Table Of Contentbokeh
creating with shallow depths
landscape photography
the art of
by christopher o’donnell
table of contents
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table of contents
04 IntrodUctIon
09 defInIng bokeh
14 dIstances
28 lIght
36 coMposIng the landscape
51 the focUs WorkfloW
62 the portfolIo
122 aboUt chrIstopher
IntrodUctIon
before I began creating bokeh, or even photographing landscapes, I spent much of my time
absorbing the artwork of other photographers. When I was an art student in college, I was astounded
by the level of creativity I found possible in photography - images that I had never seen before, able
to speak to all of the senses, and it completely changed my perception of photography as an art
form.
after many months of creative experimentation, I settled on landscape photography. My initial draw
was the intensity and surreal nature of long exposure landscapes: windswept grass, flowing water,
fast-moving clouds captured over a span of time. however, it didn’t take long for me to discover artists
who were combining wide apertures with landscape compositions, and I was instantly mesmerized
with the dream-like quality of selective focus.
65
bokeh didn’t come naturally to me. In fact, it diligent and determined to learn how these artists
took me a long time to even grasp the concept achieved such shallow depths and otherworldly
of aperture and using it to create depth in my atmospheres. I didn’t know why I liked it, or what
scene. Although I took a black & white film class it was called, all I knew was that I was entranced
in college, the section on f/stops and depth of by it and I wanted to create it for myself.
field was completely lost on me - at least at first.
I learned so much more than I anticipated by
the turning point in my photography happened reading through photography forums, artist
when I started to view the work of others websites, and other online resources. the
online - it unveiled a world beyond mainstream amount of information available to help other
photography, and showed me that the camera photographers learn the craft is abundant, and
is a complex and delicate creative tool. I was for that I am both grateful and proud of this field.
6
learning at my own pace was key. being able the result was the development of a style that
to study and try out a new technique around was unique to me, so this learning workflow
my own schedule helped me develop my own was an important process to my photography.
style, slowly evolving and not being forced
into the confines of a predetermined workflow. the take-away point here is that you can
find a happy balance between following the
eventually, I learned all that was available instructions of other photographers and
about bokeh and depth of field - at least on developing your own style - it’s part of the
a basic level, and enough to point me in the learning process. often, the road taken by
right direction. a milestone for me was when I those you idolize paves the way for you to a
started to apply shallow depths to landscapes, certain point. Which direction you take your
and began to discover techniques on my own. work once that road ends is up to you.
7
defInIng bokeh
since then, bokeh has become an intense learn more about aperture, shutter speed,
pursuit of mine, and to apply this workflow to and other foundations to photography, I have
my love of landscapes has been an incredibly helpful tutorials on my website under my
powerful experience. It has taught me to photography 101 series.
evaluate my scene with bokeh in mind, and
to make more deliberate, conscious choices although I’ll be showing you my personal
in the field. workflow, my methods are not set in stone,
and the choices I make are not always the
I wrote this ebook for the landscape best fit for everyone. If you feel the need to
photographer who knows the basics of the deter from what I outline, that’s perfectly fine
art, but wants to break through into a new – in fact, it’s strongly encouraged. My ebooks
realm of creativity. to have a more fulfilling are written simply as guides to demystify and
learning experience, an understanding of your are not rule books to follow. take only the
manual settings are necessary. If you want to information you like and follow your own path.
8
defInIng bokeh
before I detail the specific workflow needed to capture an image with bokeh,
What Is
I want you to have a clear idea of what bokeh is exactly. Most importantly, I
bokeh?
want you to know that bokeh and a shalloW depth of fIeld are two
completely different things.
