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 Jan 07, 2026

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To achieve a soft bokeh effect in portrait photography, you need to use a lens with a wide aperture, position your subject at a distance from the background, and focus carefully on the subject's eyes. This technique creates a pleasing blur in the background, enhancing the subject's prominence in the image.

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    1. Use a lens with a wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/1.4).
    2. Position the subject several feet away from the background.
    3. Focus on the subject's eyes to ensure sharpness.
    4. Use a longer focal length (e.g., 85mm, 135mm) for more pronounced bokeh.
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Additional Comment:

Wide aperture lenses allow more light, creating a shallower depth of field.
Longer focal lengths compress the background, enhancing the bokeh effect.
Experiment with different backgrounds to see how they affect the bokeh quality.
Consider using prime lenses, which often have better bokeh characteristics.

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

Asked on Jan 07, 2026

Answer

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