essential, therefore, to align it close to the lens so as to create a good contrast of depth between subject and background, moving it away from the other elements to be blurred. If your desire is to take macro photographs, that is, images of very small subjects, you could use a lens with a focal length of 70 mm or 100 mm to obtain the bokeh effect.
These are two of the main tips to put into practice to achieve excellent results. If you own a DLSR camera, you just have to try it.