Don’t you just love that ‘bokeh’ blurry background effect that photographers get? I do, not all the time, but used appropriately, it can create really memorable images.
How do photographers create this blurred background thing? Quite simple really – it’s all down to having a very shallow depth of field, which is probably easier to understand if you call it ‘depth of focus’. For example, not using real figures: with a certain lens at a certain focal length – that’s the millimetres thing, you know, 28mm, and with a big hole, better known as an ‘aperture’ or ‘f-stop’, say f2.8, only the thing you focus on is in focus, plus a very shallow area behind the thing you focus on. Say, 1.5 metres. This means that anything beyond 1.5 metres, is not in focus. Hey presto! Bokeh!
The trouble is that this depth of focus changes in relation to the length of a lens and the size of the aperture. Smaller apertures, that’s with bigger f numbers (f10, f18, f32 etc) have much deeper focus areas.
This depth of field or focus thing, as you prefer, can be calculated – just search Google for ‘DOF calculators’, and there are even charts to help you. But we live in the digital age now, so why can’t the manufacturers build a DOF display into their cameras? Much better than that silly ‘direct print’ button thing on Canon dSLRs, or so I think.
Just a photographic thought for the day, inspired by this photo, and, if you click, you will see a comment of mine on this very subject.
AlexR says
Gege’,
You are welcome to my time!
And yes, we share the same fascination for, as you put it ‘real, tactile, physical appreciation’ of the form of our things.
As to your reaction to my gun thing, I have to say that you are a very reasonable vegetarian and a peace-nik!
Funny as it may seem, I do not like killing things, it’s more the thrill of the chase -which I think I could get with a camera. On my hunting sessions I’ve seen some lovely sights, and I wish I had had a camera to record them. Not a bad idea this, hunting with a camera. I will try it sometime.
Having a go at the mandolin sounds interesting, even if my gut feeling is that it is not really the instrument for me, but I’ll try most things, so if I find myself in your neck of the woods, I’ll drop in and have a go!
Have fun in the shop – and let me know if you find the choice interesting…
As for addiction, I apologise, well sort of. I’ve been addicted for a long time, and it sounds as though my addiction may have become infectious. If an addiction can become infectious, that is!
Regards,
Alex
Gege Bau says
Thanks for taking time out from work! ;o)
… and for talking about your long-term relationships. I find them fascinating. We share the same connection with our beloved things – an a real, tactile, physical appreciation of their form, the way they interface with us, how they combine their own beatiful form with how they feel in our hands and with how we use them.
I don’t think there’s anything strange about having this kind of relationship with a screwdriver. And although I am vegetarian and a peace-nik to boot, I can understand how you feel about your guns. Many people enjoy aiming and shooting – violent death doesn’t necessarily have to be involved. Although I have to admit that, living in a place where hunting is an obssession, if not a disease, and I have to wonder what it is about killing things that so entertains people.
If you have small hands, you’d be perfect for the mandolin! I have several – why don’t you drop by some time and I’ll show you how to play one! ;o)
Ok, I’m on my way over to your shop thingy now! Alex, I gotta tell you – I’ve become addicted to your blog!
AlexR says
Hi Gege’ – I should be working….but I was curious to hear what you thought.
Good to hear that you like the bokeh, and yes, this kid is very photogenic. I think the photo is quite ‘warm’ too, not too coldly digital, but I suppose it would be better to see the prints.
As for items that I have, well, not exactly love affairs, but more long term relationships with. Here are a few, though not in any real order:
First there are tools. Certain power tools and things like spanners, planes, and screwdrivers. I love their solidity and feel, and, I know this is odd, I find them attractive in a way.
Next, guitars. I’d love to be able to play the things, but I think my hands are too darn small. Anyway, I particularly like electric guitars, and electro acoustic guitars. I find the melding of form and function irresistible. Despite not being able to play the things, I had two. One plain acoustic, which was lovely to look at, and a Fender Strat, which was both gorgeous to look at and to hold.
I have no guitars here, but one of these fine days, I dare say I’ll end up with one or two. Just don’t tell the neighbours!
Actually, I like musical instruments in general, and was able to play the trumpet. My old trumpet is back in the UK and I have not touched it for years. I did contemplate bringing it here, but they are not really the things for Italian apartments.
The other thing I love, is guns. Now before you go running off telling everyone I’m a mad gun nut, I must say that I am well aware of what they are and what they do, but, despite this I find many of them beautiful. I have never mentioned this anywhere on this blog, because I don’t know how people will take it. I mean the purpose of guns is pretty frightening. The combination of form and function is fascinating. I’m not sure why they fascinate me so, but they do.
This fascination, which began when I was very young, has never really diminished, and I am the only one in my family who likes the things.
I only have one now, and it is an air pistol, but I love its weight, feel, simplicity and precision. Yes, I love shooting too, but although I have shot rabbits and pigeons (and skinned and eaten them – I’m no vegetarian) I don’t need to kill things to enjoy shooting. Shooting at targets is something I love too.
It is possible that I find photography interesting because of the ‘shooting’ aspect too, I suppose.
Well, you did ask.
As for your birthday, take a quick look at the Gege’ Bau section in the shop thingy I’ve just added. And, if you wish, let me know what you think.
All the best,
Alex
Gege Bau says
Very nice bokeh, and very photogenic little kid!
…though I suspect that the double whammy of digital bokeh viewed on a computer screen is one lousy combination.
So what items are you having a wild love affair? Besides the Leica, I’m in a serious relationship with one of my mandolins and my concertina. That’s about it for me… and it’s more than enough of a handful! Try explaining not one but THREE illicit affairs to the Other Half!
Hmmmm… my birthday IS coming up… any suggestions?
AlexR says
Gege’ – what do you make of the bokeh? Passable?
Let me know!
Cheers,
Alex
AlexR says
Gege’
I know that a great camera does not a great photographer make, but it can help. I love the control and flexibility I have of my dSLR, something which the average point and shoot cannot match, although a good photographer can still obtain wonderful shots from simple gear. I can’t, but I’m no great photographer.
As for your carnal love affair with your Leica, that is something I completely understand. I have the same feeling for well made good quality items that seem to combine form and function in such a way as to create a form of beauty. There are several things I like that fall into this category.
Instead of shelling out lots of cash for a super dSLR, why not invest in a good lens for your d40?
Maybe your birthday is coming up…..
Regards,
Alex
Gege Bau says
verrry nice shot, Alex! Complimenti!
Ok, so now that we’ve sung our praises and hail mary’s about the Leica – all well deserved in every respect – let’s remember that a great camera does not necessarily make a great photograph. As in painting – good art can be made with a sable brush, and it can be made with a stick.
I have an actual, sensual, carnal love affair with the Leica. Its feel in my hands is something that can’t be described. It’s hard to understand how such an elemental piece of machinery (it doesn’t get any more manual than this!) can be so demanding. Yet it is not the camera that’s responsible for good photos or bad photos. That’s up to us.
I only wish I could fall in love with my digital camera in a similar way. I’m sure if I were to shell out a lot of money for a very good one, I’d come close. But having had to sell my soul for my Leica…
AlexR says
And this:
Bokeh2
The bokeh is not bad, but the shot is not in focus.
Alex
AlexR says
Ok Gege’ – so now I know what you use, I know I can’t compete!!
I’d love a ‘real’ 35mm f/1.4, but these darned dSLRs have this odd multiplier thing – which means at 28mm real, the focal length is really 44.8mm! Your d40 suffers from this problem. You need a so-called full frame model to get the actual focal length. This things do not help in the rendering of bokeh.
Now, I imagine that with the extremely shallow f/1.4 dof, you really are going to get some lovely sexy bokeh.
Shame your Leica is back in the Big Apple.
As for the qualitative aspect, I’m going to have to look into it, although I know that many believe that digital is too cold. Maybe this is simply because it is very accurate, or, as you say, everything is made up of tiny little squares.
On the post production front, I agree with you, I’m not heavily into tweaking my photos beyond what the RAW software will do, and, I admit, some cropping.
Although I don’t believe I’m able to compete on a level playing field against someone who has used what by many is considered to be one of the best cameras in the universe, I was out and about a little on Saturday with my camera. And I attempted to capture some bokehish shots.
I shall process the and post them to Flickr shortly, in the meantime, look at this, although you may have already seen it:
Bokeh1
Kind regards,
Alex
Gege Bau says
Gladly – I use an M6. My everyday lens (the one I use almost exclusively) is the 35mm f/1.4 Summicron Aspherical. It’s not only an awesome, lens, it’s a work of art in and of itself. I also have a 90mm f/2.8 Elmarit and a 50mm f/2.8 collapsible Elmar lens – neither of which I use very often because I am most comfortable with the wider 35mm.
Very unfortunately, all of this gear currently resides at my sister’s house… in New York. Long story. And so I’ve been using the Nikon d40, telling myself that this is my chance to embrace digital photography. I’ve never been into overly manipulating my pics, so I’m not interested in the “post-production” possibilites. I like the immediacy of digital. I love the economy of digital. I adore the vegetarian environmental friendliness of digital. But sadly, I miss that extra something you get from film, chemicals and paper.
I think the qualitative difference between digital and film bokeh is that film is analog. No matter how many megapixels you can accumulate (and you need far less than the industry would have you believe!), the image is nevertheless broken down into units. And this leads to that cold, barren feeling that digital photography results in. What do you think?
Ok, I’ve held up my part of the bargain, Alex. Now you do your part: let’s see some photo’s! ;o)
AlexR says
@Maryann – sorry for not replying sooner. Hope you did play with the settings on your camera. What camera gear have you got, as a matter of interest?
And a belated Happy Valentines day to you too!
@Gege’ – I’ll take you up on the challenge, but only if you tell me what lenses you use on your Leica – and especially what apertures these objectives have. In any case, digital or not, Leica’s lenses are legendary, as are their cameras, so I’m not sure my cheapo f2/8 lens would ever manage to outdo a legendary Leica.
But you’ve got me thinking. Now I want to understand why traditional film bokeh is better than digital bokeh. Must be some reason for this.
All the best to both of you, and have a nice weekend.
Alex
Gege Bau says
Ohhh bokeh, mon amour!
While you and I love to hate and hate to love many of the same things, we agree on bokeh. And nobody does it better than the Leica. I’ve been tempted to make mad passionate love with my Leica’s rendering of bokeh. And I don’t care what anybody says, digital bokeh isn’t worth taking out on a cheap date.
So Alex – post some of your own wonderful bokeh photos!
Maryann says
You just reminded me to play with the settings on my camera. I’m not sure if it can do this..hmmm.
Oh..and Happy Valentines Day!