bokehkaraktär

Bokeh character, or bokehkaraktär in Swedish usage, refers to the qualitative appearance of out-of-focus areas in a photograph. It describes how background and foreground blur renders, including the smoothness, shape, and texture of highlights as the subject remains sharp. The character is influenced by lens design, aperture setting, focal length, subject and background distances, and sensor size.

Several factors shape bokeh character. The shape and smoothness of out-of-focus highlights are largely determined by the aperture diaphragm: more circular openings and a higher number of blades tend to produce rounder, creamier blur; fewer blades or mechanical limitations can yield polygonal or uneven highlights. Optical design and aberrations also matter; spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism can create creamy, swirly, or busy bokeh, depending on how a lens handles light at wide apertures. Lens elements, coatings, and the presence of aspherical components can further influence blur quality. Focal length and focusing distance play a role as well: longer lenses and closer focusing typically enhance background blur, and the distance between subject and background affects how pronounced the bokeh appears.

Bokeh character is a subjective measure and frequently discussed in reviews and among photographers. It is commonly described as creamy or harsh, smooth or busy, and is evaluated differently depending on genre and technique. The concept helps photographers choose lenses for portraiture, macro work, or creative blur effects. The term originates from the Japanese word boke, meaning blur or haze, and has become a standard descriptor in discussions of lens performance.