When you like photography, it is pretty common to spend hours researching around the net, finding all sort of photo experimentations, especially via social networks. I met tons of people who were mighty obsessed with that pretty light effect where blurred lights appear in the background of a photo. The thing has a name and it is called Bokeh.
Experimenting with Bokeh
My general opinion on such cases is that you don’t need to abuse special effects when it is not needed (and it’s hardly needed). A clean photo, with a good sense of composition and an interesting subject works almost all the time. But Bokeh is great when you need to add a little sense of magic to your pictures. I find that it works very well when you want to add a special touch in still life compositions or even some portrait. As always it is a matter on what you want to obtain.
Ken Rockwell got a good explanation about what Bokeh is and how it should work. I found quite useful this tutorial by lieveheersbeestje as I often shot with a 50 mm (as in the photo above) or a 35 mm. Care for Macro Photography? This is a great tutorial.
