Apeture Mask by Lee Hancock

First and foremost I’d like to clarify that I’m fairly new to photography, at least anything beyond your typical point and shoot. Aside from DPS most of my knowledge comes from what I’ve seen posted on Flickr. I’ve found solace in displaying my progress and receiving critiques of various new techniques I’ve picked up along the way.

The other day I came across pictures with a very unusually shaped bokeh. Hearts, stars, crosses, even mushrooms.

After a little searching I found the effect was achieved by using what’s called an aperture mask.

It’s literally nothing more than a piece of cardstock with a shape cut out of it. Placed on the end of a lens with a fairly large aperture you get a wonderful effect.

Learn more about Aperture Mask at Create Your Own Bokeh and The Aperture Mask Project.