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Sarah Halstead

You are here: Home | Photography | Photo Tip Tuesday- Custom Bokeh

December 6, 2011 By Sarah Halstead

Photo Tip Tuesday- Custom Bokeh

Filed Under: Photography

I know there are a ton of tutorials out there on how to do this. I have been wanting to do it for awhile but I thought I would share my experience on here. That way you may not make the same mistakes as I did. Since I didn’t actually read any instructions before starting the project besides several weeks ago. Anyways moving on.

Supplies you need:

Black Construction paper

Exacto Knife or a whole punch

Scissors

Tape

{iPhone photo}

You will want to cut your design out of the black construction paper. Make sure you put it in the center not close to an edge so you don’t make this mistake.

{iPhone Photo}

I ended up having to cut and add an extra piece of black construction paper to get the design in the middle.

{iPhone photo}

Second mistake was having an f/4, didn’t create very pretty photos. It was set up from my portrait shoot on Sunday. You will want as small as your lens will go.

Not very pretty.

Here is my 35mm f/1.8 but I had made my third mistake. When you take the photo you want the right white balance. Not like this one which I had my Kelvin set up for outside photos.

A good Kelvin number was around the 3k. Like this.  Final, SOOC. Still not 100% pleased with it, but I wanted to share my mistakes and maybe help you if you decide to do this. I think I am going to do hearts or stars next.

Not quite sure why some crosses are cut off do you have a tip for me? What do you think?

  Live, Love, TRAVEL  Photobucket  Sweet Shot Day 

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Comments

  1. Emily says

    December 10, 2011 at 2:29 am

    What great tips and cool photos! Thank you for sharing!
  2. Kelleyn says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:36 pm

    Super cool! Thanks for sharing!
  3. Desirae R says

    December 7, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    This is very cool! I wonder if I could manage something similar on my point and shoot... Thanks for sharing!
  4. Erika B says

    December 7, 2011 at 2:18 am

    Wow...pretty! I must try this. Erika B
  5. Laura says

    December 7, 2011 at 12:06 am

    Great tutorial! I'll definitely be giving this a try soon! :D
  6. Heidi says

    December 6, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    HA! I went through the same steps a few weeks ago-including the one where the shape on the side didn't work so I had to get more paper in there to even it out. I don't know why it cuts off..yours looks better than mine did... I will keep trying though!!
  7. Branson says

    December 6, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    This is so fun! I can't wait to try it! My tripod is mia right now... need to keep digging, lol.
  8. Gina says

    December 6, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    Came out really cool- I really really need to give this a try. I love the tutorial (and your strap) :) Hugs my friend- thanks for the smile!
  9. Michelle Kennedy says

    December 6, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    This is great Sarah, thanks for sharing your mistakes too :) I'm sure I will have a pile of fails before I get it to work out (if I get time to try at all that is!)
  10. Jodi Hall says

    December 6, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    Such pretty shots. I am going to try this. :)
  11. Sue Anderson says

    December 6, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Bokeh, bokeh, and more bokeh. A lot of people have been working with it this week, and all of you have done a great job! =)
  12. tinajo says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Very interesting, thanks for sharing! :-)
  13. Christina Klas says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    Love it! SOO much christmas light bokeh going on and I don't even have my tree up yet! Yeesh... I'm so behind!
  14. Amber says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    I did this last year and my choice was a cross, as well. So fun!!! http://www.clickpraylove.com/2011/01/cross-bokeh.html It is funny to look back on, because I would edit totally different now. However, I worked so hard to get the cross to work that I was beyond the point of working hard on the edit :). Thanks for sharing Sarah. BTW, did you get my email regarding the Top 11 of '11?
  15. Jaymi says

    December 6, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    I love that your post ended up being a photo tip AND holiday bokeh! I've had that problem before too with my shapes being cut off towards the edges. I'm not sure what causes it. It happened to me with shapes I cut myself, so I figured maybe I cut my shape too big or too small, but I'm not sure. It may just be the way the light hits your lens around the edges. But anyways, good tips and great shots!
  16. Yvonne says

    December 6, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Too funny! I just tried this myself ..it is fun. Check out how I did mine (I posted the tutorial I stole the idea from) because it doesn't require a new centre piece every time you want different bokeh!
  17. Shannon says

    December 6, 2011 at 10:39 am

    Interesting :c)
  18. Jenny says

    December 6, 2011 at 10:34 am

    Kent Weakley talked about this over at our site High Calling Focus and I have been trying like crazy to do it since then and it has been a major fail! I might have to try it again because Darcy Midler (My 3 Boybarians) is having a Bokeh party this week (the 8th) at her site... so between the 2 of you, I feel inspired!
  19. Jessica says

    December 6, 2011 at 10:18 am

    I love it! May have to play around with this idea.
  20. Austin-Lee says

    December 6, 2011 at 10:15 am

    That's really neat! I did this one time with a diamond shape...it was harder than I'd thought it would be to get it all set up. I think yours turned out great!
  21. Ashley Sisk says

    December 6, 2011 at 9:03 am

    That's way better than the way I was trying to do it. Great work!
  22. secret mom thoughts says

    December 6, 2011 at 7:01 am

    Pretty shots. I need to try this.

Welcome

I'm Sarah and I am the writer behind this blog. I love sharing recipes, DIY projects, photos and about my everyday life. I married my high school sweetheart Kenny. We have three boys and one baby girl - Dustyn, Carsyn, Prestyn, and Annelyn. Thanks for stopping by, can't wait to get to know you more. Read More…

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