How to Create Shaped Bokeh {Creative Photography}
April 24th, 2013
Break out of that rut, think outside of the box and add some fun to your photos with shaped bokeh!
Photography Tutorial: Creating Shaped Bokeh
Let’s have some fun. Grab your camera, shape puncher, black paper, black tape, scissors and pencil.
Remove lens, trace base on paper and cut.
Create bokeh filter by punching shape into center of circular disc.
Wrap lens with paper, cut down to size and seal seams with tape.
Affix bokeh filter to lens wrap and seal with tape at seams to avoid light leaks.
Shoot wide open (smallest aperture f/stop number) in manual mode and place lights behind subject. Point and shoot.
Let nature photos shine.
Make portraits pop.
And create beautiful abstract images.
The possibilities are endless.
Inject a healthy dose of fun into your photography by adding shaped bokeh to your creative photography arsenal. With a little bit of practice and the following tips, you’ll be creating shaped bokeh magic in no time.
- Shoot in manual mode with your aperture wide open (smallest f/stop number).
- Create distance between subject in foreground and lights in background to achieve bokeh.
- Seal seams along bokeh filter properly and use black paper to avoid light leaks.
- You don’t need Christmas lights to create bokeh. Experiment with street lights and bits of light peeking through tree limbs.
- No shape puncher? No problem. Cut your own shape into the filter, freehand.
Keep shooting.
Think beyond the lens.
Have fun.
Are you a sucker for bokeh, too? I’m head over-heels in love! What’s your favorite lens for creating dreamy bokeh?
Stuck in a photography rut? Feeling uninspired? Rebecca of Bumbles & Light and I are sharing a few fun and creative photography ideas to fuel your creativity and help you to think beyond the lens in our mini Creative Photography Series.
Head on over to Rebecca’s blog where she’s sharing an awesome tutorial on creating a pinhole camera with your DSLR!
In case you missed it…more creative photography ideas:
- How to turn your 50mm lens into a macro
- Oil and water photography tutorial
- Creating dreamy photos using plastic wrap
- Creating ethereal, color-infused photos with scarves as filters
- Using creative lenses
- Achieving a tilt-shift lens effect with your 50mm lens
- Pinhole camera tutorial
