Creating bokeh

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sammyc85

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Samantha
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So I purchased my first DSLR a few weeks back and creative photography is sorta my thing. I love the light trails and the bokeh. I bought a cheap set of fairy lights from pounds and and tried my first shot last night, but to me it seemed grainy???
I'd like to know what setting would be best for a dark shot bokeh ? I can't remember what I used, I'm still getting used to setting up my camera! Proper little noob here lol

Also would it help if I uploaded the image and settings?
 
I'm not sure tbh lol. I'll get my picture uploaded onto the laptop later this afternoon as I mainly use the iPad to come on here, that way I can see all the settings used.
I have a Nikon app on here and I tried to be more creative by using card to make shapes rather than the circles ( don't think I had the card close enough to the lens though)
 
Samanthas Shot
8232783494_06cd155483_z.jpg
 
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i'm confused as to what you're trying to do.
I like the effect, if you're trying to recreate a look...
but the bokeh are the artifacts that you see in the bit of the photograph that is out of focus.
ideally for this you need a very wide aperture (small number).
Matthew's example above really showcases this imho
 
Well to me it seems rather grainy?? I'm just after perfect settings so I can experiment more with objects in the picture too.. I sawa great bokeh shot where a lady looked like she was blowing bubbles but the "bubbles" were bokeh lights!
 
IIRC he borrowed the wine from a neighbour for the shot?
 
sammyc85 said:
thank you :) what a beautiful photo!
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Thanks Sam

Nawty said:
25th anniversary and you bought Turner Road Chardonnay? cheapskate! :p
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See Below Ned, No Ned we had champagne and a romantic meal on the beach, in Sri Lanka, with Chef and Waiter in attendance, for our 25th anniversary, so not a cheapskate :D that was 12yrs ago, I did this shot for a competition entry it came 2nd :)

DTS said:
IIRC he borrowed the wine from a neighbour for the shot?
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Near Dan I got the bottle from my neighbour and used weak tea to fill it :thumbs:
 
Ah close enough eh Dave!
 
sammyc85 said:
thank you :) what a beautiful photo!
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Bit of my set up

Manual Mode
Exposure 1/5 sec
Aperture f/1.8
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100

my Christmas tree was about 8ft behind the bottle, my camera was about just over 3 ft in front of the bottle, I switch the light off, lit the candle, I focused on the glasses, checked my exposure, put it into manual focus, and took the shot :thumbs: have fun :thumbs:

Edit I didnt use any flash
 
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I use aperture priority and a wide aperture.. usually go for a low ISO but found this one on flickr where I used ISO 800 as the room was quite dark.. 50mm lens at 1.4 is pretty good in low light and gives nice bokeh too

its behind you.. by michy66, on Flickr

my lens of choice would usually be the 50mm but this was using a tamron 90mm at f3.2, sold that and do regret it slightly.. but was only using it for still life so was a waste.. Christmas lights in the background are great for bokeh.. have fun trying :)

santa hats.. by michy66, on Flickr

I find if you have something to focus on in the foreground and leave plenty of distance between yourself and the lights you get good results, if just shooting lights i'll switch lens to manual and shoot OOF :)
 
Just Dave said:
Thanks Sam



See Below Ned, No Ned we had champagne and a romantic meal on the beach, in Sri Lanka, with Chef and Waiter in attendance, for our 25th anniversary, so not a cheapskate :D that was 12yrs ago, I did this shot for a competition entry it came 2nd :)



Near Dan I got the bottle from my neighbour and used weak tea to fill it :thumbs:
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Well congratulations you romantic so and so.

Funnily enough I was in Sri Lanka around the same time - lovely place :)
 
I think I'll have to up in the loft later to get the lights out!

Incidentally we did Club Dolphin Hotel last year.
 
Tulipone said:
Incidentally we did Club Dolphin Hotel last year.
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Did you meet Beach boy John and his brother Blacky great lads, just been looking and they still have the old tree stump and roots, they still had it on our last visit, this is it on our 30th wedding anniversary, we went our 30 as well, as 30 is pearl anniversary and Sri lanka is the Pearl of the orient, here it is saluting the sun, I got Julie a beautiful pearl necklace from the jewellery shop adjacent to dolphin at the side of the fish restaurant, shame as it got stolen in Goa this year


Tree Saluting The Sunset On The Beach, Waikkal Village, Sri Lanka by Just Daves Photos, on Flickr
 
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