Bokeh
The aesthetic quality of the blur in out-of-focus areas of an image.
What is Bokeh?
Bokeh is a term that originates from the Japanese word 'boke' (ボケ), which means 'blur' or 'haze'. In photography, it refers to the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in out-of-focus parts of an image. Good bokeh is characterized by smooth, circular highlights and a pleasing, creamy background that doesn't distract from the subject. It's commonly achieved using fast lenses (wide apertures like f/1.8, f/1.4, or wider) and is particularly popular in portrait photography to isolate the subject from the background.
AI Prompting Tips
To create bokeh effects in AI-generated images, include phrases like 'with creamy bokeh background', 'shallow depth of field', 'shot at f/1.4', or 'dreamy background blur'. Specify that the background should have soft, circular light spots or a smooth gradient. For maximum effect, describe a scene with small light sources in the background like fairy lights, city lights at night, or dappled sunlight through trees.
Example Prompts
"Portrait of a woman with beautiful bokeh background, soft evening light, professional photography"
"Street scene at night with bokeh effect, urban environment, neon lights, cinematic"
Related Terms
Quick Reference
Category
Lighting & Effects
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Key AI Prompt Words
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