For starters, bokeh is based on the Japanese word, “boke,” which means fuzziness, or uncertainty. From that is derived bokeh’s photographic definition, which is also a bit fuzzy. Bokeh refers to the condition, or impression, of the areas of a photo that are not in focus. It doesn’t measure the degree to which these areas are not in focus. Instead, it is the nature, or the quality, of the blur created by these areas that are not in focus. (You may want to pause and read this paragraph again before proceeding because there will be more fuzzy ideas to absorb.)
Bokeh and Your Lens
Every camera lens is different in many ways: focal length, speed, etc. Another characteristic of every lens is spherical aberration. When light waves enter your lens, some are moving through the center of the many glass elements in the lens. Other light waves are striking near the edges of the elements. The glass elements have spherical surfaces, but they are not perfect. Each has minute imperfections. The spherical nature of the glass and the imperfections cause the light waves near the edge of the glass to focus shorter than the light waves entering at the center. This spherical aberration will create blurring in your photos. Spherical aberration is not constant; so any differences will affect how your lens depicts a point of light not in focus, or the point’s bokeh.
Now, imagine the light waves entering your lens after they have passed through all the glass elements, or are behind the lens. If your lens were perfect, then it would gather all the points of light into cones. If the single point at the end of the cone coincides with the surface of the sensor, then the part of the image represented by the cone of light is considered in focus. If the single point is in front of the sensor or “behind” it, then that part of your image is not in focus. Instead of a point registering on the sensor, a cross-section of the cone, or a circle, represents the light. This circle is often known as the "blur circle," or "circle of confusion." (How appropriate!)
If you’re lens were perfect (with no spherical aberration), then this blur circle would appear as evenly illuminated and with a well-defined border. You don’t want this border because the optimum bokeh would display each point as a blur, with no distinct edges. If the circles had sharp perimeters, then the parts of your picture that you don’t want in focus (to blur on purpose) would start to become unintentionally clear.
As mentioned above, all lenses have spherical aberration and are, therefore, not perfect, so it causes the circles to appear with inconsistent illumination. Typically, more of the light can be seen in the middle of the circle or near the edges.
The Bokeh Spectrum
Although bokeh cannot be measured, it can be described according to a spectrum of its quality or character.
Inferior bokeh: This is the sharp-edged circle with a muted center.
Perfect bokeh: From a purely scientific point of view, this bokeh is perfect because the circle is equally illuminated and the border is distinct. Of course, you don’t want perfect bokeh.
Correct bokeh: The border of the circle is hazy, which is caused by spherical aberration. The imperfections of the lens surface actually create the best bokeh and better digital photos.
Learn more about bokeh in Part 2 of this PhotographyTalk.com article.
Recommended Reading:
- Photography and the Art of Seeing: A Visual Perception Workshop for Film and Digital Photography
- The Photographer's Mind: Creative Thinking for Better Digital Photos
- Take Your Best Shot: Essential Tips & Tricks for Shooting Amazing Photos
- Photo Op: 52 Inspirational Projects for the Adventurous Image-maker
- Picture Perfect Practice: A Self-Training Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Taking World-Class Photographs (Voices That Matter)
- Light Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting