{"id":4875,"date":"2015-11-08T04:00:37","date_gmt":"2015-11-08T10:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tkahler.com\/blog\/?p=4875"},"modified":"2020-12-22T14:00:54","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T20:00:54","slug":"soft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tkahler.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/soft\/","title":{"rendered":"Soft"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have discussed the importance of soft backgrounds on some of my posts. In photography, this is sometimes referred to as Bokeh<\/a>. Bokeh\u00a0is the aesthetic quality of the blur visible\u00a0in the out-of-focus parts of an image. Aperture\u00a0is the main camera setting used by photographers to control a\u00a0soft background. I thought it would be useful to provide some examples so that we can compare the differences in an image with different aperture settings.<\/p>\n

I was visiting the LBJ Wildflower Center<\/a> earlier this year when I spotted this pod. I was trying to get the entire pod in focus while blurring the background. \u00a0So, I photographed the subject using a variety of aperture settings. The image on the left was photographed using an aperture of f\/2.8 (very large lens opening) while the one on the right was photographed using an aperture of f\/32 (very small lens opening). You can see that larger lens openings yield a softer background while smaller openings yield more background\u00a0in focus. This is also referred to as\u00a0Depth of Field<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Soft\"<\/a>
Aperture Setting Impact<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The aperture numbering system is very confusing so I thought that a graphic depicting the numbers and the simulated aperture openings would be helpful. Larger apertures let in more light but have a shallower depth of field. Smaller apertures let in less light but have a greater depth of field.<\/p>\n

\"Aperture\"
Aperture Settings & Depth of Field Impact<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This image was taken with my Canon EOS 5D Mark III<\/a> using my Canon EF 100mm f\/2.8L Macro Lens<\/a>. The camera was set on Aperture priority<\/a> mode with the aperture set at f\/2.8, f\/10 and f\/32 respectively. Shutter speeds were at 1\/320, 1\/25 and 0.4 seconds. ISO was set at 100 for all three images. I created the Triptych in Photoshop.<\/p>\n

This image is best when viewed large. Click on the image to enlarge it. Please use the section below to post your comments, questions or suggestions.<\/p>\n

\"T<\/a>
\n\u00a9 2015 T. Kahler Photography<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have discussed the importance of soft backgrounds on some of my posts. 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