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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 Feb 03, 2026

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To achieve a soft bokeh effect in portrait photography, you'll need to use a lens with a wide aperture and position your subject at a distance from the background. This technique enhances the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas, creating a pleasing blur that isolates the subject.

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    Lens: Use a prime lens with a wide aperture (e.g., 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.4).
    Aperture: Set to a wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.0) to achieve shallow depth of field.
    Distance: Position the subject several feet away from the background to enhance background blur.
    Focus: Ensure the subject's eyes are in sharp focus to maintain clarity.
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Additional Comment:

Consider using a longer focal length lens to compress the background and enhance bokeh.
Lighting can affect the appearance of bokeh; softer lighting can enhance the overall effect.
Experiment with different backgrounds to see how they interact with the bokeh effect.

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

Asked on Feb 03, 2026

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