I followed some instructions on how to get a blurred background and found it worked with a bit of effort. The directions said to focus on a close subject using the zoom lens and a higher fstop. I tried it with a low fstop and it didn't work. I haven't worked out yet - is a low aperture low in numbers or just light? A high aperture - high in number (like F22) or high in allowing more light in?
Beautiful colours Maggie! Set the fstop in the single numbers ie 4 or 5 or even lower if you can and then zoom on a singular object in front of you; because you create a shallow depth of field by setting the number in the singulars the camera will focus on what you have in front of you and thereby turning the rest into blur and bookeh. Try sparying some water in the background of a flower for example and that way you might even get some flares if you're in the sun. Might give it a try myself in a few mins :))) will keep you updated :))))
@frida Thank you Frida, most helpful! This is what I read recently: Blurring backgrounds is easier with a telephoto lens than it is with a wide angle lens. Set your camera aperture on f/8 or lower, zoom the lens out to its longest focal length, and get as close to the subject as possible while still being able to focus. You also need to ensure as much distance as possible between the subject and any background elements. You won't see any blur if the subject is against a brick wall.
Looks to me like you got great bokeh in this photo. It is quite lovely. I think the smaller f-stop, like say f4, will produce a shallower depth of field or more blur. That is what I always follow and it usually works. A small f-stop means a large aperture opening, a large f-stop is a small aperture opening. A large aperature opening will produce a smaller depth of field or a smaller area of focus. It really does all seem backwards, doesn't it.
You did great, Maggiemae! Do you have an AV setting on your camera? I use this pretty often for background bokeh. Usually my f-stop is around 5 when shooting this way.
@jankoos I don't have a interchangeable lens camera - its fixed. I do have an A setting but it still chooses only about two options for the scene! I can't actually set the one I want and this is why using the zoom seems to help vary the aperture.
I just user auto Maggiemae so no good asking me.......I did do a manual one last week but I usually let the camera do the work....it worked well all the same can't get more DOF than that plus bokeh! !
