What is Bokeh in Photography?
Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image, especially noticeable in backgrounds. It’s not just “blur” — good bokeh is smooth, creamy, and visually pleasing, while bad bokeh can be harsh or distracting. Bokeh happens when a lens renders points of light, and it varies depending on things like aperture shape and depth of field. Photographers love bokeh for drawing attention to a subject without shouting.
Why Bokeh Isn’t Just Background Blur
Not all blur is created equal. Bokeh refers specifically to how the out-of-focus areas look — not just that they’re out of focus. Some lenses create round, buttery light balls; others make edgy, angular blobs. Bokeh becomes especially noticeable when you're shooting with a prime lens at a wide aperture like f/1.8 or f/2.0, where the subject pops and everything else melts into soft light.
How to Create Bokeh Intentionally
You don’t need a fancy setup to achieve solid bokeh — but a fast lens helps. Use a wide aperture, place your subject away from the background, and shoot with some distance between you and the subject. The farther that background is, the dreamier the bokeh. Bonus tip: string lights, reflections, or backlit leaves make excellent bokeh creators.
Good vs. Bad Bokeh (Yep, There’s a Difference)
Not all bokeh is flattering. Good bokeh is smooth, soft, and doesn’t pull focus. Bad bokeh? Think jittery, double-lined edges or hexagonal highlights that distract more than they help. The shape of the lens aperture blades influences this — rounder blades usually = nicer bokeh. If you're experimenting with backlighting, you'll often see bokeh show up in the form of glowing light balls behind your subject.