By Ana Lyubich
Flowers are one of the most popular subjects to photograph—nature’s masterpieces that provide an endless source of awe and inspiration, drawing countless beginner photographers into the art. I also began my journey by photographing flowers, captivated by their vibrant colours and delicate forms. Over the years, I haven’t moved away from this genre. Instead, I’ve delved deeper into it, experimenting with different techniques and lenses to reveal new layers of beauty in even the most familiar blooms. Every flower, no matter how often it’s been seen or captured, holds something unique waiting to be discovered.
One way to elevate flower photography is by adding a stunning bokeh effect. Whether achieved naturally, through Photoshop overlays, or with AI tools, bokeh creates a soft, blurred background that brings your flower to the forefront in an artistic and captivating way. In this article, we’ll explore three approaches to create beautiful bokeh, helping you take your flower shots to the next level.
Achieving natural bokeh with your camera
Creating natural bokeh with your camera is ideal but challenging. Success requires the perfect combination of lens, background lighting, shooting angle, and weather conditions.
How to capture natural bokeh
Use a wide aperture: A lens with a large maximum aperture (e.g., f/1.8 or f/2.8) helps create a shallow depth of field. This blurs the background while keeping the flower in sharp focus.
Position your subject carefully: Choose a background with distant light sources or textures. Sunlight filtering through leaves or softly blurred foliage often creates naturally circular bokeh highlights.
