Creating custom bokeh shapes is easy, fun, and can add a unique and whimsical touch to your photographs AND this is the best season to try this out. Here’s how you can make your own interesting bokeh filters:
Materials Needed:
- A DSLR camera and a prime lens (like a 50mm)
- Black construction paper
- Scissors or an X-Acto knife (or a hole-punch in the shape of your choice)
- Tape
- Rubber band
Steps to Create Custom Bokeh Shapes:
- Trace and Cut the Filter
- Start by tracing the lens cap onto black construction paper and cut out the circle.
- Cut a slightly larger circle around this trace to ensure it fits comfortably over your lens.
- Create the Bokeh Shape
- In the center of your cut-out circle, draw and cut out a small shape. Common choices are hearts, stars, or any simple shape.
- Ensure the cut-out shape is centered and not too large, as this will affect the clarity of your bokeh effect.
- Attach the Filter
- Place the black paper filter over your lens and secure it with a rubber band. Make sure it’s snug but not too tight to avoid damaging your lens.
- Adjust Camera Settings
- Set your camera to manual mode and select the widest aperture available (e.g., f/1.8).
- Place your subject in front of your lights, but make sure you have some distance between the two so your lights blur out.
- Focus on your subject. This will keep your subject sharp while blurring the lights in the background into your custom shapes.
- Experiment and Shoot
- Position string lights or other light sources in the background. The more lights you have, the more pronounced the bokeh effect will be.
- Experiment with different colors and distances to see how it affects the bokeh shapes in your photos.
Be creative and enjoy!