DIY Filters for Shaped Bokeh

When I bought my prime lens two years ago, it was really because it was going for cheap online.  I didn't really know what to do with it, and the lack of zoom annoyed me to no end!  However, I discovered the magic of bokeh (along with the other perks of the prime) and now that lens is permanently stuck on my camera body.

For this DIY Friday (which hasn't been run very consistently - sorry about that!), rather than a fashion-related project, here's a quick and easy camera-based project for you to try.

SHAPED BOKEH 

(yup, done to death on those trusty camera forums)

How to get those pretty shapes without having to fake it on your iPhone.

What you'll need:

Pencil, scissors, tape, ruler, and black paper (preferably heavier paper)

Trace your filter (or use a protractor to make a circle ~1mm smaller in diameter). 

Find the centre of the circle, and trace a smaller circle in which your shape will be cut out of.  To find the size of this smaller circle (which corresponds to the maximum aperture size of the lens you're using):

1. Take the focal length of the lens which you want to use - in my case, this was 50mm

2. Divide the focal length by the smallest aperture value of your lens - f/1.8 for me

In my case, the maximum aperture of my 50mm f/1.8 lens would be ~28mm.  

Therefore my shape would have to be smaller than this.

Read more here if you're confused.

Cut out your shape, and then cut out the big circle, being sure to leave a small tab.  This will make it easier to remove the piece of paper from your filter.

Fit the circle into your filter - it might take a few tweaks to make sure it fits snugly.

Reinforce with some tape if you wish, then go shoot something!

The result:
(after about an hour of trying to get my dog to sit still enough for a photo)

Little stars and hearts!

Too easy, right?

xx T

P.S. If you look through Monday's post with a keen eye, you'll notice that many of the photos have shaped bokeh ;)