Simple Ways to Get Beautiful Background Blur

It’s called bokeh – that dreamy background blur you see in so many professional photographer’s images. Bokeh comes from the Japanese word boke, which means “blur” or “haze.” It’s a great way to isolate your subject from the background to make it stand out more.

So, how do you get it? You need to use a fast lens—the faster the better. Something with at least an f/2.8 aperture (smaller is better!). You’ll want to shoot with the lens wide open. If you’re not comfortable shooting in manual just yet, switch to Aperture Priority Mode.

If you don’t have a fast lens, there are still things you can do to get a nice background blur.

Make sure your subject is not too close to the background. If you have your child standing against a wall, tell them to take 5 giant steps forward. The more space you have between your subject and the background, the more blur you will have. Pay attention the the light in the background too. If it’s dappled light with highlights, the bokeh will have a sparkly effect.

Another simple way to get a beautiful background blur is to stand close to your subject. If you are using a zoom lens, zoom all the way in. If you are using a prime, you’ll have to use your feet.

If you’re looking for a fun activity to do, try creating custom bokeh. Here’s a great tutorial!