Settings for Focused Subject and Blurred Background

reems

How can I focus on my subject and make the background blurred with the Nikon D3200? I'm very new to this camera, as I bought it just 5 days ago. :)

PBked

Hi @reems. It depends upon which lens you are using. More information please.

Moose

Howdy @reems - I'm assuming you have the 18-55mm kit lens? If so, it's going to be a bit difficult to get the silky smooth blur you're after.

Ideally, you would want to shoot with a 'brighter/faster' lens like the 35mm f/1.8G or the 50mm f/1.8G. Lenses with larger maximum apertures (lower f-numbers) will give you a shallower depth of field (shorter area in focus) which produces smooth foreground/background blur.

To achieve this effect with the kit lens, you'll need to...

1. Shoot outdoors
2. Zoom all the way out to 55mm
3. Position your subject so that the background is at a distance
4. Get within 5 feet of your subject
5. Set your shooting mode to Aperture priority (A)
6. Set the f-number to f/5.6

This combination will give you the results you're after. All the best! :)

reems

Thanks a lot. I will share some trials.

unfaithful

I would not agree it is more difficult to get blur with the D3200.

A brighter, faster lens may be easier, but that does not mean it is very difficult with the kit lens. I did it indoors with a book and bookshelf in the background. The book was three feet from me, and the bookshelf was two feet behind. The nearest book was clear, and the books on the shelf were blurred.

http://cdn.imghack.se/images/85b57e6f3fd25e05c085f099bdcfd29b.jpg

http://cdn.imghack.se/images/84e2e4291b778ff4dd1f95688e3ccfa6.jpg

I have only had the camera a week and I do not fully understand how to use it.