[ Technical Handling ] - Taking photos with blur background using Oly epl1

[albertri]

TS this was taken by EPL1 kit lens at max focal lens and close to the subject I think the background is good 15 feet away

It may not be the best bokeh but it could be done just like what the bros advice you to do Max focal lenght and open wide aperture (as much as possible).

 

[akyh1981]

did you use iauto mode or other modes?

I realise that i keep getting unsharp focus when using p/a/s mode. iauto mode is sharp though. What should i set of IBIS focal length? Currently at 40mm. Antishock is currently at 1/8 sec.

 

[NazgulKing]

Just balance the ISO, the f stop of the lens, and look at the live view to see if you like the bokeh you produce. Bokeh to some extent is subjective. If you are happy with the pictures you take, take it. Photography is after all for both your pleasure and for others.

 

[albertri]

did you use iauto mode or other modes?

I realise that i keep getting unsharp focus when using p/a/s mode. iauto mode is sharp though. What should i set of IBIS focal length? Currently at 40mm. Antishock is currently at 1/8 sec.

The photos I've posted? these were taken I use A-Mode and try t keep the f to the smallest number as much as possible and your zoom to the max and get close to the subject (as long your lens could still focus or minimum focal distance. I think for kit lens it should be half a meter) for the flowers I did a combi of AF-S-MF (Auto focus + Manual) then use the live view magnification to fine tune the Focus.

In a short time I've used my EPL1 I never used iAuto mode I've used the art filters. When you taking a portraits try doing Manual Focus and magnify your focus area this will ensure your focus is spot on. Sometimes the AF ay not focus correctly to the are you wanted e.g. eyes (human portraits) etc.

Enjoy shooting try playing around with your current setup before getting your next lens I've play around with my 14-42 before I've bought my 14-54MK1

 

[albertri]

Just balance the ISO, the f stop of the lens, and look at the live view to see if you like the bokeh you produce. Bokeh to some extent is subjective. If you are happy with the pictures you take, take it. Photography is after all for both your pleasure and for others.

@ TS yes what bro Naz said is correct from LV you can see if you have a good bokeh or not from there you play around with your aperture (f) smaller the better bokeh and your zoom/focal lenght put it to max if possible (long end of your lens produces blurring of background also) so when you combined smaller f number and long focal length you'll have a nice bokeh or blurred background.

If you're in tight budget and dont mine the MF get your self a cheap OM lens 50mm f1.8 and a cheap adaptor OM-m4/3 and set your cam to A-Mode, I bet you will go crazy with the bokeh... sample of photo taken by OM 50 mm f1.8

pardon my newbie photos

Most important is practice more I know a lot of ppl buy m4/3 or even DSLR and expect it they'll procude great photos it take practice and a lot of reading/learning I suggest to borrow some book in the library or read some online tips like these

http://www.blueglass.com/blog/21-ways-to-shoot-better-photographs/
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/digital-photography-composition-tips

 

[alantkh]

did you use iauto mode or other modes?

I realise that i keep getting unsharp focus when using p/a/s mode. iauto mode is sharp though. What should i set of IBIS focal length? Currently at 40mm. Antishock is currently at 1/8 sec.

notice that the subjects in most of the examples shown are usually very small.....

if you actually want to take humans... especially full body portraits, it is very tough to do it with four thirds.

to get the blur background in simple layman terms you can

1) shoot small things like flowers, bottle caps,
2) buy a wider aperture lens like f1.7
3) change system. Most other systems like have a cheap AF 50mm f1.4 and has a bigger sensor. both will help.

 

[albertri]

notice that the subjects in most of the examples shown are usually very small.....

if you actually want to take humans... especially full body portraits, it is very tough to do it with four thirds.

to get the blur background in simple layman terms you can

1) shoot small things like flowers, bottle caps,
2) buy a wider aperture lens like f1.7
3) change system. Most other systems like have a cheap AF 50mm f1.4 and has a bigger sensor. both will help. <<--- I like this (joke)

But it's true I am using APS-C Sensor now and I find 50mm f1.8 if used for face portraits at wide open the DOF is very thin half body is excellent I have not tried full body yet.

But I think TS is new to m4/3 so it all boils down to what time of photo he/she wanted to make So before he/she invest in anything he/she should know what he relly wanted to shoot 1st then from there he/she could decide the lens or even the system

 

[aryanto]

Not particularly artistic, but just want to show you it can be achieved

SWD 12-60mm @ 46mm, F4, ISO 320, not my son - someone else - donno who
Edit by crop using picasa: crop, cos I did lousy framing for this.

Focus on eyes, see bokeh on his hand, then again this could be blur because of movement hehe.


SWD 12-60mm @ 54mm, F3.5, ISO 100, my better half
Edit: Pseudo HRD using gimp, thus lost the EXIF

Focus on her, see bokeh on the 2 girls behind

SWD 50-200 @ 200mm, F4.5, ISO 125, a bride in Hangzhou, donno who - she was having photo taken - I just took her photo while passing by at the park

Focus on her, bokeh at background. Her expression is like WTH another photographer?!?! LOL

So bokeh is not that the object is small or big.
The longer the focal length, the more bokeh you get.
Place the subject in focus closer to the lense (you get closer), make sure background you want to be in bokeh is further away.
F-stop plays a part but really you can get bokeh still at higher F stop (you dont need F1.x), just make sure you have enough light and you arrange (position) object in focus & the background (a bit hard to achieve if you are shooting street photography though)

 

[NazgulKing]

For m4/3, I have noticed that it is easier to get bokeh with a lens that is 50mm focal length and above. 90mm is particularly sweet, especially. I think 75mm will work too. Of course, for those focal lengths, you'd probably need to hunt around for a prime from Leica, Voigtlander, and Carl Zeiss. SOme of the Yashica/Carl Zeiss primes will do good too.

I can get bokeh with my 35mm/f1.2 Voigtlander, but I need to move closer. But on the other hand, I think there is a saying that one shouldn't get too obsessed with bokeh.

 

[aryanto]

I agree depending on the lense some bokeh looks better than the other.

Oh well, the point I want to make is that you dont have to have that F1.x .... you can get bokeh at lower single digit F stop.
It is more like the arrangement of photographer, subject & background.


photographer -----(closer distance)---- subject ----------------------------------------------------(substatially longer distance)------------------------------------------------ background

 

[NazgulKing]

I agree depending on the lense some bokeh looks better than the other.

Oh well, the point I want to make is that you dont have to have that F1.x .... you can get bokeh at lower single digit F stop.
It is more like the arrangement of photographer, subject & background.


photographer -----(closer distance)---- subject ----------------------------------------------------(substatially longer distance)------------------------------------------------ background

They are all nice pictures, regardless.

 

[aryanto]

They are all nice pictures, regardless.

really even the first one? :lovegrin: