How to do bokeh with 18–55mm lens(kit lens)
Bokeh effect is to blur out the background of the subject. Using bokeh we can create a smooth background and make subject standout.(shallow depth of field).
The factors that affect the depth of field are
- Aperture (f-stop)
- Focal length of the lens on your camera
- Distance from the subject to the camera
Note : You can get basic idea of how exposure triangle(Aperture ,shutterspeed, ISO) works here.
Achieving Bokeh in Your Images
we want to use a lens with at least an f/2.8 aperture, with faster apertures of f/2, f/1.8 or f/1.4 being ideal. Many photographers use prime lens to achieve bokeh. But its, possible to achieve bokeh effect using kit lens also. Lets see how we can do it.
Aperture:
Aperture is the opening in the lens, the amount of light that enters. To achieve we must keep the aperture to lowest possible number.
The below photos are taken at two different apertures.Image in the left is shot with a larger aperture number and the right with a smaller aperture number.
You can see that more light that you let you in, the background becomes blurry(left to right). I have shot the images using 18–55mm kit lens.
Focal Length
Focal length also play a major role in creating a blurry background. Most of the kit lens are provided with 18–55mm (3.5–5.6f).Images zoomed all the way upto 55mm will create a more blurrier background.
Distance from the subject to the camera
Move closer to the subject to enhance the bokeh effect. You might have zoomed to 55mm but also moving closer to the subject also helps in creating a smooth bokeh
Background
You must place your subject such that the background is as far as possible. If the subject is immovable move closer with the camera which makes the background far away.
Its possible to take stunning bokeh photos with kit lens , if we consider all the above factors.Thanks for reading.
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