Lesson 5: Bokeh

Ready on set? Welcome to DRIFF’s DIY Film School, where we introduce you to some tips and tricks that any aspiring filmmaker can try from the comfort of their home. We’ll guide you through exercises to sharpen your skills as a filmmaker, showing you the basics of what it takes to succeed behind the camera so you can start shooting your own films today.

Lesson 5

Bokeh

You may notice in certain films and photographs that there is a soft focus that fully separates subject from the background. This is an intentional technique called bokeh. This effect originates from Japan and consists of small orbs and distortions in the image when the background is out of focus. This effect is intentional and serves as a way to make the photo’s subject in the foreground evident. This simple effect only requires a lower f stop, which allows less light to get in so the image is less sharp. This will create a look that can guide audiences towards that which may get ignored otherwise.

While at first you may think an out of focus image is a bad look, this technique acknowledges the beauty in compressing a bunch of details into a finer one and the way one can calm a busy background to highlight the subject's importance. Clarity isn’t the most important element to look at within an image and, by using this technique, one can contemplate how to achieve the best look for the subject you want to frame. Photography and filmmaking have become an enduring artform because there are so many options on how you can craft an image. Bokeh allows for an interesting effect where one can slowly reveal the subject or one can use it to calm a busy background.

Images can be captured in many ways with different techniques by using different levels of focus and exposure to create different looks to an image. This technique–although simple–has the ability to become impactful. When capturing an image it is important to think about the intended effect and decide what it is you want to communicate.  Sometimes clarity is a good thing but removing some of that clarity can help set up your next image or give focus to what is happening in the original image. There are a variety of choices you can make as a filmmaker in order to guide your audience.

By utilizing all aspects of filmmaking and photography you are allowing yourselves to grow not only as filmmakers, but as human beings. The more one is open to a different way of seeing the world, the more options you will have with your art.

Connor Walsh is Photographer, Video Editor, and Writer based in Southern Ontario.

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If you’re interested in becoming part of a local film community or attending a film festival near you, the Durham Region International Film Festival’s events are for you! DRIFF presents an annual fall film festival in Durham Region, summer drive-in movie screenings in Whitby and DRIFF in a Jiff short film screenings in Oshawa. Visit driff.ca, become a DRIFF insider or follow us on social media at @catchthedriff for all the details.