Shaping bokeh in photography: the creative guide

Bokeh, often described as the “magic” of a blurred background, can be much more than just an aesthetic blur. Did you know you can give your bokeh a precise shape? Hearts, stars, triangles, letters… With a little technique and creativity, you can transform your blurred lights into true graphic elements.

In this article, discover how bokeh works, why it has a shape, and most importantly, how to easily customize it.

1. What exactly is bokeh?

The word bokeh comes from the Japanese word boke, which means "blur". In photography, it refers to:

• The aesthetic quality of the background blur
• The way in which the light points are rendered out of focus
• The transition between the clear and the unclear

Contrary to popular belief, bokeh does not depend solely on the aperture (f/1.8, f/1.4, etc.), but also:

• The number of diaphragm blades
• Of their shape
• The distance between the subject, the background, and the camera

2. Why does bokeh have a shape?

The small, blurry circles that we see behind a subject are actually a reproduction of the shape of the lens diaphragm.

• Round diaphragm → circular bokeh
• 5-blade diaphragm → pentagonal bokeh
• 7 or 9 blade diaphragm → softer, more rounded bokeh

👉 In other words: bokeh is literally the "shape of the opening" projected as a blur.

3. The principle for giving a personalized shape to the bokeh

The idea is simple and brilliant:

A mask cut with a precise shape is placed in front of the lens to force light to pass only through that shape.

Result :

All the blurry bright points in the background take the shape of the cut-out pattern.

4. The necessary equipment

Good news: you don't need professional equipment!

What you will need:

• A camera (DSLR, mirrorless)
• A fast lens (ideally f/1.8, f/1.4 or wider)
• A sheet of thick black paper or cardboard
• A box cutter or scissors
• Scotch tape or an elastic band
• A point source of light (string lights, lamps, candles)

5. How to make a homemade bokeh filter (DIY)

Here is the step-by-step method:

1. Cut out a circle the size of the diameter of your lens
2. Cut out a shape in the center:
   • heart ❤️
   • star ⭐
   • triangle ▲
   • flake ❄️
3. Position the mask in front of the lens
4. Place your subject away from the background.
5. Create a background with small lights (the fairy lights from your Christmas tree are perfect!)
6. Open your diaphragm to the maximum

🎯 Result: all the blurred lights take the shape of the mask.