How can I achieve a soft bokeh effect in portrait photography?

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How can I achieve a soft bokeh effect in portrait photography?

Asked on Dec 31, 2025

Answer

To achieve a soft bokeh effect in portrait photography, you'll want to use a wide aperture to create a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background and isolates your subject. This technique is often enhanced by using lenses with longer focal lengths, such as 85mm or 135mm, which naturally compress the background and enhance the bokeh quality.

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    Aperture: f/1.8 or wider
    Lens: 85mm or 135mm prime lens
    Distance: Subject should be far from the background
    Focus: On the subject's eyes for sharpness
    Lighting: Use soft, diffused lighting for even exposure
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Additional Comment:

Use a prime lens with a wide maximum aperture for the best bokeh effect.
Position your subject far from the background to increase background blur.
Consider using a reflector to fill in shadows and maintain even lighting on your subject.
Experiment with different compositions to see how the bokeh interacts with background elements.

✅ Answered with Photography best practices.

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How can I achieve a soft bokeh effect in portrait photography?

Asked on Dec 31, 2025

Answer

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