You’ve probably seen those beautiful portrait photos where the subject is sharp and the background is deliciously blurry. That effect is called bokeh, and it’s one of the most popular (and visually striking) techniques in photography.
The good news? You don’t need an expensive camera to achieve this look. With the right settings and a bit of practice, you can blur the background in your photos whether you’re using a DSLR, mirrorless, or even a smartphone.
Let’s break down how to do it, step by step.
What Is Bokeh?
Bokeh (pronounced boh-keh) comes from a Japanese word meaning “blur” or “haze.” In photography, it refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image.
Good bokeh isn’t just about blur—it’s about creating a soft, smooth background that makes your subject stand out while giving your photo a dreamy, cinematic feel.
What You Need to Create a Blurred Background
✅ A camera or smartphone that lets you:
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Control aperture (f-stop)
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Adjust distance to subject
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Focus manually or via touch focus
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Use Portrait Mode (on phones)
✅ A lens with:
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Wide aperture (f/2.8, f/1.8, or even f/1.4)
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Focal length of 50mm or more (for better compression and blur)
Don’t worry if you only have a kit lens or a phone—we’ll show you how to make it work.
1. Use a Wide Aperture
Aperture controls how much light enters your camera—and how much of your image is in focus. A wide aperture (low f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, which results in more blur behind your subject.
Recommended Settings:
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f/1.8 – f/2.8 = ideal for strong background blur
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f/4 – f/5.6 = moderate blur
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f/8 or higher = sharp background
Tip: If your lens doesn’t go below f/3.5 (like most kit lenses), use other methods below to boost the blur.
2. Get Closer to Your Subject
The closer you are to your subject, the more pronounced the background blur will be.
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Stand close to your subject
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Keep some distance between your subject and the background
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Use touch focus to lock focus on your subject’s face or eyes
Example: If you’re shooting a portrait, move within 1–2 meters of the person and step back the background (trees, wall, etc.) by 3–4 meters.
3. Use a Longer Focal Length
Zoom lenses and telephoto lenses naturally compress the background, making it look blurrier.
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50mm: Good portrait blur
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85mm: Great blur and natural compression
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200mm+: Super creamy bokeh (perfect for close-ups from a distance)
If you’re using a phone, avoid digital zoom—step back and use optical zoom or Portrait Mode when available.
4. Use Portrait Mode on Smartphones
Most modern smartphones offer Portrait Mode, which uses software and multiple lenses to simulate bokeh.
Tips for Better Results:
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Make sure there’s good lighting
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Avoid busy backgrounds (edges may look unnatural)
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Tap on your subject to set the focus correctly
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Stay 1–2 meters away for optimal blur
Portrait Mode isn’t perfect, but with practice, it can get surprisingly close to DSLR-style results.
5. Choose the Right Background
Some backgrounds blur more beautifully than others.
Ideal Backgrounds for Bokeh:
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Distant trees or bushes
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City lights at night (produces light bokeh balls)
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Fairy lights, candles, or string lights
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Walls or fences with soft patterns
Avoid backgrounds that are too close or too complex—they won’t blur well or will distract from the subject.
6. Edit Your Photo to Enhance the Blur
If you didn’t quite nail the blur in-camera, you can enhance it during editing (especially with smartphone apps).
Editing Apps with Blur Tools:
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Snapseed (Lens Blur tool)
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Lightroom Mobile (selective edits)
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AfterFocus (specifically for blur simulation)
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Photoshop Express (depth blur feature)
Just be subtle—too much artificial blur can look fake.
Bonus: Try Shooting Through Objects
Get creative! You can enhance bokeh or foreground blur by shooting through plants, windows, or even sheer fabric.
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Use leaves to frame a portrait
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Shoot through fairy lights for magical foreground glow
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Place translucent materials close to the lens to diffuse edges
This technique adds depth and atmosphere to your photos.
Recap: Steps to Blur the Background
✅ Use the widest aperture your lens allows
✅ Get closer to your subject
✅ Increase distance between subject and background
✅ Use a longer focal length
✅ Enable Portrait Mode on phones
✅ Choose backgrounds with distance and soft light
✅ Enhance blur subtly in editing if needed
Final Thoughts: Make Your Subject Pop
Blurring the background isn’t just about making your photos prettier—it’s about focusing the viewer’s attention on what matters.
Whether you’re taking portraits, product shots, or capturing moments on the go, mastering the bokeh effect gives your images that extra wow factor.
So grab your camera (or your phone), find some good light, and experiment. The best way to learn is to try—and once you get that perfect creamy blur, you’ll be hooked.