Digital BW, The Print

Jerry writes:

> Good God Austin, who cares what an out of focus
> area looks like?

If large areas of the image are significantly out of focus, as they might be
for the background of a portrait shot with a long lens, a pleasing character
in the out of focus areas is important in order to avoid distracting the
viewer.

> I only learned there actually was such a thing
> as bokeh about a year ago. Imagine!!! 45 years as
> a professional photographer and I'd never heard
> about it. Ever.

I'll keep this in mind when reading your praise of digital, then.

> I bet they do! How is it that no one ever wrote
> about it for the last 45 years or so?

It depends on what you read, I guess.

> How come you've never seen an ad for a camera
> lens bragging about it's great bokeh?

I don't recall ever seeing advertisements for camera lenses, except the
cheapos.  I suppose the best lenses are occasionally advertised, but it
seems to be much more discreet.  If a photographer is really interested in
the best lenses, I doubt that he picks them based on the best magazine
advertisement he can find.