Tuesday, 30 May 2017

technique - How can I get dramatic shallow DOF with a kit lens?


I'm currently using an entry-level DSLR with 18-55mm lens and having great trouble trying to creating a blurred background effect in my photos. Now matter what aperture or shutter speed I choose, I'm not able to get it.


There's a general question about How can I maximize the "blurry background, sharp subject" (bokeh) effect?, but what specific things can I do to get this effect with an entry-level lens?



Answer



Given that gear, you'll get maximum background blur by zooming in to 55mm, going aperture priority mode (Av) and setting the aperture to 5.6 which is the maximum aperture on that lens at that focal length.


You have a combination of a crop sensor (less visible bokeh) combined with a lens that maxes out at f/3.5 at the wide end (less obvious bokeh than lenses which go to a wider aperture). That lens has a variable aperture, so as you zoom closer in towards 55mm your widest aperture will be further limited but as seen in other answers, this is less significant than other factors.


If you're not satisfied with the amount of background blur, unfortunately this is one of those cases where different gear is the answer.



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