Bokeh according to Japanese people

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM for Canon

07/05/2006 10:42:26 PM · #1

Ok, I noticed that there was some discussion on the word Bokeh, so I thought I would do some of my own research... and share it of course :).

I have a number of Japanese friends, some of whom are quite technically aware (one of them is a foreman working on the High Speed Rail project for Taiwan). I asked them about the word 'Boke'.

Boke means out of focus, blurry. To the point of obscuring detail and impairing recognizability. It indicates that something is more than a little out of focus (if it is just a little out of focus, they use the word 'pinboke').

I asked about further meanings, such as relate to the quality of the out of focus and I was quite specific and detailed in my questions.

They all agreed that there was no further meaning. Just OOF.

Because the people asked were specifically not photographers, this can be taken as the 'layperson's definition'. I did not ask any Japanese photographers... If I did, I would hope to meet one that had little understanding of English, so the definition could be understood as purely as possible from the Japanese language without outside influence.

Please note therefore, that this is not a definitive photographic definition of the word that has had an 'h' added to it, presumably along with other definitions...

I am only relating the meaning of the Japanese word from which 'bokeh' is derived for those who happen to be interested but don't have any handy Japanese people handy.

I hope it's informative!

coronamv

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

07/05/2006 10:50:44 PM · #2

Interesting I asked my mother who is from Yokohama and she indicated bokeh comes from the word bokashi which means exactly what you said..So we agree that it does mean just that OOF

07/05/2006 10:54:31 PM · #3

Yes. While my definition is compiled from a number of different Japanese people, they all seemed to agree on the definition. Almost no variance from person to person.

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/05/2006 11:39:09 PM · #4

In French, "spleen" means melancholy. It does not mean an organ. Does that mean if we have a spleen challenge we can't use organs?

fotomann_forever

07/05/2006 11:47:47 PM · #5

Originally posted by posthumous:

In French, "spleen" means melancholy. It does not mean an organ. Does that mean if we have a spleen challenge we can't use organs?

Some organs make me melancholy.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

07/06/2006 08:15:08 AM · #6

Originally posted by posthumous:

In French, "spleen" means melancholy. It does not mean an organ. Does that mean if we have a spleen challenge we can't use organs?

?

I think I did mention that the definition I listed is the basic definition, not the photography specific definition...

I don't think this has any bearing on what people can or cannot enter into challenges. Just here to satisfy the curiosity of anyone who might want to know where things come from.

methinks it may be time for you to spend less time in the autopsy room? ;)

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/06/2006 11:58:51 AM · #7

Originally posted by eschelar:

methinks it may be time for you to spend less time in the autopsy room? ;)

I find it much more efficient than a GP.

Pedro

Nikon D200

07/06/2006 12:13:26 PM · #8

in the photographic sense bokeh is something that's often present, but not always desireable. the quality of the blur - the milky smooth texture and pleasing aesthetics are the key. better quality lenses with more blades tend to produce more spherical points of light which is thought to be better bokeh (less spherical aberration).

sometimes if i'm shooting after a few adult beverages I got a whole photo of bokeh...subject and all...but it's less than pleasing to look at :)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/06/2006 11:49:05 PM · #9

I noticed that there are actually a few definitions of that kicking around after the Bokeh II challenge.

I tend more towards that definition as well Pedro.

dunnewold

Canon EOS-30D

07/07/2006 12:06:12 AM · #10

Interesting, Keiran.

Slightly off-topic, but I thought I'd throw this in:
How is bokeh pronounced? Namely, where is the accent placed? I've only encountered it in text form (perhaps too much time on dpc; not enough time out and about).

I'm logging out soon, so I'll not have time to thank whomever may answer my question. So I'm thanking you now.

Luke

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

07/07/2006 12:09:18 AM · #11

bow (like a violin bow) keh is how i say it.