How to Create a Simple Bokeh Effect
Bokeh effect is nothing but the blurred part of the out-of-focus image. This effect is normally seen in the photography mostly around the light sources. In photography, this effect helps to focus on the object while making the background visually appealing. Today we are going to learn how to create the same beautiful effect in Photoshop. Before starting the tutorial let’s take a look at what we are creating.
Creating the Brush
Step 1: Open Photoshop and create new file
For creating the Bokeh effect, first we have to create a Bokeh Brush. So start with this.
Open Photoshop and create new file (File>New) with following details.
Step 2: Setting up the Brush
Now select the Elliptical Marque Tool (M) and draw a circle (Press Shift and Draw) to fit in the canvas. Go to Edit>Stroke and add the centered stroke of black with 5px. It will look like this.
Create a new layer (Shift + Ctrl + N) and (if you have deselected) (Ctrl + Click) the small thumbnail in the layers panel of the previous layer. Fill this new layer with black and change its opacity to 30%. Press (Ctrl + E) to merge the layers.
Step 3: Saving your new brush
Okay, we have created the brush. Now go to Edit>Define Brush Preset and give a name to your brush like Bokeh Effect and save it. You can now see the newly created brush in your Brush Panel (Windows>Brushes or F5).
Creating the Bokeh Effect
Step 4: Create a New File and Start editing
Create a new file (New>File) with the following details and create a new layer (Shift + Ctrl + N).
Select your brush from the Brushes panel (F5), change the foreground color to #0054a6 with a brush size of 40px. Now change the brush setting as follows.
Step 5: Creating the Bokeh
Draw some Bokeh circles with the above setting and change the opacity of the layer to 30%.
Step 6: Adding Blur Effect and more Bokeh circles.
Select the layer and go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. Add the blur with radius 5px.
Create a new layer (Shift + Ctrl + N). Select your brush and change the size to 91px. Draw some Bokeh circles on the new layer.
Add Gaussian Blur to this layer with 3px radius.
Step 7: Last step
Select the previous layer and add Gradient Map (Image>Adjustments>Gradient Map) or (Windows>Adjustments>Gradient Map) as shown below.
Now add you logo or name and you have successfully created a Beautiful Bokeh Effect.
You may play with different colors and create more awesome effects.
Join the discussion
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Many thanks
Sweet. Thanks for the tutorial. :/
Brilliant tutorial! I actually stumbled upon this site trying to find out what the bokeh effect was (I heard it mentioned on another forum).
I’m only really leaving a comment to say that your site header blew my mind. It’s so awesome that I actually spent about 5 minutes just looking at it and enjoying it!
I’ve bookmarked your site… I can’t wait to have a browse through when I get home from work!
Consider me inspiredologised!
- Will
Thanks for the tut! Been wondering about this one for a bit now! Made a similar kinda tut about the bendy shadows that everyone likes too, check it out if ya want: http://www.62design.co.uk/2010/11/get-the-look-give-your-website-extra-depth-using-subtle-shadows-and-glows/
Keep up the good work!
I just downloaded Photoshop cs5 for Mac (trial version) but I can’t find Elliptical Marque Tool (M). Can anyone help me?
Btw, I really like the tutorial!
Is there any way, this can be incorporated into photographs?
Nice effect! I was wondering how to use it for pictures as Irene L does in hers.
I´ve been trying to make them brighter and more shinny… could you help me?
Thank you!!!!
Oh, we will do some print design with bokeh effect for our furniture ads.
Hi Nikhil !
I love this Bokeh Effect , gonna try this very soon
Thanks for Share !!
~Avinash
Just as I said in previous comment — bokeh is cool and some simple effect.
nice tutorail. thank you for sharing.
liked your tutorial and posted your info on my blog:
http://valentinepiercedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/02/bokeh-effect.html
Cheers, bokeh is so hot right now – might as well get the most out of it and without having to fork out for it too – even better!
Simply is the best….
Nice tutorial! Thanks.
Thanks a million! just in time for a project!
Wonderful tutorial. I had always wondered how to do this effect, and to be honest, even more so, I wondered what it was actually called.
Easy but impressive. Thx for sharing!