El Bokeh Wall!

I started my first 365 project in flickr with a 365 Days Bokeh Project. After awhile playing with Christmas lights with bokeh, I tried thinking of a new bokeh background.

I tried using plastic bottles and different reflective materials for the background until I ended up with using a very simple material found in the kitchen which gave such an amazing result. Aluminum foil.

I have seen many people also using this technique but I just wanted to share how I do mine. I call it “The El Bokeh Wall”

What You Need

Aluminum Foil
Prime Lens(For best bokeh result)
Lights (Continuos or Flash)

How To

Step 1: Get as many aluminum foil you will need for covering the background

Step 2: Crumple the foil together and make a ball

Step 3: Lay the foil flat again without removing the crumples – the crumples will provide the specular highlights which in turn create the magnificent bokeh.

Step 4: Stick the foil to the background

Final Setup

Being a a “Strobist” I normally shoot this at ISO 200, 1/160, f1.4 (using a 50mm 1.4 lens – which gives a great bokeh).
Depending on the distance and the speedlight I use, normally the power of my flash will be around 1/32-1/64 on my subject.
Then I will have my background light on the floor pointing at the “El Bokeh Wall” @ around 1/16 -1/8 power.
Lastly, I put gels on my background flash to change the color of the El Bokeh Wall.