The background bokeh of an image can have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic quality of an image.
One definition of bokeh is “the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light”. It has also been defined as “the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image produced by a particular lens”. Bokeh occurs in portions of the image that lie outside the depth of field. The quality of the bokeh is largely a function of lens design (number and shape of blades in the aperture for example) so some lenses produce blurring that tends to be distracting, harsh or unpleasant – “bad bokeh”, while others produce bokeh that is more pleasing to the eye.
Bokeh is particularly important to bird and nature photographers because of their tendency to use long telephoto lenses for wild and shy subjects. Because these types of lenses produce shallow depth of field a significant portion of an image taken by them are typically out-of-focus.
The Canon 500 f/4 lens is known for its smooth, pleasant bokeh and I’ve been the recipient of its pleasing backgrounds for years from both the older and the new versions of that lens.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
This image is an example. I photographed this Willet 10 months ago on Antelope Island as it looked over a mix of green and dead foliage in the background from an elevated rock perch. I really like how the lens rendered the background elements, from the extremely out of focus areas at top to the somewhat sharper green and brown vegetation at lower left. It gives the image a wispy, almost ephemeral quality that appeals to me. I often see that same quality in the images taken with my newer version of that lens, the Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM.
Canon isn’t the only manufacturer to make telephoto lenses with pleasing bokeh and to further complicate matters evaluating bokeh is a subjective endeavor that to some degree depends on taste. But I encourage budding nature photographers to pay attention to your depth-of-field and to the resulting bokeh produced by your lenses and the settings you choose.
Doing so can make a significant positive difference in your photography.
Ron
PS – Speaking of Willets, a note to local birders and photographers. The Willets have finally arrived on Antelope Island! Yesterday morning I saw about a half-dozen of them in flight and perched on various rocks and bushes. I never did get any photos of them but I’ll sure be trying in the near future…
The composition of this shot is so pleasing to my eye, Ron. I love the brown plant that draws my eye down then back to the bird with the side spiky things stopping me. It’s just great.
Wonderful shot and interesting info.
Charlotte
The soft bokeh background in this image makes it perfect! Such a “3D” effect, really. I love your photography, by the way. I just don’t comment too often but I see your posts on a daily basis.
Beautiful image Ron. I too love the mix of background colors that give an artistic suggestion of the background foliage and the detail of the grass in the foreground giving a sense of depth. Very nice.
Good point about the grasses providing depth, Ed. Thank you.
Beautiful bokeh. Beautiful bird. Win/win.
Thank you.
Thanks, EC.
I really like the many colors and the subtle way they are rendered by the bokeh. An excellent background for the willet! Beautiful shot!
Thank you, Jane.
I really like the background here, too. Because it is mostly very soft, it actually doesn’t hurt my eyes, the way so many blurred backgrounds do. It really makes the bird stand out well. I spend a lot of time at the beach watching Willets in the summer. Always an enjoyable pastime.
“It really makes the bird stand out well”
That’s precisely why the shallow DOF of telephoto lenses tends to work so well with bird images, Susan. It sets the subject apart from the background.
Love everything about this image…the bird itself, the direction of the spikey foliage behind it, the soft, rosy blend of colors in the backgrounf, the delicate, lacy foliage in front, beautiful!!!
I’m glad you like the image so much, Patty and appreciate that you told me precisely why. Thank you.
Beautiful photo Ron!
Thank you, Jean.