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Lately, I've been slightly obsessed with photos that are both in and out of focus. By blurring certain objects, you call attention to only what you want and as a result you create a fuzzy background. There's actually a word for this - it's bokeh.

As Lifehacker states:
"The term bokeh is an anglicized version of a Japanese word used to describe the portion of a photograph that is out of focus behind the area of principal focus in a picture. When you see a portrait that has a creamy soft background and a nice crisp focus on the person being photographed, you are seeing bokeh. The shape of the highlights—sometimes round, hexagonal or other geometric shapes—is determined by the shape of the aperture in the lens."

Though you can read more about bokeh on any number of photography websites, the concept can best be explained and appreciated by examples. Only then can you understand this amazing technique. It's how a cup of tea turns into a magical elixir, how a city street becomes a movie scene, and how Christmas comes alive.

I hope you enjoy 25 of my favorite bokeh photos from around the web!

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Tags: bokeh, magical, photo, photography, photos

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Lyman Comment by Lyman on March 26, 2010 at 12:41am
All i can say is WOW!
billy Comment by billy on December 3, 2009 at 3:20pm
never thought of doing this on purpose, but can't wait to try it out myself. thanks for sharing!
Kendall Erin Comment by Kendall Erin on December 3, 2009 at 2:49pm
Really seems to show the young generations reacting to the holidays. I love it.
Annie Comment by Annie on December 3, 2009 at 7:27am
so cool! i love the ones with the kids--so playful, so sweet....=)
Inka Leoni Comment by Inka Leoni on December 3, 2009 at 3:47am
The one with the droplets of light seemingly falling onto the spoon catches my eye. It really plays with the focus...effectively creating a playful story. My mind allows me to imagine a sound to go with those falling droplets, bouncing off the metal spoon. Magical...
Vahe Comment by Vahe on December 3, 2009 at 1:46am
mmm, magic=)
Sebastian Collier Comment by Sebastian Collier on December 2, 2009 at 10:47pm
These are fabulous
Mark Huckabee Comment by Mark Huckabee on December 2, 2009 at 5:16pm
very, very nice. I never really thought about this type of forced focus / out-of-focus as a style before. I'll have to remember that name -- bokeh.
sAm Comment by sAm on December 2, 2009 at 2:02pm
Love the snowman, these are great!
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