Here's how to create a simulated bokeh portrait for under $10:
The Idea: We're going to use our smartphone camera and create artificial depth of field and blurry backgrounds using readily available and inexpensive materials.
The Method:
This uses a phone and some readily available items.
Materials (All should be available for under $10 total):
* Smartphone with a Camera: You likely already have this!
* String Lights (Fairy Lights, Christmas Lights): Ideally, you want a string of battery-powered LED fairy lights. Dollar stores often carry these for $1-$3. Crucial: Choose warm white or colored lights for the best effect.
* Tape or Clothespins: To secure the lights.
Steps:
1. Find a Location: Choose a location with some depth. An outdoor area with trees, bushes, or a building in the background works well. Indoors, a plain wall can work if you're creative with the lights. Avoid overly cluttered backgrounds.
2. Set Up the Lights: This is where the magic happens.
* Behind the Subject (Traditional Approach): String the fairy lights behind your subject. Drape them over trees, bushes, or a fence. Ensure the lights are somewhat far back from your subject to maximize the blur effect.
* Around the Subject (Creative Approach): If you're indoors or have limited space, try stringing the lights *around* your subject, but slightly *out of focus* of your phone's camera. This will create an interesting frame and bokeh effect around them. You may need to hold the lights or tape them into position.
* DIY Bokeh Filter (Advanced): Cut out a circle of cardboard. Cut a shape in the center. Place this in front of your phone's camera. The background lights will take on the shape of your cut-out.
3. Position Your Subject: Place your subject a good distance in front of the lights. The further they are from the lights, the more blurred the lights will appear.
4. Camera Settings (Smartphone):
* Portrait Mode (If Available): Many smartphones have a "Portrait Mode" that artificially blurs the background. Use this if you have it.
* Move Closer to the Subject: The closer you are to your subject, the shallower the depth of field will be, which helps blur the background naturally (even without Portrait Mode).
* Tap to Focus: Tap on your subject's face in the camera app to ensure they are in sharp focus.
* Increase Brightness (Carefully): If the lights are too dim, you might need to increase the brightness in your camera app. Be careful not to overexpose the subject's face.
5. Take the Photo! Experiment with different angles, distances, and light positions.
6. Post-Processing (Optional, but recommended):
* Basic Editing Apps (Free): Use free photo editing apps like Google Photos, Snapseed, or Adobe Lightroom Mobile to adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation. A subtle vignette can also enhance the portrait.
* Blurring Tools: Many editing apps also have blur tools that you can use to further blur the background for a more dramatic effect. Use these subtly to avoid it looking artificial.
Tips and Tricks:
* Experiment with Light Colors: Warm white and yellow lights tend to look the most natural.
* Avoid Overexposure: Be mindful of bright light sources causing overexposure on your subject's face.
* Diffuse the Lights (Optional): If the lights are too harsh, you can try diffusing them with a thin piece of fabric (like a paper towel or white plastic bag) placed over them.
* Keep the Subject Still: In low light, the subject needs to remain still to avoid motion blur.
* Take Lots of Photos: Digital photography is free! Take many shots to experiment and find the best results.
* Clean Your Camera Lens: A dirty camera lens will ruin any photo.
* Focus on Composition: The basics of photography still apply. Pay attention to composition (rule of thirds, leading lines, etc.) to make your photos more interesting.
* Shoot at Night or in Low Light: The fairy lights work best in darker conditions.
* Consider angles: Changing the angle of the camera and the subject can greatly affect the outcome.
Why This Works (Sort Of):
* Artificial Depth of Field: We're creating a shallower depth of field through proximity and, if available, portrait mode.
* Light Shapes: The out-of-focus fairy lights create the circular or polygonal shapes associated with bokeh.
* Visual Impression: Our brains associate blurred backgrounds and bright points of light with shallow depth of field and a professional look.
Limitations:
* Not True Bokeh: This is a simulation. True bokeh is created by the lens itself. Smartphone cameras have very small sensors and lenses, making it difficult to achieve true shallow depth of field.
* Quality Limitations: The quality will be limited by your smartphone's camera.
* Artificial Look: If overdone, the blurring and the light shapes can look artificial.
* Low Light: These tricks work better in low light, which can introduce noise and grain to your photos.
In summary: While you won't get the same quality as a professional photographer with expensive equipment, you *can* create some surprisingly effective simulated bokeh portraits with a smartphone, some fairy lights, and a bit of creativity for under $10. Good luck, and have fun!