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The Art of Bokeh: A Guide to Using Shallow Depths in Landscape Photography was written to inspire photographers to think beyond the confines of a deep depth of field. It’s focused on guiding landscape photographers of all levels to widen their aperture and see the environment as light and shapes, and to create abstract, ethereal images that have a deeper meaning and interpretation. This is my first eBook, written from my perspective and experiences, and I’m thrilled to present it. By using a shallow depth of field and thin slices of focus, you can completely transform a landscape, manipulating an environment that usually can not be changed or controlled. You can create a complex or simple photograph by changing your depth, and this guide can show you how.
With this eBook, I wanted to present the most important information in a refined, easy-to-follow manner. I go over the basics of bokeh, how to create it in your photographs, and finally how to apply it to landscape photography.
Several notable sections in my book include:
If you’re a complete beginner to photography and have no idea how to use your manual settings, this book is still for you. I have included links to my Photography 101 tutorials which cover all you need to know to understand everything in this eBook.
The Art of Bokeh is written with the landscape photographer in mind, as that is what I am – but anyone looking to learn bokeh will benefit from it. Most of the eBook covers the basics of bokeh, what is needed to create it, and how to execute those techniques in the field.
I wrote this from the perspective of a true beginner on bokeh– which I was not too long ago. At first, I didn’t even know what bokeh was – I just saw it used beautifully in photos and knew I wanted to recreate that atmosphere. Where it came from, how it was created, what steps I needed to take….I had no clue. After reading through many articles and guides online, I still did not have all my questions answered. Most articles touched on what bokeh is and showed examples of it, but I never grasped the “how” – how to create it, and what elements needed to come together to capture that artful, dream-like environment we’re all looking for. That I had to discover on my own, and now I want to share that process with all of you by helping to eliminate roadblocks and get straight to the fun, creative part of photography.
The Art of Bokeh is a downloadable PDF file, which can be viewed on a number of devices – laptop and desktop computers, iPhone or Android devices, iPads, and other tablets. For iPad specific users, you can download this book (or any pdf document) directly to iBooks, which will allow you to access it at any time. Click here for a very handy guide that shows you exactly how to put my book into your iBooks app. If for some reason you are not sure you’ll be able to access this book, or have trouble doing so, feel free to email me.
When you purchase the eBook, you will receive a separate email containing a download link. To send it as a gift, you can either forward this email to your recipient, or copy the link into your own personalized email.
If you are not satisfied with The Art of Bokeh, I will gladly refund your money within 30 days – no questions asked. I want everyone who reads my book to feel that all their questions on bokeh and using shallow depths are answered – most importantly, I want you all the have the assurance that you’ll be guided through the entire process of creating that ethereal environment. If, for any reason, you still have questions on the topic after reading my book or come across roadblocks in your workflow, I invite you to email me directly for advice.
I recently published another eBook on bokeh entitled The Portfolio of Bokeh. In this book, I open up my bokeh portfolio and explain how I captured 22 of my post popular bokeh images in great detail. Click here for more information on The Portfolio of Bokeh.
You can now own my entire landscape photography eBook collection at a 25% discount if purchased as a single transaction. To read more about each eBook or to purchase the collection, click here.
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If you have interest in selling my eBooks, click here for more information on my affiliate program.
Christopher, this is wonderful!!! I learn so much from your writing style and your photography is amazing. I have purchased my copy and can’t wait to dive right in! Congratulations on this new ebook!
Hoping this is the first of many eBooks from you
I have never used an e-book. I have a PC, a netbook, and an ipad with usage shared with another person. Can I D/L e-book to an ipad for future reading? Can I read it with a book reader, e.g. Kobo, as we hope to get one at Xmas.
Can I store it on my PC, then read it on my netbook? How would I buy an e-book as a gift for someone else in another city?
Murray
Hi Murray –
My eBook is in PDF form, so it can be read on all 3 – the PC, netbook, and iPad. There is a way to save the book to iBooks on your iPad, so you can always access it. Once you download the ebook to your computer, you can access it at any time just like any other document.
I’m not sure on the Kobo – if it’s anything like the Kindle, then no – not yet , anyways
When you buy the book, you are sent an email containing a download link. So you can easily forward that email to someone else as a gift, and they can download the book.
These are great questions and will help others who were wondering the same thing – so thank you!
Hi Christopher,
I have always love the bokeh effect – that blur in the distant background and only until now did I know that the technique is called a “bokeh”. I am intending to give the mirrorless DSLR a go, particularly the Sony Nex-5N. Can you please advise if I can still benefit from your book and applying the techniques from it onto this particular range of camera?
Hi Nini – among other things, bokeh is dependent on your lens and how wide you can set your aperture. So yes, you can certainly achieve beautiful bokeh with your mirrorless SLR
hi chri…
i would like to ask if you use filters
I use ND filters and polarizers, and will blend exposures in post process to correct for any over/under exposed areas.
Hi Chris -
I just purchased your ebook The Art of Bokeh and I enjoyed it! I have a lens question. I own a Nikon D90, which is a dx format. I have the 18-105mm 3.5-5.6 range lens, Can I achieve the same bokeh you describe in your book or do I need to try a wide angle lens? I’ve been browsing the lenses online and If I try a new lens, I’m unsure if I should go for one that has a smaller mm range or a lower f, like 1.8 or so? Looking for some guidance. I’m thinking of renting one to try over the holidays. I also own a macro lens
60 mm, f/2.8
Thanks so much.
Kelley
ps I’d love your feedback on my photography (I’m a beginner!) at my site:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Argonauta-Photography/225717754134366
Hi Kelley –
I think you can achieve some great bokeh with your 60mm. If you open it up all the way, and adjust your distances as described in the book (between your camera and your focal point, and your focal point and the background), you’ll be able to create a shallow depth of field.
Chris,
I’m curious from your comment to Kelley, is a zoom lens not suitable or ideal anyways to doing bokeh? If that’s the case, can you say why? I do have a macro lens of good quality so I can always use that, but curious on your opinions on lenses. Thanks! Ron
Hi Ron –
It doesn’t matter if your lens is a zoom or prime – either can capture bokeh. However, your aperture is one of the variables you need to consider. It will be much more difficult to create bokeh with a lens that does not have a wide aperture. A 3.5-5.6 lens is not ideal when compared to her 60mm prime, which can open up to 2.8.
The aperture is only one part of creating bokeh however – your distances and focal length also play a part. Please read this article I wrote on how to create bokeh and it should answer your questions on what exactly it is you need for bokeh:
http://christopherodonnellphotography.com/bokeh-for-landscapes/
Hope this helps
What’s new in the Second Edition?
Hi Mike –
The second edition has two new pages of information, and an overall improvement of the layout and navigation. It’s also a free update to those who have already purchased a previous edition – you can just re-download the file via the link which was emailed to you originally.
Thank you!