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Little more than half a year ago, I published a guide to create your own bokeh. This guide provides a simple technique to shape the bokeh of the unfocused elements in your picture.
Here are the best 6 pictures that employed this technique, courtesy of DIYPhotography readers. I was glad to find creativity both in the shapes used (guess what? Hearts wins the jackpot) and the creativity using this technique.
Picture 1 by joy_sale - use interesting bokeh where not expected - a nightly portrait.
Picture 2 by JoshuaRaymund - Match the bokeh shape to the picture shape.
Picture 3 by _barb_ - Put butterflies in a forest
Picture 4 by Navin Shetty - Take a lovely nightscape.
Picture 5 by JoshuaRaymund - crate stars shaped bokeh.
Picture 6 by silkegb - Make a sweet picture with a before and after look.
Made a cool bokeh of your own? Let us know by showing off in the comments section.
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Related links:
- Create Your Own Bokeh
- DIYPhotograpy.net flickr stream
Comments
Playing around
I was recently playing around with this, heres what I came up with:




Beautiful shots, are you
Beautiful shots, are you willing to share exactly how you achieved these?
Amazing!
I've tested it this night.. and the results are wonderfull!!
Great idea! =)
I've also tried to build my one reversing ring for macro, but it didn't went the great!! I've cut a finger with a knife...!! I guess i've learned the hard way to be carefull! eheheh!! =)
Thank You for sharing this information...!!
I've tried to build my one Mini bouncer for flash, with k-line and golden spray...! The results are warmer pictures.. if you calibrate the WB to the golden exposure, the background (if were photographing in daylight!) goes blue, wich creates an interesting color in the final result...!
you can check the results at http://www.flickr.com/camil0
Hugs!!
Any hopes of achieving this
Any hopes of achieving this with a point & shoot?
Sadly, no. Point and shoot
Sadly, no.
Point and shoot cameras use such a small sensor that their depth of field is nearly infinite. They pretty much just don't produce bokeh whatsoever, so this technique won't work with them I'm afraid. I suppose you can always try though. All you have to lose is 2 cents and a few minutes of time.
I've tried.........
Fantastic, simple and very funny.
BOKEH
This was easy as pie and fun!! I am amazed at the ease of this. Now I'm inspired to do more, a lot more with this thing you call Bokeh :)
I am posting my first attempt at it!! Dont laugh :)
Great hearts, Pixi
nothing to laugh about.
I payed a visit to your site. Lovley! I loved the Bethany shots.
- udi
new links to my bokeh!
Thanks udi, I really like all the info I am getting from this web site, it is so helpful!!
I had 2 pictures posted on flickr.com but I needed to repost them so I deleted the above pics but here they are again, in full size!!
Bokeh at the Dollar Store
Try the dollar store for some pre made single hole punchers. I got a heart, star, moon, diamond/square, butterfly, and what I think is a 5 petal flower.... all for a dollar each...beats trying to cut them by hand, which I am not very good at.
Dollar Store Hole Punchers?
I'd love to know which dollar store and where? We have a number of them in NYC. Of course I've never thought to look for such a thing. It would be cool to find one of these hole punchers.
I'm also wonder if it may be possible to make such a lens hood to fit around the zoom lens of my P&S Kodak Z712 IS camera.
Does the light just bounce around the inside of the hood to produce these multiple shapes in the photos?
lens hood
@Paul
It's not the light bouncing around, it's only the shape of the hole you cut/punch in the paper. You don't need a hood, just a piece of paper cut to pretty much the exact size. If you have a filter for your lens (UV or Skylight, or anything basically) you can trace around that to get your diameter. Bokeh is a term that describes the unfocused elements in the picture, that's why the subject can be in focus and only the background elements will take the shape of your cutout. Lenses with fewer iris blades or is it diaphragm blades will be less "round" and create rougher out of focus elements. I'll see if I can dig up a link to some pics showing the difference. Some people obsess over it while most people don't even know what it is even when it's pointed out.
This fun project is like "custom bokeh" and while I haven't tried it yet, I will soon!
Will this work with video cameras?
I have a video camera that has a f1.8 aperture, though the imager is much smaller than digital SLR.
While the custom bokeh works with my SLR lens, when I try with my camcorder, it is only a vignette. Has anyone successfully tried this on a camcorder? Or any ideas as to how I can get it work?
I'm using a Canon HV20, by the way, if that's of any help.
Thanks,
Peter
I will try this
This is an awesome effect. What a neat way to add information and emotion to a photo. As asked above, I am most interested if this will work with video, and I bet that it will. I will be trying it out. Thanks for the good work everyone!
is it essential
is it essential to have a 50mm f1.8 lens to achieve this effect?
how do you do those shot on
how do you do those shot on bokeh? to have a sharp subject in the foreground, and get the heart-shaped bokeh?
Heart shaped Bokeh
Hi Timonty,
Look at this article for the complete shaped bokeh tutorial.
- udi
Just a question
i havent really tried this technique, i just want to know if this will work with an aperture of 3.5? i have the nikor dx 18-135. thanks :)
Here's what I have.... Used
Here's what I have....

Used a star as the shape and the flash from my camera to enlighten my subject....
Water Drop & Bokeh Love by ME :)
Thanks for the great tips, this is one of my bokeh love that i've done, you can view more on my flickr photostream by clicking the image...

Very Nice and Clean
How do you create such high quality pictures like that? I am trying to get into this alittle bit but unclear as to which direction to go! I am going to bookmark your site for future reference, keep up the good work!
This is awesome!
I was wondering what to do with my 50mm when I bumped into this. Simply loving it!
wow
they're indeed very beautiful. Looks very professional and crisp. Any other secrets you can share?
re: secrets
We revealed all the secrets here: Removing The Mystery From The Heart Shaped Bokeh Thing
Lamp Bokeh
I just chanced upon this webpage, very nice, I did this for Diwali - the festival of lights!!
Thanks for your Overview
Yes, babies take half your brain with them - which means I have none left....
I don't know how you do it but your flower bokeh shots are simply amazing. Definitely FP.
It's great - i finally made
It's great - i finally made mine and had a go with it tonight - here is my butterflies jumping out of fireworks!

inspiring
I quickly tried it last night and am hooked. Its so easy this time of year because you can shoot holiday lights at night for a great effect. Thanks for the inspiration!
This was my first attempt...
Open Office Draw for Bokehs
I am using Open Office's Draw application (free! & excellent) for making the Bokehs. It has a multitude of pre-made shapes - stars, etc. Here is a sample file in open office draw's native format:
http://www.catmtn.com/temp/bokeh_sample.odg
...and another with a custom star and and improved heart shape:
http://www.catmtn.com/temp/bokeh_sample-2.odg
Simply resize the shape and/or the circle, for your lens, center the shape in the circle (select the circle then the shape, then use the centering buttons), print on high quality paper and cut out. One might also give the white side a shot of flat black spray paint, after cutting.
Thankz!! to all contributors to this idea - likely the coolest thing I have come across since immersing myself in photography.
Updates for these files
There are now updates for these files with many more shapes, including templates for Cokin P sized covers; all available here:
http://www.catmtn.com/blaug/?p=293
heres mine...
i used the logo of a snowboard-factory i often do pictures for... first try but quite nice i guess...
thanks for sharing this idea!!!
confused
this sounds like a great idea, i'll have to try this this weekend.. but i'm having a hard time figuring out how your camera can take a picture when the front end is covered up with the exception of the heart shaped cut out.
wouldnt the majority of the picture come out black, b/c it's blocked. It will probably make more sense if i just go ahead and do it rather than sit here and theorize about it. =)
Does it have to be a 50 mm lense that you use
I'm curious....... Does this only work with a 50 mm lense or is there any other lenses that it will work with?
thank you!
50mm is best
a 50mm lens is the best for two reasons. a) they're the cheapest way to get a wide aperture, and therefore a blurred background with a sharp foreground and b) they're usually physically shallow, and the shaped bokeh effect is best when the cutout is close to the center of the lens, lengthwise, so taping a shape to the front of the lens will vignette a bit but not much. All light passes through the center focal point of a lens, where the aperture blades are located. The closer to that point, the better.
Do you need a fast speed
Do you need a fast speed film when doing this?
Useing a Cokin for a bokeh!
So I've recently had the idea of using my Cokin filter system (www.cokin.com) for a custom bokeh holder! Just cut some black card stock to the right size, find the center (this is MUCH easier on a square shape than a circle), cut or punch the bokeh shape, insert. "Lather, Rinse, Repeat. It's that easy"
Great Idea! ; )
Scroll up a few posts in this thread and have a look at my posts, about the same.
Here's my shot at it:
I initially made one of these a while ago, but then decided to bring it out again because it's a great and easy way to impress girls. Thanks, DIYP!
I have been experimenting to
I have been experimenting to get this to work on my FF SLR, but I need a bigger cutout. Great fun though!
a couple of mine
Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville, FL
Santa
Interesting..
This just gave some new insights. We all know that Canon's 50MM 1.8 II creates ugly bokeh (not a perfect circle, but rather a pentagon). So if I make something like this in the shape of a perfect circle, in effect, it should correct the 50MM's bokeh?
Aside from that, will there be no light loss?
Thanks!
-Francis
Love it!
I rigged up one that looks a lil more presentable with added cost
Here is my shots
More at my photoblog ----> http://www.my-cameras-pov.blogspot.com
Amazing
These are amazing pictures and a great way to add character to your photos. I can't wait to get out there and try some pictures like this.
a 50mm lens is the best for
a 50mm lens is the best for two reasons. a) they're the cheapest way to get a wide aperture, and therefore a blurred background with a sharp foreground and b) they're usually physically shallow, and the shaped bokeh effect is best when the cutout is close to the center of the lens, lengthwise, so taping a shape to the front of the lens will vignette a bit but not much.
Can I get bokeh with my Minolta X-7A?
Hi! I have a film based camera. It is a Minolta X-7A and I recently purchased a 28mm-210mm F3.5 macro/zoom lens for it. Do you think it will be possible to achieve the same type of bokeh in my photographs? Will I be able to attach the heart cut-outs to the lens? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am very new to photography and a big fan of bokeh. Thanks!
Does this work with a fixed
Does this work with a fixed lens camera, b/c i want to get the FujiFilm FinePix s2000hd, anyone help me?
suggestion
Hi Guys
Thanks for the ideas
How about using a lens cap with a hole in it which is bigger than you need, then just stick a piece of black paper with your cutout/ stencil over the top?
This would enable you to focus as well
Dan
Man...I still dont get this
I wonder if its my lens as I have a 18-55mm f/3.5. I want a photo with the clear object in the front and the beautiful bokeh in the background. What am I doing wrong. Should I have the focus on manual?? I need a step by step guide I think!!
1) turn on camera
2) point it in the right direction...... LOL
thank you to anyone that can help me
Angela
I have been trying all day
I have been trying all day with my 18-200mm f/3,5 and it does not work. All I get is a heart shaped vignet.
I really thing you need a 55mm lense. I WANT ONE NOW!!! ;)
I see that one of the pages say this is a great bokeh lense: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005LEN4/ref=ord_cart_sh...
I'm just afraid it's a little to cheap.
re: 50mm price
The price sounds tight. It's a great value for money lens
Thanks!
This site is great, just found it. The tips are awesome and I can't wait to try them out.
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