Bokeh

Bokeh in a photographic context means out of focus areas in a photograph.

The result is that one part of the photograph is clear and sharp and other
usually less important areas are blurred. Faces and flowers are good subjects for this treatment.

 Bokkeh effects on natural photographs are achieved by adjusting lens aperture or using a telephoto lens. Bokeh images can also be produced by using a mask on the lens, or manipulating the image digitally.

 An example of a flower taken with a telephoto zoom lens. Standing close to the subject and zooming in (keeping aperture open to the max in this case f4) brings the subject into sharp focus and blurring the background.

 The original Japanese verb “bokeru” (惚ける) has two meanings: (1) to grow senile, dull or forgetful in one’s thinking and (2) out of focus as in a blurred photograph.

 An artist may blur parts of a painting to create the same effect.

 A collection of bokeh pictures is at http://desizntech.info/2009/06/70-amazing-bokeh-photography-wallpapers-and-tutorials/

Canon 5D 70-200m 1/1250 sec f4 Kaohsiung 100118

New directions

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Inspired by Galleria d'Arte de Kimiyo, this blog goes in a new direction.

o2jottings becomes the column addressing such questions as, "Why take photographs?" ... "What is this photo trying to tell us?" ..."Is the photograph succeeding in informing us, or making us feel something?"

wh5 takes over as the blog dedicated to conversation analysis.

Today, out on Mount Takao, after I'd taken a picture of sakura in full bloom with only the sakura in focus, one of the party asked me to take a picture of a branch of  sakura but to include maple leaves hanging behind it.

Picture 1: taken at f4, sakura in clear focus, with a maple leaf bokeh behind it.

Picture2: taken at f22, both sakura and maple in clear focus because of deep depth of field (DOF).

Picture 1 separates the sakura from the maple leaf background and draws our attention to the sakura.

Picture 2 has an abundant green background but loses the sakura.

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