Bokeh. (bow-kay)
You’ve seen those great pictures where the subject is in complete focus, but everything else is out of focus. When light is present in that out of focus background, the light becomes beautiful starburst-type fragments of light. The out-of-focus light in the background is called bokeh.
Bokeh done properly is beautiful.
The bokeh effect is difficult to achieve. The focal length of the lens along with the amount of light entering the lens determines the bokeh effect. Typically, you need a long lens that can shoot wide-open apertures like f/2.8 or greater. It basically means that the lens is taking in as much light as possible, while also keeping the focus on the subject.
As focus is achieved on the main subject, everything else in the photo becomes out of focus. The things in the foreground and background can become out of focus. The most beautiful pictures are the ones where the subject is in focus and everything else is out of focus. Why?
Bokeh done properly brings clarity.
When bokeh is achieved, your eyes naturally drift to the most important part of the photograph. When everything in the photograph is in focus, the eyes can become overwhelmed with the various parts of the image.
A life with focus brings clarity.
The writer of Hebrews wrote about fixing our eyes on Jesus, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The goal is to run our race with endurance. The example of endurance is the life and ministry of Jesus, who endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of the father. So how should we respond to the call for endurance and the example provided by Jesus? We focus our attention and our life on Him.
He brings focus to our life.
Bokeh done properly is beautiful. What’s even more beautiful than a photograph is a life focused on Christ. The Christ-focused life brings clarity to all areas of your life. Relationships are brought into and out of focus as needed. School and work are brought into and out of focus as needed. Desires and ambitions are brought into and out of focus as needed.
How can you focus your life on Christ?
- When it comes to God, set your aperture wide open. Let as much light in through reading your Bible, praying, and worshipping with a Bible-believing congregation.
- When it comes to life, make sure your focal length is set appropriately. Move away from certain things in the world that distort your view of Christ; move closer to Christ. Most photographers agree that the best zoom mechanism is your feet. Move away from the world and move closer to Christ.
