Achieving some great DOF/Bokeh

Scottynoooo

Scottynoooo

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Scott
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Hi guys.

This week I purchased myself a Nikon fit 28-70 F2.8. Now I purchased this as general lens for a lot of portrate work. But I would love to achieve some great DOF from my images.

This is where I come stuck because I know the lower the F value the better the DOF will be but how do I maximise the use of the lens? I appreciate a lot of it comes down to having an eye for the shot.

But I'm wanting to know the technical side. What I need to do with the camera? What mode do I shoot in and how do I get the best DOF/bokeh.

Scott
 
For max big bokeh, lens at 70mm, f/2.8, subject as far from the background as possible and really fill the frame.
 
HoppyUK said:
For max big bokeh, lens at 70mm, f/2.8, subject as far from the background as possible and really fill the frame.
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Ok thank you for your time. Could you explain what you mean by fill the frame?

I'm sorry if this is a much asked question and I'm aware of google etc etc but I'd rather it explained from the pros.
 
Basically get the subject as close to the camera as you can based upon the shot/frame you want from that photo and have the subject as far away from the background as you can, that will maximise you DoF (Depth of Field) or boken

Hope this helps :thumbs: it can be tricky to get you head around ;)

Matt
MWHCVT
 
Yes, at Matt says.

To explain a bit more, subject as far from the background as poss creates the maximum focus differential between the subject and background. Lens at longest focal length narrows the field of view and 'enlarges' the background relative to the subject. Lowest f/number for shallowest depth of field. Filling the frame (moving close) makes the subject as big as possible, for shallowest DoF (and also max IQ).
 
Right I'm with you. Thank you for the explanations guys. Is there any more to it? Or it as simple as explained?
 
Scottynoooo said:
Right I'm with you. Thank you for the explanations guys. Is there any more to it? Or it as simple as explained?
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I can't add any more, maybe there is no more :thinking:

Best advice I can give is to set your camera on a tripod, focus on a static object and take a photograph from your lowest to highest f number to the highest f number.

Post the results.

You'll soon 'get it'.

Cheers.
 
Scottynoooo said:
Hi guys.

This week I purchased myself a Nikon fit 28-70 F2.8. Now I purchased this as general lens for a lot of portrate work. But I would love to achieve some great DOF from my images.

This is where I come stuck because I know the lower the F value the better the DOF will be but how do I maximise the use of the lens? I appreciate a lot of it comes down to having an eye for the shot.

But I'm wanting to know the technical side. What I need to do with the camera? What mode do I shoot in and how do I get the best DOF/bokeh.

Scott
Click to expand...

Hi Scott,

You've already received some good tips and explanations, so I won't repeat them.

To give yourself the best control over your image set the camera to "A" (Aperture Priority) mode. This will allow you to control the depth of field via the aperture and leave the camera to work out the shutter speed needed for correct exposure. Keep an eye on the speed it chooses to prevent motion blurr and camera shake - rule of thumb is 1/focal length is the slowest speed you can reliably hand-hold.

Good luck :)

PS: The temptation is to try to use f/2.8 all the time to get the resuts you want but bear in mind that your lens is likely to be a bit soft up to about 1 or 1 1/2 stops above this.
 
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Thank you all for your time. I'm itching for this rain to stop so I can get out and get some shots :)
 
Scottynoooo said:
Thank you all for your time. I'm itching for this rain to stop so I can get out and get some shots :)
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Same here, I only bought my 550d a week ago and im itching to get out there to have a play with it, i will try some of this on my 50mm 1.8 :)

Regards
Shaun
 
Scottynoooo said:
Thank you all for your time. I'm itching for this rain to stop so I can get out and get some shots :)
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Rain, RAIN.......sheesh, I was out in the garden last night in the pouring rain with an umbrella......didn't get much but I was looking to use the rain to good effect.....

(Disclaimer: I accept no responsibility for damage caused to cameras, camera accesories or photographers who follow my advice...:D)
 
posiview said:
Rain, RAIN.......sheesh, I was out in the garden last night in the pouring rain with an umbrella......didn't get much but I was looking to use the rain to good effect.....

(Disclaimer: I accept no responsibility for damage caused to cameras, camera accesories or photographers who follow my advice...:D)
Click to expand...

I'm glad I'm not they only one out in the rain with a camera, though I try and avoid it ;)
 
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