Blurring is more than just a technical effect – it can add atmosphere, depth and personality to images. In this workshop, Daniel Spohn will show you how to use sharpness and bokeh to create expressive portrait, macro and landscape shots.
Anyone can be sharp – character is created in the blurred area. We all know these pictures: technically perfect, razor sharp – and yet they don’t stick. They don’t tell us anything, they don’t move us, they seem interchangeable. Because what makes a picture really special often lies not in the focal point, but beyond it.
Atmosphere is created in the blurred areas. This is where it is decided whether a picture has depth, radiates calm or creates tension. This is exactly where the creative work begins. In this seminar, you will learn how to use the supposedly incidental in a targeted way to give your pictures depth, atmosphere and a clear visual language.
Photo trainer and biologist Daniel Spohn takes you into a world in which blurring is no longer a side effect, but a consciously used creative tool. You will learn not to leave the bokeh to chance, but to actively shape it – for pictures that work.
Daniel dispels some common myths: It’s not about creating as much blur as possible, but the right amount. You will learn how foreground and background behave differently, how light sources and structures outside the plane of focus shape your image – and how to use these effects in a targeted manner.
Whether soft and dreamy or rich in contrast and dynamic: bokeh can calm, direct and tell a story. It can create context or deliberately reduce it. And it can turn a good photo into a strong image.
Using numerous examples from nature, macro, portrait and landscape photography, Daniel Spohn shows you how versatile blur can be used – and how you can get the most out of your existing equipment.
What you will learn in the seminar
- A completely new look at the role of blurring
- Practical techniques for convincing bokeh – regardless of the system
- Concrete approaches for stronger image statements and better visual guidance
- Inspiration for your own image ideas beyond classic cropping
Your goal after the seminar
This seminar is an invitation to see photography in a new way: away from pure sharpness and towards images with feeling, depth and personality.
About Daniel Spohn
Daniel Spohn combines scientific expertise with a pronounced passion for nature photography. As a qualified biologist, he understands the interrelationships in ecosystems down to the last detail – knowledge that has a decisive influence on his photographic work. His images are created with patience, respect and a keen sense for the right moment.
A particular focus of his work is on native wildlife, especially bird and macro photography. He succeeds not only in creating aesthetically impressive images, but also in telling stories about behavior, habitats and the protection of nature.
In his workshops, Daniel Spohn teaches practical photographic techniques as well as in-depth background knowledge from the field of biology. Participants benefit from his trained eye for motifs, his understanding of light and behavior as well as numerous tips from photographic practice.
Seminar information
- Speaker: Daniel Spohn
- Suitable for: Beginners and advanced photographers who want to take their image composition to the next level and consciously work with light, space and blur.
- Minimum number of participants: 25
- Maximum number of participants: 150
- What to bring: Nothing is needed – except possibly something to take notes with
- Duration: approx. 2.5 hours
- When: Friday, 02.10.26 from 16:00 to 18:30
- Where: Nuremberg Exhibition Center, NCC West, Room London, 2nd floor (barrier-free)
- Price: 59€
- Note: The price of the workshop includes a weekend trade fair ticket worth €25
Experience more at Imaging World 2026
Imaging World 2026 is much more than a single workshop: you can expect a whole weekend full of photography, content creation, video, creativity and inspiration – with exciting program items, strong brands and many opportunities to try out new things directly.
Your weekend ticket includes access to the entire trade fair:
- further workshops and events in the fields of photography, video, lighting, business and content creation
- exciting stage program with lectures, live talks and inspiration for your photography
- creative playgrounds where you can directly experience technology, sets and new image ideas
- leading exhibitors and brands from the photo and imaging industry
- Imaging World photo competition, where you can submit your best pictures
- Free camera check & clean for your equipment on site
This will turn your workshop visit into an entire trade fair experience: you will learn new techniques, gather creative ideas, test equipment, meet like-minded people and take home lots of inspiration.
Plan your personal Imaging World weekend now and discover all the highlights around workshops, stage, playgrounds, exhibitors, photo competition and free services.