Project 12 Portraits | Bokeh

Bokeh is a Japanese term that describes the out of focus or blurred area of an image. I’m sure you could find it explained in quite a few different ways, but that makes the most sense to me! Bokeh can be smooth and buttery, or sparkling through bubbles of light. What I love about it is that it really draws your eye to the subject by blurring out any distractions in the background. Most bokeh looks gorgeous while doing it, too! I must admit, out of all the challenges so far, I thought this one would be easy. Not so fast, this one was tough for me! Bokeh can depend on the type of lens used, aperture, and distance from background. Lens selection is important.  My favorite lens, the 50/1.4 was out of commission this month, and my boys are a bit tired of my camera as we are nearing summer’s end. My friend Allison helped me out and loaned me her 85/1.2L, which produces some of the most gorgeous bokeh ever! My little guy also came through for me with the help of Dusty the plane. The only negative: I am pining away for that lens!! Time to start saving! Visit the blog of Allison Jacobs, Orange County Photographer to see the gorgeous bokeh in her work (she is the lucky owner of that 85L!).  Follow through the circle and view the work of all of these talented ladies!

Below is the one photo taken with my 24-70/2.8. You can see the difference in the bokeh between this one and the photo above (taken with 85L).

[…] To continue through our circle of photographers and to see their take on portraits with bokeh, you can beging by visiting the lovely and talented, Kimberly Skeen | Orange County Family Photographer […]

Suzanne Carey - August 15, 2013 - 7:19 am

Love these! My favorite bokeh is with pretty light coming through trees or with lights. You nailed the pretty light in trees. These are so pretty!

Laura Veno - August 15, 2013 - 8:09 am

These totally remind me of my son- he loved his airplanes! Love the bokeh in these, and that you showed the difference in lenses. My favorite is the last with the fence framing your son, the pretty backlighting, and beautiful filtered light in the tree. Perfect!

Allison Jacobs - August 15, 2013 - 9:38 am

It was so fun to meet you to shoot for this challenge and I think you found some great bokeh! Your little guy is just too cute—what a treasure to have that portrait that shows his missing teeth down the road!

melissa deakin - August 15, 2013 - 1:23 pm

Hi Kimberly!
I struggled too with this theme and wasn’t expecting that at all. These are gorgeous and that bokeh is amazing! But, I really cannot covet another lens–my husband says no more lenses! They just don’t get it! Beautiful work!

Jessica - August 15, 2013 - 7:52 pm

These are absolutely wonderful! And I borrowed that lens of Alli’s once too–it also left me pining… One day!

Amber Norris - August 21, 2013 - 7:03 am

Good grief your son is cute! These are precious shots of him. Beautiful Bokeh!

cblayloc - August 29, 2013 - 6:55 am

He is just crazy cute!!! I think my daughter would be smitten with him : ) You did a awesome job with the bokeh…love!! You nailed this!