How to get blurry backgrounds in photographs: It's all in the relative distances (and focal length!)

Vital knowledge in my opinion for portrait photography: How to get blurry backgrounds in photos - aka, bokeh. It's a mix of aperture, focal length and relative distances, but it's easier to show than say, so there you go!
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[@AnVoPhotography]

This is about the best explanation on the subject that I have ever come across on KZbin. And you and Alfie are a joy to watch. Thank you for sharing.

[@mgingerich9372]

Finally a video that explains this concept. THANK YOU.

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AC-xh9wr]

Fabulous, very clear explanation with great use of video and stills with focal length written on to demonstrate what you're saying. Amazing to see the difference that focal length and distance to subject etc makes with the same f number. Alfie is a top model! Gorgeous, good boy bless his heart 💙

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

You're very welcome!

[@ViiveKaiRebane]

Good for waiting! So cute! Thanks for the vid!

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@jonhermannsson9231]

Great lesson. Alphy is so cute and so obedient and well trained. Like you said a legend

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

He totally is isn't he!

[@adrianavega3202]

This video is exactly what I needed, o understand and apply these principles to know what should I buy, more Canon lenses or a Nikon camera (given that I have a Nikkor 70-200mm). Thank you so much, I really can't wait to tomorrow when the rain goies away and I can practice some shoots.

[@cathybeacock7508]

This really helped me more than any other explanation! Thanks

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

Thank you so much, that's so kind and thank you for your continued support 🙏

[@MsJayjay70]

Oké not only need to learn lots myself but some new cool tricks to my dog too! Thank you for this great video!

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

It certainly helps 😄 Thank you so much for the great feedback 🙏

[@MarieNuchols]

Alphie is such champ!!!!! Such a perfect doggo. High fives, Alphie! Love how you illustrated this, making it so clear. Super helpful!!! Thank you, Jess (and Alphie!!!)

[@catherine159]

So helpfull thanks!

[@FenderBoyCP]

Great video demonstration. I'm currently debating on either a 70-200mm or 135mm prime lens on a full frame camera. Love the idea of the zoom, but thats a chunky lens to carry around. And being self conscious for occasions when I might want to use it for street photography.

[@kellyturchet4746]

OMG Alphie is incredible. My dog would be anywhere other than where I'd want her haha. Especially if there is a ball anywhere! Thanks for the info, little bits are sinking in for this newbie.

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

so pleased you're enjoying the videos 🙏 Alfie is a real pro 😊

[@houseofherders1312]

Always knew there was a reason that my 300mm lens was my favourite 😻 This explains it so well, love it! And of course, the goodest doggo Alfie 😍

[@LtDeadeye]

What camera body do you use?

[@houseofherders1312]

@@LtDeadeye me? Nikon d7000 :)

[@TheDogHouseGroomers]

Just a fantastically value pack video. I really like the more nuanced examples that you used and how you move the model change the DOF.

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

Glad it was helpful!

[@suerichardson1289]

This is great! Hoping I can remember all of it when I’m out tomorrow with dogs and my camera.

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

💪🏼

[@jer3006]

Do you know how many KZbin videos discuss blurred backgrounds? Likely a thousand +. Might have known you and Alfie would do the very best one! Seeing is believing and your demo of distance and focal length makes a deep impression. Thanks for making and sharing this approach to understanding THE BLUR ! ⭐x5

[@lucym22]

This sums it up perfectly! Loved seeing all the differences to where Alfie was sat, the background and where the camera was. My dream lense is definitely the 70-200! I think there is a cheaper version and a more expensive one. What differences do they have?

[@fiddekullatradgard]

Thank you for explaining this so clearly and visually! Really appreciate it! :D :D

[@sannewollin7750]

Really interesting! And very nice to see the difference in the different settings!

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

Sanne, no settings were changed though, only the focal length and where we all were positioned - it's one of the things I love about photography but it definitely makes it tricky in busy woodlands!

[@sannewollin7750]

@@ThatPhotographySpot That is what I mean indeed! Wasn't sure about the right word to combine focal length and positioning. And this shows how important those elements are, and it makes it a lot harder in the woods indeed!

[@judywright2051]

It is always sooo helpful to SEE what the different setups due to the background. Thanks for another great video!

[@Stuffed007]

simple case of lens compression at longer focal lengths

[@antoniobarbieri3145]

Jess I love your videos and Alf is such a great model!

[@Adiera]

Very good explanation and so helpful with the examples given. It helps us who learn visually!

[@pollypowell3907]

Legend explanation and demonstration!

[@lilyswarfield2023]

This is incredibly helpful! Thank you!

[@PhotoVideoGraphics]

Could you please make a video on how to train a dog to do hide and bring their paws up? Thank you kindly. I totally love all your videos!

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

that's a great idea and I will look to implement this going forward, thank you for the suggestion 😊

[@sabi_ne]

It was very nice to see how the different settings affect each other 👍😊 thank you

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

Ah but Sabine no settings were changed, only the focal length and where we all were positioned - I find the optics so cool but then I am a geek!

[@sabi_ne]

@@ThatPhotographySpot yeah that's actually what i meant 🙈 The Position of the dog and focal length 😅 I didn't know hot to say It any better 🙈 sorry

[@Siftedheart]

Thank you 😊

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

You are very welcome 😊

[@dosam_6146]

Another excellent video!

[@dominiqueprin7616]

Bonjour . cela aurait été intéressant de voir dans les même conditions d'éclairage les sigma 85 et 105 / 1.4. Quelle serait vos réglages pour avoir le même blurry background ? Toujours super !!! Hello . it would have been interesting to see the sigma 85 and 105 in the same lighting conditions What would be your settings to have the same blurry background? Always great !!!!

[@lisasleck6223]

awesome video, thanks for the tips!

[@lei945]

Thank you for the good explanation! Always love to see how you work with your dogs and share your knowledge with us 😍 Now I’m in dubio. Buy the sigma 105 1.4 or the 135 1.8 😅

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

Wait till this Fridays video? 🤓

[@lei945]

@@ThatPhotographySpot I'll! Really exited now hihi

[@alexmcmaster1]

Great video! What lens/lenses would you suggest you start out with when using a Sony camera? What ones do the best job for general dog photos?

[@alexmcmaster1]

One that isn’t incredibly expensive preferably

[@carolynvines2027]

I was trying to figure out how you were getting a focus square around Alfie's eye. Does your lens have eye detection? You are using a full frame DSLR, aren't you? I'm about to show my ignorance; but I thought eye detection was only available in mirrorless. I'm currently using a Canon Rebel EOS T3i; and, as I try to hone in on where to focus my intentions of manifestation, I've been trying to decide between a full frame DSLR (which is what I prefer) and mirrorless. I'd love to see a video of a client photo shoot, since most pets are not trained to be models. Alfie is awesome, and the perfect model. How do you get a client's untrained dog to model for the camera? I love the mutual respect between you and Alfie. 🥰 I've mentioned Zak George in my comments on another video. I like the way you and he, both, ask your dogs to perform for you. 😌 BTW.... I don't work for Zak. He doesn't know me. You just have similar training styles and I'm learning a lot from both of you.

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

I have Sony A7r iii camera bodies, so they are mirrorless and the have animal Eye AF 💪 There are a few shoots on the channel with clients dogs, check out “how to shoot dogs on lead” which features Percy, a frenchie 🥰

[@carolynvines2027]

@@ThatPhotographySpot Thanks! 😀 I knew I should've looked for those videos before commenting. 🤓 I'll go look for them now. 🧐

[@cosmicfoxglove1047]

Thanks!!

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

No problem!

[@shaiauerbach3509]

Not related to the video but I love your accent! Where are you from? And yes Alphie is such a good boy

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

Yorkshire, UK 🤓

[@gorettyrivera]

Love it! Question! I have the same camera as you..is there a way to see the focal length on the LCD screen? I've seen it shows you after you take the picture but in real-time do you just have to stop at one end to know, for example, it's the 18mm and 105mm on the other end? TIA x

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

No, not that I’m aware of but I could be wrong! Give it a google?!

[@kellylouisebailey8100]

Can i ask. How do you go about recording and using a phone to record the viewfinder as you show us in videos? Thanks.

[@ThatPhotographySpot]

You can't use a phone to record the viewfinder effectively, sorry!