How to Blur Background in Photoshop with Detailed Steps
Want to know how to blur background in Photoshop? Whether you're a beginner just starting with Photoshop or a photography enthusiast looking to enhance your image editing skills, this article will guide you step by step on how to master all the techniques for blurring backgrounds.
By Crystal Updated on July 31, 2025
Why blur the background in Photoshop?
The main purpose of blurring the background is to guide the viewer's attention to the main subject of the image. When you blur out the cluttered, complex, or irrelevant background elements, the audience's eyes will naturally be drawn to the clear subject. This principle of visual focus applies not only to professional photography but also to everyday social media posts, greatly enhancing the expressiveness of images.
On platforms like Instagram, high-quality photos are more likely to attract likes and shares. And photos with a blurred background are visually cleaner and more focused, greatly increasing viewers' dwell time and engagement.
So, if you are a content creator or an e-commerce seller, mastering how to blur background in Photoshop is a key step to enhancing the quality of your content.
How to blur background in Photoshop
Photoshop offers various blur filters, among which the most commonly used include:
- Gaussian Blur
- Field Blur
- Lens Blur
- Motion Blur
When performing the operation of how to blur background in Photoshop, we mostly use Gaussian Blur because it is easy to control and produces a natural effect. Field Blur is more suitable for simulating real lens depth of field and is ideal for images that require a gradient focus.
How to blur image in Photoshop step by step
1. Open Photoshop, open and select the photo you need to edit. It is recommended to choose a photo with a relatively clean background and prominent subjects, as the effect after blurring the background will be better.
2. Select the “Quick Selection Tool” or the “Magic Wand Tool” to roughly select the subject. You can adjust the brush size and hardness to get a more accurate selection.
3. Click on the “Select and Mask” button in the options bar. You can refine your selection. Once you are satisfied with the selection, click on the “OK” button to apply the selection.
4. Click on the “Select and Mask” button in the options bar. With the duplicated layer selected, go to “Filter” > “Blur” > “Gaussian Blur.” Adjust the radius slider to control the amount of blur. A higher value will result in a more pronounced blur effect.
5. Click on the “OK” button to apply the Gaussian Blur effect to the duplicated layer.
You can now adjust the opacity of the blurred layer to control the intensity of the background blur.
📢To use the "Lens Blur" filter to simulate the blur effect produced by a camera lens:
Go to “Filter” > “Blur” > “Lens Blur.”
In the “Lens Blur” dialog box, you can adjust various settings such as the “Radius,” “Vane Curvature”, and “Vane Count” to customize the blur effect.
Click on the “OK” button to apply the Lens Blur filter to the selected area.
📢To use the "Motion Blur” filter to create the illusion of movement in your image:
1. Go to “Filter” > “Blur” > “Motion Blur.”
2. Adjust the “Angle” and “Distance” sliders to control the direction and intensity of the blur.
3. Click on the “OK”.
How to blur the background using Photoshop on iPhone?
Many iOS users are concerned about one question: how to blur background in Photoshop on iPhone? Adobe offers Photoshop Express and Photoshop Mobile for iOS, which, although not as comprehensive as the desktop version, are sufficient for everyday editing.
1. Open Photoshop Express, select the image you want to edit.
2. Tap on the “Tools” >> “Blur” option.
3. You can choose between different blur types such as “Tilt-Shift,” “Radial,” and “Linear.” Select the type that best suits your needs.
4. Once you are satisfied with the result, tap on the “Save” button to save the edited photo.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, learning how to blur background in Photoshop is a valuable skill that can enhance the quality and impact of your images. Whether you are a professional photographer or a hobbyist, mastering the various techniques and tools available in Photoshop will allow you to create stunning visuals with ease. By following the step-by-step guides and tips provided in this article, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful, blurred background images in no time.
