How to Blur Background in Photoshop | Quick and Easy Methods

Blurring the background in a photo is a popular technique that helps eliminate distractions and encourages focus on the foreground element. Whether you're working on a portrait, a product shot, or a creative project, knowing how to blur the background in Photoshop can be incredibly useful.

In this article, we'll guide you through using Photoshop to blur images in different ways with straightforward steps.

All you need to know to blur the background in Photoshop

The blur effects in the backgrounds of photos and videos can serve various purposes. Photoshop provides various tools and techniques to achieve this effect, making it easy to enhance your images. Whether you're new to photo editing or have some experience, these methods will help you blur the background in Photoshop effectively.



Overview of Adobe Photoshop background blur types

Adobe Photoshop offers various ways for blurring backgrounds, allowing you to create stunning, professional-looking photos. Here are 5 key types that make it easy to blur the background in Photoshop:

1. Gaussian blur
2. It is a basic yet effective tool that applies a smooth blur effect to your selected area, perfect for creating a subtle background blur.
3. Lens blur
4. This feature mimics the effect of a shallow depth of field, adding a realistic blur that simulates what a camera lens would produce.
5. Field blur
6. Offers control points that you can place on your image to create varying degrees of blur, providing a more customized and dynamic blur effect.
7. Iris blur
8. It allows you to make a circular or elliptical blur around a focal point, with adjustable settings for the intensity and shape of the blur.
9. Surface blur

It targets the surface areas of an image while preserving edges, which is ideal for maintaining the clarity of your subject while blurring the background.

5 tools for selecting backgrounds in Photoshop

There are many photo editing tools in Adobe Photoshop to blur backgrounds online that are crucial for applying blur effects accurately. Here are the 5 most essential tools in both online and offline versions of Photoshop to make precise selections:

• Quick selection tool
• This tool allows users to paint over specific areas they want to select, automatically expanding the selection by detecting edges and similar colors. It's especially useful for quickly selecting backgrounds that clearly distinguish from the subject.
• Magic wand tool
• Using the Magic Wand tool, you can click on a color area, and Photoshop will select all contiguous pixels of similar color. This tool is ideal for backgrounds with a uniform color or texture, such as solid-color backdrops or simple gradients.
• Lasso tool
• The Lasso tool enables you to make a freehand selection around the area you want to choose from. You can trace around irregular shapes and edges with more control, making it suitable for backgrounds that are less uniform or have intricate details.
• Pen tool
• The Pen tool creates precise paths that can be converted into selections. You can draw detailed and smooth curves, making it perfect for backgrounds with complex shapes. Moreover, this tool is highly effective for ensuring accuracy in your selections, especially around detailed subjects.
• Select subject
• This feature uses Adobe's AI technology to automatically detect and select the image's main subject. It's highly effective for quickly isolating the subject from the background, even in complex scenes with varying colors and textures.

5 different approaches to blur background with Photoshop

When it comes to blurring the background in your photos, Photoshop offers several effective approaches. Each method provides different levels of control and personalization, allowing you to get the exact look you want. Here are 5 different ways to blur photo backgrounds in Photoshop:

1. Using layers

Blurring the background in Photoshop using layers is a straightforward method that allows for precise control. It involves creating a copy of your image, applying a blur effect to the background layer, and refining the selection. It's perfect for achieving a smooth, professional look.



How to make the background blurry in Photoshop using layers

Here is how to blur the background in Photoshop using layers:

1. Open Photoshop, right-click the background layer, and choose "Duplicate Layer" to create a copy of your image.
2. Use a selection tool to carefully outline your subject and refine the selection as needed.
3. Click "Add Layer Mask" to hide the background on the duplicated layer, isolating your subject.
4. After selecting the background layer, go to "Filter > Blur" and choose your blur effect, adjusting the settings to your preference.
5. Now, use a soft brush on the layer mask to smooth the transition between the blurred background and the sharp subject.

2. Bokeh blur

Bokeh blur is a technique that mimics the soft, out-of-focus areas created by camera lenses with a shallow depth of field. This effect adds an attractive, smooth blur to the background of your image, making the subject stand out more. Furthermore, it creates a pleasing, creamy background with distinctive shapes and highlights.



How to blur the background of a picture in Photoshop using Bokeh blur

Here is how to blur a photo background in Photoshop using "Bokeh Blur":

1. Use a selection tool to isolate the background area from your subject.
2. Copy the selected background to a new layer.
3. Go to "Filter > Blur Gallery > Bokeh Blur" and adjust the settings for the desired effect.
4. Use the on-screen controls to fine-tune the blur and bokeh shape.

3. Gaussian blur

Gaussian blur is a common way to create a smooth, even blur effect by blending the colors of pixels in the selected area. This method is great for softening sharp details and smoothing out backgrounds to draw focus on the main subject. This versatile tool can be adjusted to achieve blur levels, making it a popular choice for many photo editing tasks.



How to create a blurred background in Photoshop with Gaussian blur

Here is how to create a blurred background in Photoshop with Gaussian blur:

1. Right-click the background layer and select "Duplicate layer."
2. Use a selection tool to choose the area you want to blur.
3. Go to "Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur" and adjust the radius to control the blur intensity.
4. Use layer masks to clean up any areas where the blur might have affected the subject.

4. T-shift blur

Tilt-shift blur creates an effect similar to using a tilt-shift lens, which focuses sharply on a specific area while blurring the rest. It makes parts of your photo appear more focused and detailed while creating a soft blur around the edges. Moreover, it is often used to make images look like miniature scenes or to highlight specific areas.



How to blur the background of a photo in Photoshop with T-shirt blur

Below are the steps to blur the background in Adobe Photoshop with T-shift blur:

Step
1. Launch the software and use a selection tool to isolate the background area.
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2. Copy the background to a new layer.
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3. Go to "Filter > Blur Gallery > Tilt-Shift Blur" and adjust the focus and blur areas.
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4. Finally, fine-tune the blur gradient and sharpness to achieve the desired effect.

5. Iris blur

Iris blur adds a circular or elliptical blur effect, similar to how a camera lens aperture works. This method highlights a central point in the image while gradually blurring the surrounding area. This effect is excellent for creating a depth-of-field effect, drawing attention to the subject, and giving the background a smooth, lens-like quality.



How to blur the background of photos in Photoshop using Iris blur

Here is how to blur a background in Adobe Photoshop using Iris Blur:

Step
1. Upload the image and use a selection tool to isolate the background.
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2. Then click on the picture and duplicate the background layer.
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3. Go to "Filter > Blur Gallery > Iris Blur" and set the focus point and blur amount.
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4. Use the on-screen controls to refine the shape and intensity of the blur effect.

Bonus tips: Enhance video focus with background blur using CapCut

CapCut desktop video editor is among the best platforms for enhancing your videos by fine-tuning them and providing a more focused look by precisely blurring their background. Its easy-to-navigate interface allows you to blur specific areas easily while keeping the subject in sharp focus. Whether creating a professional video or just looking to add a creative touch, CapCut makes it simple to achieve an engaging result.



Key features

Following are some of the features of the CapCut desktop video editor that can help you to precisely blur backgrounds in your videos:

• Precise masking
• Allows accurate subject selection to apply background blur precisely, ensuring clean edges and a natural look.
• Keyframe animation
• Add keyframes to the blur effect over time, which is perfect for moving subjects or changing focus areas.
• Easy overlay
• It facilitates the layering of video effects, making it simple to apply and adjust background blur without affecting the main subject
• Customizable blur
• It provides control over the intensity and style of the blur, allowing you to tailor the effect to your specific needs
• 4K quality output
• Ensures that the background blur effect maintains high resolution and clarity, enhancing the overall quality of your video.

How to create blurry video backgrounds in CapCut

To start creating blurry video backgrounds in the CapCut desktop video editor, download it by clicking the button below. Once downloaded, open the installer file to begin the installation process. After installation, you can launch CapCut and edit your videos with background blur effects.

Step
1. Upload the video
2. Open the CapCut desktop video editor and create a new project. Import your video file by dragging it into the media library or using the import option. Drag the video onto the timeline to start editing.
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4. Blur and adjust the video background
5. To blur the background, select your video in the timeline and duplicate it to a new layer (right-click> copy> paste). Next, go to the "Effects" tab and apply the "Blur" effect to video layer 2, adjusting the blur intensity to your liking.
6. Now, click on the video in layer 1 and enable "Auto removal" from the right panel. This will separate your subject from the background, creating a stunning blur effect in the background. Finally, refine your video by adjusting colors, adding transitions, and applying additional grading to enhance your project.
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8. Export and share

Once satisfied with the blurred background, click the "Export" button. Choose 1080p resolution to ensure your video's clarity and quality. Save the video to your desired location and share it as needed.



Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to blur the background in Photoshop can enhance your images by emphasizing the foreground and background subjects. Whether you use layers, bokeh blur, or other methods, each approach allows you to achieve a smooth and visually appealing effect. Moreover, it is important to choose the method that best fits your project and to adjust the settings for the perfect blur.

However, if you are working with videos, the CapCut desktop video editor offers a user-friendly solution to achieve similar background blur effects. With its precise tools and easy-to-use features, you can create stunning blurred backgrounds in your video projects, adding a touch of professionalism and focus to your content.

FAQs

1. How to blur only one part of an image in Photoshop?
2. To blur only one part of an image in Photoshop, use the Lasso tool to select the area you want to blur. Once selected, go to "Filter > Blur" and choose your preferred blur effect, like a Gaussian blur. Adjust the blur intensity to achieve the desired effect. For video projects, the CapCut desktop video editor offers similar features to easily blur specific areas.
3. How to create an image background dreamy in Photoshop?
4. You can duplicate your image layer and apply a "Gaussian Blur" from "Filter" > "Blur" to create a dreamy background in Photoshop. Adjust the blur to soften the background. Then, use the layer mask to paint over the areas you want to remain sharp. Moreover, tools like the CapCut desktop video editor can be used to get the same effects in videos with high precision.
5. Is there any way to fade images into the background in Photoshop?
6. Yes, to fade images into the background in Photoshop, you can use the "Gradient Tool." Create a layer mask on your image layer, select the gradient tool, and apply a gradient from black to white on the mask. This will smoothly fade parts of the image. What's more, you can employ the CapCut desktop video editor to blend and fade elements into the background for videos.