DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

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

Submit A Story

How to make more interesting portraits using front bokeh

Mar 1, 2017 by Dunja Djudjic 2 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Most of us shoot portraits with bokeh behind the subject. But what if we reverse the position of lights and the model? In this video, photographer Mark Wallace shoots portraits with front bokeh to create more playful indoor portraits. All you need is a camera, a model and a string of Christmas lights. It’s a  simple trick and gives really good results.

This technique in a way emulates the look of being outside. It’s not exactly like this, but it does add some depth and interest to the photos. And it’s definitely fun for playing when it’s dark and cold outside. After watching the video, I tried it out myself for a few quick test shots. I made some portraits that are definitely more interesting than they would be with plain white background. And I had tons of fun, too.

You will need:

  • A camera with a wide aperture lens
  • A tripod
  • Christmas lights
  • A model

You can shoot with any available light. Mark used LED panels he had in the studio. I used only window light and a reflector on the opposite side of the model.

As for the lens, you should use a wide aperture lens. Mark’s is 50mm f/1.4. My camera is Nikon D7000, and I attached a 50mm f/1.8 lens (which is basically 75mm as I have a crop body and a full frame lens).

Settings

Mark sets the camera to f/1.4, 1/90 and ISO 400. Of course, your settings will depend on the lens, and the amount of light you have available. Mine were different, but more about it later. You should set the camera on a tripod to avoid camera shake, but also not to lose focus because of your own movement. Use a remote to trigger the camera. Or a self-timer, if you’re like me and you’ve left your trigger back at mom’s place.

It’s important to shoot in manual mode because you wouldn’t like your camera to automatically adjust the exposure based on bright LED lights in front of it. Also, if your camera has live view mode – use it. It will be easier.

Now that you have it all set up, you can play with the lights and shoot portraits. Move them closer to or further away from the camera, use more or less of them in the frame… It’s up to you. You can also use a Bokeh Masters Kit to create shaped bokeh. I did this with some of my photos, and considering my boyfriend was the model – I think heart-shaped bokeh is quite suitable. :)

Here are some of Mark’s photos:

And here are some of mine:

1/60 s, f/2.5, ISO 640

1/60 s, f/2.5, ISO 640

1/60 s, f/2.2, ISO 640 & Bokeh Masters Kit

Have you tried this technique before? How do you like it? Feel free to play around with it a bit, and I’d like to see your results in the comments below.

[Front Bokeh Portraits: Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace | Adorama]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailStanding in Front of More Interesting Stuff…And Other Good Advice Interesting: ‘Bokeh’ Searches On Google Peak Every December Apple makes a Bokeh commercial, uses “bokeh” as a verb and pronounces it wrong Photographer turns his front door into a camera to take socially distanced portraits

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: bokeh, front bokeh, portrait photography, Shooting indoors

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.net

About Dunja Djudjic

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.

« 6 useful tips for photographers who want to start filmmaking
Photographer turns to light bulbs for this fantastic “Yin Yang” themed image »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Learn photography

Recent Posts

  • This year’s Nature TTL POTY winner puts global warming right in our faces
  • TTArtisan announces super-low-budget 500mm f/6.3 super telephoto lens
  • NASA reveals five photos of space objects invisible to human eye
  • Tamron’s 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD lens ships in October
  • Facebook now lets you (legally) have multiple profiles

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex 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

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave 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: from diyphotography.netJohn 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: from diyphotography.netDunja 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