How to Create Custom-Shaped Bokeh-Learn Pro Photography

The shape that a small spot of light will take in

a blurry area of a photograph usually depends

on the shape of the lens’ aperture. Some lenses

create bokeh that is completely round and

others create bokeh that is polygonal. With a

few simple craft supplies, you can create bokeh

that is heart-shaped, star-shaped, or any shape

you wish.

To do this, you will need to create a lens hood

with black paper, scissors, a pencil, and tape.

1. Trace the circumference of the side of the

lens that you’d place a filter with a pencil on

black paper and cut out the solid black circle

shape from the paper.

2. In the middle of the circle, draw the shape

that you want your bokeh to be (heart, star,

etc.) and cut it out of the circle while keeping

the circle’s edge intact. To do this, poke a hole

with the end of the scissors and then cut out

the shape.

3. Next, cut a long, rectangular strip of black

paper out and bend it around the circumference

of the circle. Cut any extra length off the strip if

you need to. Secure the strip to the circle with

tape all around the edge to prevent any light

getting in from the crack.

That’s it! Your lens hood should fit snugly over

the end of your lens for quick use when you

want to use it.

The more intense the spots of light in the blurry

area of the photo are, the more sharp the bokeh

will be. Holiday or Christmas lights are a great

source of light for shaped bokeh.