{"id":168473,"date":"2021-05-26T09:41:23","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T07:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=168473"},"modified":"2025-07-01T21:05:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T04:05:41","slug":"how-to-blur-the-background-in-adobe-photoshop-in-4-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-blur-the-background-in-adobe-photoshop-in-4-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Blur the Background in Adobe Photoshop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you ever get jealous of photos with crisp focal points and blurred backgrounds? You don\u2019t need too much knowledge of Adobe Photoshop<\/a> to get it on your photos! This article dives into one of the methods of blurring a background using this powerful program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, of course, you need to open the photo from File > Open. For a first try, you can choose an image with a crisp foreground and background distinction. A person or an object closer to a lens and a lovely backdrop will work. Using this technique requires a basic knowledge of layers and masks in Photoshop.<\/p>\n\n\n

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  1. Duplicate the picture on a new layer<\/h2>\"How

    Once you have the picture open, make a copy layer of the photo. This way, you\u2019ll be able to make a different set of changes on each layer and put the whole thing together for the finished product.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  2. Mask the subject on the top layer<\/h2>\"How

    After the previous step, you\u2019re left with two identical layers. Turn off the one on the bottom to have it out of the way. On the one that\u2019s on top, select the subject you want to stay sharp.<\/span><\/p>\n

    This step can be accomplished using one of the selection tools: Quick Mask, Lasso, Magnetic Lasso, Magic Wand, or ultimately, the Pen. Once done, invert the selection and delete the rest of the layer and refine the edges. You can make the remaining picture a tad larger and apply blur on the edges to ensure its smooth transition to the background when you turn on the bottom layer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  3. Blur the second layer<\/h2>\"How

    Use one of the blur options (Tilt Shift, Field Blur, Gaussian blur, etc.) to apply the desired effect on the bottom layer. Photoshop gives you more than a dozen filters you can play with. Once you reach the desired effect, it\u2019s time to move to the next step.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  4. Turn on the foreground layer and adjust<\/h2>\"How

    The finished product will come together as you turn on the mask layer. You\u2019re likely to see some imperfections there. Make the last touches and export.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ol><\/div>