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Bokeh Mask Tutorial


Though there are many tutorials out there for these masks, I decided to make a little tutorial for you because I was asked a couple of times how I got the heart bokeh in the latest French ~Word a Day~ posts.
I hope this helps.
If you have any questions just ask. Trial and error with these proved to be the best way to learn for me...The masks decrease the light levels let into your lens so one would adjust accordingly. I had no success with my film bokeh shots so I still have to figure that out! The size of the shape you cut is important too, try to use the same ratio as you see in the tutorial. I'm not sure how a different colour of foam would affect your results. I don't think it would as long as it is still opaque.
...and Go!



Very light pressure will mark the surface enough...




Cut inside of the line.
It is quite annoying trying to get the circle out of the lens front (later) so I would advise leaving a little "tag" that would allow you to grasp it and pull it out.



Check the fit...This is where the little tag would make things easier...


Find the centre and then draw half of the heart so that the centre point is in the middle of it...
For asymmetrical designs I used an exacto knife and it was okay. The edges were not as crisp as I would have liked and this is the instance where in may be better to use the over the camera paper hood type masks.










I hope this was clear!
Good Luck!
xoxox

18 comments:

kerin rose said...

thats so cool!....do you know you can pay lots of $ for these at www.lensbaby.com?....

yahoo! merci!

Janis said...

Wow, that is so great! I never knew about this before - wonderful tutorial :^) Happy weekend!

Angie Muresan said...

Oh my! I had no idea! Thank you for sharing this. I cannot wait to impress my hubby with it.

Line said...

ooh that's so cool I love it, what a great project!!!

MrsLittleJeans said...

Wow...this is cool! I know enough people have already said this : )

Shrink to Fit said...

Awesome! Great instructions! Very clear and love the way put it all together :)

xoxo
Tena

Ida/FarEastLogbook said...

Thank YOU!!!! Must try this!

Anonymous said...

It's great Andrea, very easy to follow and great results...Moma

et lille oejeblik - a little moment said...

thanks! i'll definitely have to play around with this - looks like so much fun :)

Anonymous said...

hi there! I just stubbled across your blog and I love it! You have great taste and this project looks really cool. I am following you on bloglovin and I'd be honored if you followed me :)

Julia
http://julialuckett.wordpress.com/

Don said...

Always good to learn- thanks for the tutorial.

Torilpia said...

I've just resently learned about bokeh. It creates fantastic pictures :o)

Hope you are having a great weekend and that you're doing wonderful.

I have just been watching Paralympics .. Ice-sledge-hockey from Vancouver .. and are still a little "high" I guess .. :o) My eldest daughter's father - is playing for Norway :o)

All the best and lots of hugs :o)

Ange said...

Top job there Andrea. Merci Mille fois!!

Pretty Things said...

Awesomeness!

Isabelle said...

thanks for the tuto ... results are great !!

Ngan {eNVe Designs} said...

What an awesome tutorial!! I've always wondered about bokeh and have not yet had the chance to find out more about it. I had no idea it was so much fun! I'm definitely trying this out the first chance I get. Thanks for sharing this with us! :)

~ngan

ps. I found you through Dennice's blog (fringe).

blue hour designs said...

Excellent tutorial! :)

I will definitely be trying this soon....

goosie-gander said...

fantastic tutorial, andrea
thank you so much for doing this for us!!!