Why is Bokeh Good? Let’s Count the Ways
2. Reasons to Love Those Blurry Bits
Okay, so we’ve established that bokeh is desirable. But let’s delve deeper into why good bokeh is so important. The first reason is subject isolation. Good bokeh helps to effortlessly separate your subject from a distracting background. Imagine photographing a flower in a busy garden. With creamy bokeh, the flower pops out, becoming the star of the show while the rest of the garden fades into a soft, pleasing backdrop. The viewer isn’t distracted by every leaf and twig, but instead is drawn directly to the flower.
Next up is creating mood. The quality of bokeh can significantly impact the overall feel of an image. Soft, dreamy bokeh evokes a sense of romance, tranquility, or even nostalgia. Harsher, more defined bokeh can add a touch of edginess or drama. Think of a portrait taken at night with string lights in the background. The way those lights render as soft, glowing orbs can completely transform the mood of the image, making it feel magical and ethereal. It’s all about creating a feeling.
Then there’s artistic expression. Bokeh allows you to express your creativity and add a personal touch to your photographs. You can experiment with different lenses, aperture settings, and shooting techniques to achieve different bokeh effects. Some lenses are known for their particularly pleasing bokeh, like those with a high number of aperture blades which leads to rounder, smoother out-of-focus highlights. It’s a way to stamp your unique visual signature on your work.
Finally, good bokeh simply elevates the overall aesthetic of your photographs. It makes them look more polished, professional, and visually appealing. It’s the equivalent of adding a dash of spice to a dish — it enhances the flavors and makes the whole thing more enjoyable. It gives the image a sense of depth and dimensionality that flat, in-focus images often lack. It subtly says, “This isn’t just a snapshot; this is art!”