DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Bokeh or Nokeh – What Is Your Preference (and Does It Really Matter)?

Aug 30, 2018 by JP Danko 6 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Coffee mug on a weathered cottage dock in early morning on summer day.

So I’m down at the dock at the cottage and I decided that I wanted to snap a photo of my coffee to post a fairly typical, quick and easy Instagram banger.

Since the purpose of this photo was straight to social, I arranged the composition and then pulled out my phone to snap the picture (because why would a manufacturer build a camera with Android to be able to do this on an actual camera…).

After snapping the photo, I decided that it actually looked pretty decent – nice enough that I had to run back up to the cottage to grab my DSLR with an 85mm f/1.4…because, well, you know…bokeh.

Obviously, my mobile phone snapshot has zero bokeh. It’s also wide angle and on a tiny sensor compared to a full frame DSLR with an 85mm f/1.4 – but that’s beside the point.

Looking at both images side by side, I actually kind of like the mobile phone snapshot better…

In this context, I think the details of the weathered wood, the ripples in the lake and the surface of the coffee and the rim of the mug both being in focus just looks a little more interesting.

Although, I still like the separation between subject and background you get with a full frame DLSR and an 85mm.

Here are the two photos for comparison:

Coffee mug on a weathered cottage dock in early morning on summer day.Coffee mug on a weathered cottage dock in early morning on summer day.

Now obviously the composition and processing of these two photos are a little different (the mobile phone image was processed with Snapseed on my phone for social media, the DSLR image was processed with Lightroom on my desktop for stock), but what I really found interesting is the idea that for me to capture a high-quality image, I had to use an 85m lens wide open at f/1.4 for maximum bokeh.

With Nikon’s release of the full frame mirrorless Z6 and Z7 cameras with a brand new Z mount system specifically designed to allow for new ultra-fast lenses (like the just announced Nikon 58mm f/0.95 Noct lens scheduled to be released in 2019), the quest for bokeh is a trend that camera manufacturers are obviously banking on too.

Bokeh or Nokeh – What’s Your Preference?

What do you think – is the quest for the ultimate bokeh real, hype or does it really matter at all?

My personal opinion is that images captured with high quality fast prime lenses with good quality bokeh almost always look better than snapshots with a kit lens.

It’s not always an obvious difference, but you can’t deny that you get a pro-look from pro glass.

However, full frame cameras and fast lenses are expensive, and the creativity and skill of the photographer are going to be much more important than any piece of gear for any image.

But what do you think?

Is it the glass or is it the photographer?

Do you prefer a nice shallow depth of field, or do you want to see crystal clear details from foreground to horizon?

Does it really matter if you’re just compressing all of that detail into a tiny social media jpg?

Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Gear Does Matter, But Not How You Thought It Does What does bit depth even mean? And does it matter? This is why gear DOES matter in photography Does gear really matter?

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: best lens, bokeh, Camera Gear, Creative Bokeh, Fast lens

About JP Danko

JP Danko is a commercial photographer based in Toronto, Canada. JP
can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.

To see more of his work please visit his studio website blurMEDIAphotography, or follow him on Twitter, 500px, Google Plus or YouTube.

JP’s photography is available for licensing at Stocksy United.

« Sony may announce “Mini A9” APS-C camera at Photokina
Samsung announces the new X5 super fast 2.8GB/sec external SSD »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Sony almost joined team Micro Four Thirds in 2008
  • Photographer’s Block? Here’s how to get out of a creative rut
  • Zhiyun MOLUS G60 & X100 LED lights are tiny-tiny powerful LEDs
  • Three new full-frame and APS-C Sigma lenses coming soon
  • Sony launches DSC-HX99 retinal projection kit for the visually impaired

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy