How to Make Blurry Background Pictures on a Point & Shoot Camera

Technique is more important than equipment.

The art of intentionally taking a photograph with a blurry background, commonly referred to as "bokeh" among photographers, can lead to dramatic and breathtaking results. Unfortunately, most point and shoot cameras are aimed at photographers seeking clear, crisp images. Point and shoot cameras generally have small sensors and aperture settings, which results in crisp pictures but limits bokeh photography. All is not lost, however, as a skilled photographer can work around a camera's shortcomings to create beautiful and inspiring photographs.

Instructions

1. Set the aperture mode to priority. The larger the aperture (the lower the aperture number), the shallower the depth of field. You want a shallow depth of field for a blurry background. Note that not all point and shoot cameras have an aperture mode. Refer to your camera's manual for mode options and how to set them.

2. Set your camera to portrait mode. If your camera does not have a portrait mode, search for a macro mode. Both settings focus on the closest, largest object in the camera's field of vision.

3. Turn off your camera's flash. You need lots of light but a flash will distort the effect you are trying to create.

4. Choose an object in a well lit location, preferably an outdoor setting on a sunny day. If you're aiming for an indoor setting, use as much lighting as possible. The lighting, be it spotlights or open windows, should be behind you for best results.

5. Position the object so that background objects are as far away from the object you are photographing as possible. For example, if you are photographing a vase of flowers in front of a bookshelf, you want the vase of flowers to be as far away from the bookshelf as possible. Include reflective surfaces (glass, metallic surfaces or windows without sun glare) if you can.

6. Choose a small, detailed object. Small objects, rather than large ones, will help you in the following steps. Detailed objects will draw your camera's focus; your camera will spend more time focusing on the close-up detail than the background detail.

7. Zoom in as far as possible on the object you wish to photograph.

8. Stand as close to the object you wish to photograph as possible while still capturing the object in your photograph. Keep your camera zoomed in.

9. Lightly press the shutter button. Not hard enough to take a picture; just hard enough to tell your camera to focus on the object you wish to photograph. You want your camera to focus on that object, not the background or nearby objects. If your camera still wants to focus on other objects, remove them from the vicinity of the object you wish to photograph.

10. Take a picture. Take a lot of pictures. Subtle changes (lighting, movement of the object if it is a person or animal, camera placement if not using a tripod to steady it and changes) can affect the final result of the photograph. If you take twenty photographs, rather than just one, your chances of achieving the image you are seeking increases dramatically.

Tips & Warnings

• Read your camera's manual. Camera manuals detail functions and settings, how to use them, and provide tips to help you achieve your desired results.

• If you simply cannot achieve the effect you are looking for, consider altering your photograph using a graphics editing program. Most graphics editing programs have a blur feature that will allow you to blur certain areas of the photograph.

• If you are taking pictures of people, also ask permission beforehand, especially when traveling.

References

• Mansurovs Photography; Bokeh on Point and Shoot Cameras; Nasim Mansurov; July 2010
• Bangkok Images: Blurred Background with a Point and Shoot?
• Black God; How to make selective focus photo with point and shoot camera?; June 2011
• Photojojo; How to Blur a Distracting Background Armed Only With a Point and Shoot; August 2009