Definition
Bokeh (from the Japanese word for 'blur' or 'haze') refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph or video, particularly the way a lens renders points of light as soft, circular discs. Pleasing bokeh — smooth, rounded, and evenly distributed — is a hallmark of high-quality prime lenses with wide maximum apertures. For creators, achieving strong bokeh requires a fast lens (f/1.4–f/2.8), a subject close to the camera, and a distant background. Bokeh is a key visual element in portrait photography, product videos, and cinematic content.