How to Take a Photo with a Blurry Background Using a DSLR
A photograph with a sharply focused subject against a blurry background can produce an elegant effect. The Bokeh effect refers to the blurred areas in the out-of-focus range. This blurred focus can transform clutter into a soft and pleasing backdrop. A sparkling effect can make the scene surreal. A wider lens aperture allows more light to enter the digital camera and gives a shallower depth-of-field. A macro lens or a telephoto lens can also create this artistic blur that enhances the subject in focus.
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Instructions
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Position the camera lens close to the subject, if possible. For example, to photograph a flower, try to fill much of the viewfinder frame with the subject. The remaining space will be out of focus.
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Focus on a specific thing, such as a person's eyes or one object in a group of objects. The background will fall out of focus.
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Open the lens aperture wide. For example, F/1.8 is one of the widest aperture settings on a normal 50mm lens. The smaller the F-stop value, the larger the lens aperture.
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Photograph the subject with a range of apertures, such as F/1.8 and F/2 and F/2.8, if available. Adjust the shutter speed for a well-exposed shot. Keep a good grip on your camera to prevent camera motion. Maintain sharp focus on the subject.
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Tips & Warnings
Shoot with a longer focal length in a zoom lens, if applicable. For example, on a 70-200mm telephoto lens, rotate the lens barrel to the 200mm focal length.
If you want to pan your camera so a moving subject stays in focus and the background is blurred, select a slower shutter speed, such as 1/125 second. Set the camera on a sturdy tripod or monopod. Move the camera to follow the motion of the moving subject, such as a sprinter at the track. This technique suggests speed.
References
- Photo Credit Ezra Shaw/Photodisc/Getty Images
