Here’s how to get a blurry background effect with a DSLR

Afghan Girl, the 1984 portrait by photographer Steve McCurry, is arguably one of the most visually arresting images of all time. This image of a 12-year-old Pashtun orphan in a vivid red and turquoise green frame stands out for its ability to express a wealth of emotions by keeping the subject in sharp focus while the background is blurred out.

There are many examples of instantly recognisable pictures of famous people that show them with a blurred background. A blurred background adds softness to the photo allowing the main subject to stand out and it also creates a more professional output.

While such an effect has now become common with portrait mode on smartphones, the best result is still found only on digital SLR cameras. A DSLR camera with a large image sensor can create soft focus with a blurred background, also called as bokeh effect.

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When these cameras are paired with lenses having a large aperture, the results can be astounding with the subject in sharp focus while the background is smoothly blurred out. You don’t necessarily need to be a professional photographer to capture such an image, all you need is a DSLR camera and a quality lens. Here’s how to get a blurry background effect with a DSLR camera using simple steps:

Set the camera mode to Aperture-priority mode

The process of taking photos on a DSLR camera is essentially about managing exposure or managing the light that gets exposed to the image sensor. In order to get the exposure you want, there are essentially three main settings to adjust: shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.

In a DSLR camera, there are different modes to adjust those settings and one of those modes is aperture priority mode. With aperture priority mode, a photographer can select the aperture value while the camera automatically selects the right shutter speed and ISO based on how much light it detects.

A DSLR camera has a circular dial with several modes such as Auto, Portrait, Manual, Shutter, Aperture, etc. To select the aperture-priority mode, you need to rotate the dial until the white line or arrow points to the letter “A” or “Av” on the dial.

Select the smallest aperture number

An aperture is similar to a human iris and you can adjust it to control the light going through to the image sensor. It is measured in stops indicated with f numbers where a smaller f-stop number leads to a larger aperture letting in more light while a larger f-stop number results in a narrow aperture letting in less light.

For example, a large f-stop number such as f/32 will bring the background subject into focus while a smaller f-stop number like f/1.8 will isolate the background and only keep the subject in focus. Depending on the lens attached to the camera, you will be able to choose the f-stop number and to get a smooth blurred background, a smaller f-stop number such as f/1.4 is selected.

Distance

In addition to setting the camera to aperture-priority mode and choosing the smallest f-stop number, you should also know how to select the distance between the subject and background. In order to capture an image with sharp details, you should always ensure that the distance between the subject and the background is greater.

By placing the subject and the background in the right position, you will get an image with a smooth blurred background, where the light portion of the background is either rounded or softened. While this is not a thumb rule, per se, it is recommended to play around with the distance depending on the lens you have fitted to the camera.

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This is an artistic endeavour and there is no right or wrong method to choose. The ideal result will ensure that all your subjects fit within the frame of the sensor. For the best portrait or macro photography, you will have to move closer and focus on the subject while the background is further away.

Focal length

The lenses used to capture portraits are usually prime lenses with a fixed focal length. A short focal length will result in a wide angle of view, keeping both the foreground and the background in focus. In order to blur the background, a lens with a long focal length or a various focal length is recommended. You can also zoom in on your subject to narrow the angle of view, which will result in more background blur.

Next time when you wish to capture a photo of your friend or out taking macro photos, set the mode dial on your DSLR camera to aperture priority mode and experiment with the distance between your subject and the background to get those professional-quality photos with a smooth blurred background. Don’t forget to choose the smallest aperture number.